Tuned-in is a not for profit subscription service for UK schools produced by Cumbria County Council. It is an exciting new venture aimed at maximising the potential of the internet to promote Music and the Arts in schools in imaginative and practical ways.
ICT enables pupils to listen to, and interact with music within virtual historical, social and cultural contexts through the written and spoken word, images and sound. Although at present the focus is on music in the curriculum, it is hoped that other arts areas will be addressed in the near future.
System Requirements
Hardware:
To access all the facilities of tuned-in you will need:
* Pentium class Multimedia PC with Windows 95 or later.
* Internet access
* Soundcard
* Speakers
* Various plug ins (available free on this site)
* ESP music Compose World Junior software for some applications.
Soundcard
The soundcard is essential to the quality of musical playback and recording on your computer. Consult your ICT support service for advice on purchasing and fitting sound cards. See also the BECTa Choosing and Using Guide 2
Speakers
A good set of speakers make an enormous difference to the quality of the sound Speakers supplied as part of a computer package tend to be poor (although this is not always the case). Consider speakers with an additional bass subwoofer. These are favoured by computer gamers.
Soundfiles and Compose World Junior
Tuned-in uses midi, mp3 and wav soundfiles.
Please ensure that you have set up Windows Media Player™ for these formats.
Compose World Junior files are also used on certain units. To play these you must have CWJ installed on your PC. This is available from Tuned-in. Please email info@tuned-in.org and quote reference KH2000. Andy Pierson has written an informative article introducing this software in our Articles section.
Please note that tuned-in is not optimised for use on Apple Macs.
Please note that tuned-in is not optimised for use via Netscape
Terms and Conditions
Tuned-in is an online service from Cumbria Contract Services, part of Cumbria County Council.
Whilst Cumbria County Council makes every attempt to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the information contained in the documents stored, served and accessed by the tuned-in service, this information should not be relied upon as a substitute for formal advice from the originating bodies or departments of the County Council and its partners.
Cumbria County Council, its employees and agents will not be responsible for any loss, however arising, from the use of, or reliance on this information. Cumbria.gov.uk ("this publication") is provided "as is" without warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied.
You should not assume that this publication is error-free or that it will be suitable for the particular purpose which you have in mind when using it. Cumbria County Council assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions in this publication or other documents which are referenced by or linked to this publication.
In no event shall Cumbria County Council be liable for any special, incidental, indirect or consequential damages of any kind, or any damages whatsoever, including, without limitation, those resulting from loss of use, data or profits, whether or not advised of the possibility of damage, and on any theory of liability, arising out of or in connection with the use or performance of this publication or other documents which are referenced by or linked to this publication.
This publication could include technical or other inaccuracies or typographical errors. Changes are periodically added to the information herein; these changes will be incorporated in new editions of the publication.
Cumbria County Council may make improvements and/or changes in the services or facilities described in this publication at any time.
Should you or any viewer of this publication respond with information, feedback, data, questions, comments, suggestions or the like regarding the content of any Cumbria County Council publication, any such response shall be deemed not to be confidential and Cumbria County Council shall be free to reproduce, use, disclose and distribute the response to others without limitation. You agree that Cumbria County Council shall be free to use any ideas, concepts or techniques contained in your response for any purpose whatsoever including, but not limited to, developing and marketing services incorporating such ideas, concepts or techniques.
This publication is distributed internationally and may contain references to Cumbria County Council services that are not available in your country. These references do not imply that Cumbria County Council intends to make such services available in your country.
Copyright
This website and all images, except where stated, are © tuned-in.org
Material may not be copied, reproduced, republished, downloaded, posted, broadcast or transmitted in any way except for your own personal non-commercial home/school use. Any other use requires the prior written permission of tuned-in.
You agree not to adapt, alter or create a derivative work from any of the material contained in this site or use it for any other purpose other than for your personal non-commercial use. You agree to use this site only for lawful purposes, and in a manner which does not infringe the rights of, or restrict or inhibit the use and enjoyment of this site by any third party.
Such restriction or inhibition includes, without limitation, conduct which is unlawful, or which may harass or cause distress or inconvenience to any person and the transmission of obscene or offensive content or disruption of normal flow of dialogue within this site.
Any copyright infringement by tuned-in is accidental and unintentional. Upon notification by the copyright holder we will be pleased to give full acknowledgement or remove such material within 7 working days.
Privacy Policy
Tuned-in is an online service from Cumbria Contract Services, part of Cumbria County Council.
Tuned in will never wilfully disclose personally identifiable information about its customers to any third party without first receiving that customer's permission, unless necessary for legal reasons.
Tuned-in is committed to protecting the privacy of its website users and the confidentiality of personal information customers provide us with. Information we collect about you or your school/company is used to provide services and process orders.
Please read on for more details about our privacy policy:
We will ensure that all personal information supplied is held securely, in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998. You have a right to request a copy of the personal information we hold about you and to have any inaccuracies corrected.
Tuned-in uses the information collected in the following ways: When subscribing we need to know your name, organisation name and address, email address, telephone and fax details. This allows us to process and fulfil your orders and keep in contact with you.
With your consent we may also use your contact information to let you know about enhancements to the site, special offers and promotions. If you would rather not receive this information anymore then you may inform us when subscribing using the option on the subscription form or at any time by e-mail at subscribe@tuned-in.org
We will never sell personal information or share personal information with third parties, unless these are involved to fulfil your order or for necessary legal reasons. Our employees and associated companies are obliged by us to respect confidentiality.
Cookies
Cookies are pieces of information stored by your browser on your computer hard drive. During the course of any visit to tuned-in, cookies are used to recognise when you return to the website. Cookies enable us to obtain information about the use of our service and enhance our site according to customer preferences. Our cookies do not require any personally identifying information. Of course, you can change your browser and visit tuned-in without a cookie. However turning off the cookie will affect your ability to receive some personalised services.
Frequently Asked Questions
01. Isn't the use of computers going to be a nightmare in terms of organisation, time and resources?
This assumes:
1. that there is a need to have access several machines
2. that computer access needs to be permanently on hand.
The majority of the materials were written with the use of a single computer in mind.
In general, the activities presented on the pupil pages are intended for use as an introduction or follow-up to activities to take place with voices and instruments away from the computer. Clearly, the use of a data projector, or connection to a television screen might be advantageous.
02. How do these materials reflect OFSTED recommendations for good practice?
1. The web materials make plentiful suggestions for musical activity
2. Teaching focuses are clear, and suggested musical learning planned with regard to the full range of pupils' musical development (e.g. opportunities for performing, composing, listening and appraising are clearly set out)
3. Activities build on pupils' prior learning.
4. Materials address differentiation
5. Materials highlight the need to develop technical skills, providing opportunities to practise these. Teacher's notes provide suggestions for developing these (e.g using the voice)
6. Pupils are taught to be informed consumers of music, and are encouraged to listen to music in a critical and analytical fashion.
03. How do these materials relate to other curricular guidelines?
Appropriate and clearly defined links are made with the National Curriculum and QCA guidance in a range of subjects including literacy, numeracy, ICT, RE. and elements of PSHE.
04. How can these activities extend musical opportunities with outside agencies, including County Instrumental Services, and visits by professional musicians and performing groups?
Wherever possible, activities make reference to the work of living composers and the work of professional musicians and education-focussed groups.
For example The Carnival of the Animals is linked to school performances by the Cumbria Instrumental Support Service.