Audiotools

         Audiotools is a freeware music making program. Compared to the music producing giant FL Studio, it looks nothing like it. The format it provides however can be considered even better then FL Studio. With realistic recording studios and equipment, it feels like you are an actual studio recorder. Also the simplicity is very apparent to the start of entering the program. Audiotools in the end maybe even be the most useful freeware music producer ever.

         For Audiotools I give its simplicity a 4. Like I stated before, you are aware of the simplicity of the program from the start. It receives a 4 because every tool for beats or instruments is available from the start and even though you would probably have no clue what some of the tools would do, with a little bit of musical background you can guess correctly what some tools do.

          I give the appeal of this program a 5 because when you first open this program you are immediatly interested in to it without even knowing what it does. The variety of the realistic instruments and beats is also really appealing to the producer. The realness of all the knobs and hardware is also really appealing to the user too.

          The overall graphics of Audiotools is amazing. Instead of the average buttons and simple layouts similar to Microsoft Word, it goes all out by replicating an actual music recording studio. The shadows and textures of the hardware you get to pick from are almost popping out of the computer screen. The uniqeness and realistic graphics is definalty a major highlight of any computer program actually, and Audiotools definalty delivers that.

          The satisfaction of a song or beat you create is fairly good. And so is the reason why I give Audiotools a 4. The outcome of the song or beat is almost exactly how you wanted to be. But it receives a 4 because of the complexity of choosing from a wide variety of tools.

          Overall, I give Audiotools an 18 out of a 20. Even though it is in a very different format then the music-producing giant Fl Studio, it is more presentable and understandable to a 6th grader then its latter Linux Multimedia Studio. It may even be the most well-rounded freeware program for that matter.

Day 2 Investigation

Today I researched 2 websites that contain the freeware programs Linux Multimedia Studio and Audiotool.  I am looking for a program that is most like the highly used Fl Studio used by top of the line techno and alternative artists. I am looking for simplicity and which program looks more approachable to someone in 6th grade, and that exactly is what Audiotool shows. Now I just need a design story board of how to present it. 


The idea I am going to create is to make a techno song, by using either the programs Linux Multimedia Studio and Audiotool. Like I mentioned before, I am looking for a program that is similar to FL Studio. But even though Linux Multimedia almost looks and does exactly what FL Studio does. I am going with AUdiotools because

Area of Interaction: Community and Service , Approaches to Learning & Human Ingenuity

Significant Concept: Design Cycle can be used to solve problems

Unit Question: How can my learning help my community? How do I make Sound Choices?

INVESTIGATE: (Write in complete sentences) Identify the Problem

1. What is the problem you need to solve? Explain to a 6^th grader what the design cycle is all about by creating a presentation. (3d, PPT, movie, game, Poster)
I need to show a 6th grader how to use the design cycle by using a music producing program.

2. How does the Design Cycle apply to the real world?
You can use the Design Cycle to invent new items and ways of doing stuff in the real world.

3. How will this project serve my community?
It will show my community that the design cycle makes anything possible including the production of music.

4. How can my learning help my community?
I will make life and activities easier in everyday life in my community.

5. How do we live in relation to each other?
We live in relation to each other by doing the same stuff.

6. How does this help others?
It will make people think anything is possible with the design cycle.

7. What are the requirements for this assignment?
To flow the rubric to the last letter.

8. What is the Design Cycle?

REFLECT on your learning.

Day 2

9. Spend one day experimenting with DESIGN CYCLE your presentation. List five things your learned about the Design Cycle:

Day 3

Design Brief

10. Write a short statement of what you are going to make, why you are going to make it, and for whom you are making it. 
I am going to make a design project to show 6th graders how to use the design cycle. I am going to make a techno/beat song using the freeware program Audiotools. 

Formulate a Design Specification

11. What are the requirements for this assignment?
The requirements for this assignment is to receive a score of 6 (100). TO also give a thorough description of each step in the design cycle too.

12. What are the limitations you have with this assignment.
I have more limited time than usual then other students working on this project. 

13. How will you "test" your presentation?
I will "test" my presentation by making a power point for presenting my project.

REFLECT ON YOUR LEARNING

PLAN:

14. Brainstorm ideas. Use the chart below

IB Brainstorming Chart .pdf found in schoology under “materials”& then files

15. What idea did you choose to demonstrate the design cycle and why did you choose it?

16. Does your idea meet all of the requirements?

17. Use the story board paper below to plan your presentation.  Include how many levels you will have, what will be on each level, how will you include teaching skills to young students, and what will your questions be about.

story board.pdf found in schoology under “materials” & then files.

18. Explain how you will use your time to get your project finished in 12 days:

REFLECT on your learning

EVALUATE:

20. How could you improve your presentation?

21. Does your presentation meet all of the requirements?

22. Share your presentation with at least 2-8^th, 3-9^th, 4-10^th+ friends. What did he/she like about your presentation?

23. Reflect on all the steps of the Design Cycle. What did you do well? What do you need to improve?

24. Were you responsible in using the software, Internet, pictures, and computer?

25. How can my learning help my community?

26. What grade do you deserve on this project? (1 - 6)

ATTITUDE:

27. Reflect on your attitude on each step of the Design Cycle. Did you completely answer each step without complaining, being a whiny baby, or saying "it's too hard". Explain your answer:

28. What grade do you deserve on your attitude? (1 - 6)