Make Music on your Computer now!

For all the talk of Cubase and Reason and the massive price tags attached, when it comes to getting kids started with music Sony Acid Music Studio can be a great way to start. 

A free limited version of this is available here and is called Acid Express. You will need to register, but this is free and quick to do.

Have a look on Amazon for educational copies of the paid version and then simply get hold of some sample CD's (or look round the web to download some (try http://www.acidplanet.com/ for some free loop 8 packs)  and basic music creation is seconds away.

Although this program is great for begginers mixing loops, midi can also be easily introduced and with a decent mic and the right leads vocals and instruments can be recorded with very good quailty and easily be mixed and edited.

Other programs such as Fruity Loops, Reason, Nuendo, Cubase etc may also be worth looking at, can be much harder for the novice to work with. Different people want different things from music programs so you may wish to do some extra research on the web.

Sony also do a great video editing program called Vegas Movie Studio Search on the web for an educational licence if you think you might qualify, as these can be much cheaper.

Resources for Learning Centres / Home Education

If kids or adults have got switched off from the core subjects then this will cause real problems with reintegration back into mainstream education.

One site I have used with a good deal of success is the edexcel test site. Level 1 in application of number and communication tests are worth 1/4 of a GCSE each and Level 2's Worth 1/2.

This is the link for some edexcel practice tests

The maths paper is a non calculator test, but candidates are allowed to use a pen and paper to help work out answers and this I believe is in some way key to building up the learners confidence. If the learner has a reasonable understanding of percentages, averages (mean, median, mode and range), fractions, ratios, area, scale and basic algebra then the level one test should be quite easy. If they do not but they do have a reasonable ability to work with numbers then it can be relatively easy to teach them the above concepts to a level needed to complete the level one test.

For the level 2 test a greater understanding of the above mentioned concepts are needed, but in working with the learner to solve problems with paper and pen that they previously thought to be unsolvable can be greatly rewarding for both them and you.

The beauty of the level 2 test is that problems appear quite tricky at times, but if broken down into a number of mathmatical stages, really are not too bad. In order to guide a student through learning the skills needed to complete one of these tests, to me it seems important to first have a good understanding of each question and an entusiasm for explaining how to solve it in the easiest way possible. Almost help the kids to feel like they are cheating by using your hints and tips.

With both testsget the learner to take their time to check each possible answer. They are multiple choice so getting them to look past the first answer they think is right and eliminate the others for sure can be tricky, but again is another life skill that is too good not too pass on.

I work hard with pupils to get them to realise that they are giving their brain a work out and are learning new skills that could change their future. It is often this enthusiasm and guidance that can tip the balance from them saying stuff is hard and they hate doing it to them becoming excited and motivated about the small measurable, achieveable, realistic targets (smart) that they are hitting.

U2Learn.com our free learning and revision site has plenty of other free and fun links to help inspire and guide learning. Please explore our site to find which resources out on the web could help you and your learners progress.

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A Level Sociology

Sociology.org provides fantastic A-Level revision materials

Check the U2learn GCSE Sociology Page for more great links

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GCSE Sociology Links

Sociology Learning Support provides fantastic GCSE summary quizzes and jigsaws.
Check the U2learn GCSE Sociology Page for more great links

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Make GCSE French Revision Easy

French can either feel like a pleasure or a chore to learn. With the right websites however it can get much easier. If you want a great place to get started on your GCSE French Revision then try Bitesize and S-Cool to get you started

Check the U2Learn subject pages for more great links

Be a Maths Genius

Everyone has their strengths and weaknesses. Some people think they are rubbish at Maths and this can stop them learning.

If in doubt go back to basics try some KS3 Bitesize and if that is too hard move back to KS2
Another great site to test your skills and challenge your knowlege is the Edexcel level one and two tests in application of number. Level 1 is worth 1/4 of a GCSE and Level 2 is worth 1/2. Do these tests without a calculator, but use pen and paper to help you work them out. 40 multiple choice questions with a mark and feedback at the end. Great practice and a great mental workout.

Many people are happy to spend hours a day solving computer games. How about spending an hour a week cracking some maths problems?

Maths is simply addition, multiplication, subtraction and division. Master these foundations and then have some fun learning to solve problems using them.

The internet makes it possible for you to teach yourself. Use the links here on U2Learn to find out how!

Toddler Learning Games

Learning should be fun and can start at any age. Click here for some U2Learn toddler fun learning pages.

KS3 Maths Links

New Links Here

Please leave any links of interest as a reply to this post and they will also be added to our pages

Huge amount of free French learning resources

This site Zut Language Skills  contains a huge amount of resources for Year 7, 8 and 9 French.  The site is free outside of school hours (4pm - 9am)

Alternatively check our U2Learn KS3 French Page for lots more links.

Amazing Collection of French Learning Games

This really is a fantastic site - Click Here for a huge number of interactive French games ranging from KS3 to GCSE to A/S Level.

Please leave your comments on what you think about this site.

New KS3-French Links

Well it's been a long while since I have had a chance to update the KS3 French Revision Links Page , but over the next few weeks I will add links to new KS3 French Revision Resources and websites

If you have any links you would like added to this page then please leave them as a comment on this blog.

Copyright Free Public Domain Music For Use in School Projects!

Although many other people may use commercial songs in videos, powerpoints or slideshows it is usually going to be breaking copyright.

Trying to find completely free music that the author is happy for you to use completely free of charge is tough.

Here I will try and create a list of useful sites and eventually will start a collection of public domain, copyright free music that can be used by anyone.

Public Domain / Creative Commons / Free Music Sites

(please check each sites terms and conditions)

Incompetech           -  Add a credit and use music from this royalty free music collection
Derek R Audette - A fantastic site with creative commons music of his to download.
Dano Songs          -  Another great site with music that can be used if a credit is displayed


If you have any useful links or would like to donate some of your own music to this project, then please leave a comment or email me.

GCSE Art Links

Please Click Here for U2Learn GCSE Art links.

If you have any links you would like to add please leave them as a reply to this post.

How to Draw

Window to Art is a great site with both basic and more advanced tips.

Click here for the U2Learn GCSE Art pages for lots more useful and interesting links

Do you know of any other great art sites?

GCSE English Links

Click here for U2Learns Main GSCE English Links Page

Please post any additional links for note as comments to this post.

Link of the day - The stalk Eyed Fly

Saw this on BBC's life programme. Amongst much of the amazing animal footage; including dolphins catching fish by making them leap in the air and monkeys cracking nuts on rocks was the amazingly evolved stalk eyed fly

Download videos easily from youtube

Many teachers and students alike would like to know how to download videos off you tube and other video websites.

The easy answer is www.Keepvid.com 

Simply paste the URL of the youtube video into keep vid and then right click and choose 'save target as' for the download link.

They do offer a paid for converter etc, but the download feature is completely free.

When you download the file it will be an mp4 file.

Most modern media players will play this and if not, you may need to update your video codecs or convert the videos to wmv. I will update my video tricks and tips page shortly with more information.

Of course remember only to download copyright free material.

Online Slideshow Maker

I have been using Animoto for the last year or so now. It is an online slideshow maker. Simply upload your pictures and have it turn them into a video complete with your own or there copyright free music.

This can be a great tool for students and educators alike. 30 second clips are free, but longer mixes that you can save require a yearly subscription fee. However if like me it is something you might use a lot then it may be worth considering.

Can you educate yourself with the web?

Having worked in education for over 5 years now I am impressed with how much can be learned straight from the web.

This blog hopes to provide links for learners and educators alike and hopes to inspire and motivate any who read it.

Whatever your level of education, whatever your interests, this blog aims to show you more.