Noteflight

This week we are exploring different ways of creating music with technology. Above, one will notice a music document created using the web application, Noteflight. There are a number of benefits to using this platform in education. Firstly, it can be accessed free of charge; you simply need an email address; premium services can be purchased at an affordable rate. Secondly, scores can be edited, saved, and shared online; sharing can take place within the platform itself or as a link or embedded code as it is here. Thirdly, the program is easy to use; younger students will be less likely to become frustrated with the program merely off of interface. However, there are limits to the program as well. It is a notation software, which means that students require a level of prior knowledge in the use of standard-notation. Without this knowledge, the user-friendly interface becomes irrelevant. Other limits result from the subscription itself. As an example, a free subscription only allows access to so many sounds and the creation of ten scores, which may be enough for some educators, but not for others. Noteflight Learn may be a far better subscription for a classroom, provided it works in the budget and that there is access to an adequate number of computers. As long as an educator has a clear idea of how Noteflight can assist their content and pedagogy (TPACK), it can be a highly valuable composition tool.