Welcome to the latest issue of Gigajamming! This month you can find out how Gigajam fits with the National Curriculum, see our recommended hardware products, and read about South Manchester City Learning Centre's experience of Gigajam.

Gigajam and the National Curriculum

Teachers must show they deliver the objectives and outcomes of the National Curriculum. To help them, we have created a detailed mapping document for Key Stage 3 which demonstrates:

1. The mapping of Gigajam to the Programme of Study for Key Stage 3.
2. Suggestions of how students' skills, acquired through Gigajam, can be used to support the QCA Schemes of Work for Music in Year 7.
3. 14 National Curriculum focused extension activities.
4. Gigajam compositional tasks for Sibelius (developing music technology skills).
5. Gigajam compositional tasks for Cubase/sequencer (developing music technology skills).
6. Gigajam live ensemble performance suggestions.

The Gigajam National Curriculum Mapping document can be downloaded and/or viewed online.

If you would like to discuss how to implement any of the ideas and suggested activities please feel free to contact us. You can call our Head Office on 0870 744 2040, or email brian.greene@gigajam.com

Hardware Focus

We have looked at many different hardware components, trying to constantly find the easiest solutions for the classroom teacher. During our tests we have found that the MOTU Fastlane midi interface is very reliable and works equally well with PC and Mac platforms.

Furthermore, we are finding that the Yamaha EZ-AG is great as a guitar and bass guitar and is providing very quick and reliable results with the Gigajam Analyser software.

Gigajam Forum

There are always advantages and disadvantages with differing equipment and you may want to add your view to our online forum. You can find some views on the pros and cons of various Midi guitars here:

• Technical Forum
• Pros and cons of Midi EZ-AG

If you need further information on these products then please do not hesitate to contact us 0870 744 20240 or email brian.greene@gigajam.com. You can also view the current recommended instrument bundles on our website.

Gigajam in Action
South Manchester City Learning Centre — Gigajam Mentor Centre

Needs

• Innovative ways to provide more opportunities for more pupils to engage with music
• Demonstrate new ideas using ICT to develop learning skills in specialist subject areas
• Support schools in South Manchester

John Denney, CLC manager: "There may well be talented children out there but we'll never know if they're good instrumentalists or not without giving this mass opportunity."

Solution

The South Manchester City Learning Centre was looking to add a music project to their existing thriving music programme and after trying out Gigajam for themselves, the CLC manager John Denney and the technical manager Paul Ford decided to lead the CLC in becoming a Gigajam Mentor Centre. They have since become an accredited Interactive Music School.

The CLC adapted the existing space to accommodate the equipment and an initial investment was made into purchasing the musical instruments, so that learners would have access to all four Gigajam band instruments - the guitar, bass, keyboards and drums. John, Paul and three staff from the Manchester Music Services deliver the lessons.

Users

A number of local schools including Chorlton High School, Parrswood High School, Newall Green High School, St Paul's Primary School, Whalley Range High School, North Manchester School for Girls, and St Cuthbert's Primary School use the facilities. Before the Mentor Centre was set up, the schools had nothing similar on offer to pupils.

An initial three sessions were held at the Mentor Centre for each school, then the CLC lent the participating schools the instruments and Gigajam software to continue the programme. Pupils from complete beginners to those with classical music training have participated and have made good progress.

Sue Berry, deputy head of Manchester Music Services said: "Gigajam has been very favourably received by children and staff in South Manchester. The video clips and clarity of language were cited as examples of user-friendliness. Our school even reported that a less able Year Six group played a very accurate ensemble passage together at the end of the initial session."

Sue Berry and her team work closely with the CLC to assist in the delivery of this project. The partnership between the music services and the CLC has been a huge success in terms of joined up education.

South Manchester CLC has three sessions a week for bands and runs a highly successful Whole Classroom model for primary schools:

Monday 9.30-11.30

Gigajam with primary school children

Monday 4.00-6.30

BTEC rock and roll with secondary school children

Monday 6.30-7.30

Family learning with Gigajam

Tuesday 1.30-2.30

Four autistic children learn Gigajam

Tuesday 4.00-6.30

BTEC rock and roll with secondary school children

Wednesday 4.30-6.30

X band with secondary school children

There is a unique music room specifically developed for the music programme and are doing truly amazing things. There are regular events, providing an opportunity for the students to perform. The CLC works closely with the Music Services.

Gigafest 2005

All the schools using Gigajam came together to showcase the good work that had been going on. The schools had bands ranging from primaries with only a couple of months' experience, to those who had completed Level 1. The audience was made up of teachers and pupils from the schools involved, Manchester Music Services and Brian Greene, content director at Gigajam.

See the online case study for more details together with a short video of Gigajam in action.

We are looking to share your experiences of Gigajam — whatever the size or scale — with fellow Gigajam users by emailing us in the first instance on schools@gigajam.com