We’re excited to introduce something that’s new to the Eduporium store! Just added to our offerings last week, the Skoog 2.0 tactile musical instrument is an incredibly innovative educational tool and one that brings with it a great deal of potential for all kinds of creative learning in the classroom. Not only is the Skoog 2.0 awesome for amplifying student voice and helping them produce their own creative sounds, it also works with a couple of our favorite robotics tools so kids can use it in coding education as well!
The Skoog can fit comfortably in a child’s hands, measuring about five inches tall by five inches long by five inches wide. It's easily stored and transportable from classroom to classroom, requiring only a compatible device for use. Even if students don’t have a lot of experience with making or playing music, the Skoog 2.0 is a great entry-level tool. Since it combines music and technology, it definitely appeals to a lot of kids! Plus, it also helps unlock creative discovery through music for just about anyone.
There are a handful of different mobile apps that work with Skoog, but all of the devices this musical tool is compatible with fall under the Apple family. The Skoog app is available on mobile iOS devices as well as Mac devices. The Skoog Skratch and Skoog Access apps are available on mobile iOS devices as well. There’s also the Skoog Playground app, which takes after Apple’s Swift Playgrounds and allows students to bring both their code and their music to life as they learn about notes, octaves, inputs, animation, and more. Users can subscribe via Swift Playgrounds and download the app on iOS devices.
The Skoog 2.0 is universally designed with equitable music-making technology. Parents, teachers, and students, including those with learning differences, can all create with the Skoog. The Skoog device works through touch interaction, allowing first-time users to begin understanding how to use it right away. With this entirely new musical instrument, kids are able to create a new kind of music in a fun and interactive way. Plus, not only is the Skoog affordable, it was created with input from students, teachers, and musicians from around the world!
Students don’t need music lessons to play the Skoog; they can just pick it up and play! It connects wirelessly to an iPad or compatible computer and students can choose sounds that the cube makes when they touch its corresponding surfaces. This extremely tactile approach to music making certainly allows them to produce all kinds of customizable sounds and get a feel for what music composition is like. And, producing sounds isn’t limited to touching the Skoog. Kids can press it, twist it, or squeeze it as well, creating a truly tactile learning experience (plus one that’s pretty fun)!
In terms of its technical specs, the Skoog connects with devices with Bluetooth and can be charged with an included micro USB cable. The battery life lasts for up to 10 hours of continuous use and it takes about three hours to charge fully. Once it’s charged, students can pair the Skoog 2.0 with any of its compatible apps and start producing their own unique beats and sounds from anywhere!
The Skoog app, for example, is available for download on iPad’s and Mac devices. Students can jump right into creating and playing their music, adding new twists to their favorite songs. Once launched, the app will integrate with an Apple Music library or a Spotify premium account if you have one, allowing you to play along with your favorite songs! The Skoog then produces sounds according to how it is touched—something different depending on if it’s tapped, pressed, or squeezed.
There’s also the Skoog Skratch app, which empowers students to make and share music in just seconds! They can tap the screen to record different sounds within the app and connect it right to their Skoog. Students can control the sounds and spin their own beats just like a DJ and mix them all together to create their own custom music. They can then share their creations with other users from all over the world! The Skoog Skratch app is available on iPhones and iPads.
Also, the Skoog Access app allows users to communicate, control, and connect with the world. It essentially turns the Skoog into a communication tool using Apple’s Switch Control functionality. This app is designed for any student (or adult) who may have speech or language problems, serving as a tool to help them communicate. Available as an iPhone or iPad download, the Skoog Access app can help create greater equity for students, especially those who are part of special populations.
Finally, the Skoog Playground app is how students can use the Skoog in both coding and music making. Within the app, they can build their own musical instruments and explore various kinds of data as they go. In order to start using Skoog Playground, you do need to subscribe. Once started, you’ll be able to create and control all kinds of music using real Swift code. Students can also access specialized lessons to try at school or at home!
We’re real excited to be able to offer this incredibly accessible and tactile music making tool to educators! To place an order for the Skoog 2.0 or to request a quote, click below! If you have any questions about the Skoog 2.0 or any of its apps or features, please feel free to contact our team. Be sure to follow us on Twitter and Instagram as well to keep up with the rest of the new STEAM tools added to our store!
