Teacher needs help choosing keyboard for student input.

folks,

 

thanks reading thread - luck, here can point me in right direction. bear me few moments explain needs!

 

i teach math (algebra , geometry) @ alternative school. kids have short attention spans, , being technologically inclined, i'm trying out new things computers. painted walls green greenscreen video work, loaded digitizing tablets, webcams, , other stuff. put 5 quad-core computers in there @ own expense, along canon t2i nice video clips. kids won't worksheets i'm going digital in mad rush them interested in fashion.

 

i don't want spend days arguing these guys anymore doing work. there has better way worksheets.

 

i plan on getting them make own instruction each other means of increasing engagement. they'll come own problem sets each other. student arranging work shoot quick video of correct solution. after other kids work out problems, they'll able go , compare work known solution. big thing these days in education kids pay attention development , take ownership it, , increase understanding of stand in process of developing new skill. i'll have them work out problems on wacom digitizer , screen capture of method. then, they'll play both reference clip , own method together. wherever there difference, i'll have them note , figure out going on. making mistake or taking different route?

 

putting instruction each other should increase attention work. comparing doing known solution should them develop awareness of own habits , tendencies, while assessing current skillset.

 

basically, needs vis-a-vis software shoot math videos , spice them top-shelf audio.

 

i know nothing soundbooth, working audio tracks, or tracks can legally include in our math videos. still, i'm intrigued prospect of how audio can take plain-jane video , ramp level. expect quite number of our math clips bit boring , humdrum nature. i'm looking audio provide pizzazz.

 

i spend of time on in premiere pro cs5 forum, trying video part ironed out. has occured me getting ambient sound layered onto clips going lot, if fair-usage rules allow embed favorite songs playing in background (even if means portions of songs, instead of whole tune). of our sound needs, plan on using soundbooth program included in production premium collection picked last month.

 

i've never used program before or other sound program.

 

i have 3 main questions right now, if please:

 

1) i'd love pick $200-ish electronic keyboard lighted keys , learning software prompt few of our own kids lay down tracks general use. have kids might not able read sheet music, can still play bit. i'm thinking lighted keys grab attention , them try recording. cool build audio made own own kids.

 

thing is, i'm stuck @ deciding whether yamaha ez-200 or casio lk-270 better. these come across 2 leading lighted-key setups. yamaha has better action casio has better connectivity. opinions on web vary, , since can't play, giving 1 tryout isn't going much. so, i'm looking @ specs , trying predict needs vis-s-vis soundbooth , how work keyboard, whatever 1 choose.

 

basically, i'm in dark here on important aspect. how best connect electronic keyboard computer (and soundbooth) in way capture being played? midi, usb, or output jack? see yamaha doesn't have usb connection, perhaps 1 casio have doesn't transmit real-time being played computer. know, neither of these output sound in usable way other through headphone jack. , if true, sound caca? hissing, scratchy tracks needing lot of cleanup won't work time-wise , attention-span-wise.

 

my question boils down - equipment specs necessary capture clean signal off electronic keyboard while playing it? , know of under-$350 keyboard really stands out work soundbooth , needs i'm outlining? school has grades 2-11. wherever can find student can play, i'd have them record something.

 

2) soundbooth or else in production premium come decent, free audio tracks can use?

 

3) must speed on fair-usage rights. our clips improved if kids can lay in of favorite music. can point me place explains such things? can legally include snippets of songs, 30 seconds or so? if yes, @ least rotate through best parts of own music. they'd , give them work on in class.

 

thanks help!

yamaha vs casio - yamaha more geared toward "professional musicians" general rule, casio fit needs better based on read in post (more "user friendly" not quite skilled @ piano).

 

connecting - m audio makes usb rca interfaces work quite either mac or pc. check them out , i'm pretty sure you'll find way connect keyboard of choice, whichever 1 choose.

 

free tracks - soundbooth has free "scores" may (or may not) able download. i've had terrible luck downloading them. it's known problem.

 

fair usage rights -  here's know: have 3 friends own karaoke businesses, , 2 own "cover" bands. pretty close 2 night club owners. under public performance right, copyright holder allowed to  control when work performed "publicly." performance is  considered "public" when work performed in "place open the  public or @ place substantial number of persons outside of a  normal circle of family , social acquaintances gathered." a  performance considered public if transmitted to  multiple locations, such through television , radio. thus, would  violation of public performance right in motion picture to  rent video , show in public park or theater without  obtaining license copyright holder. in contrast, the  performance of video on home tv friends , family are  gathered not considered "public" performance , not be  prohibited under copyright act. doubt adding "snippets" of students' favorite songs in videos classroom violation, , unless put on youtube , "goes viral", not be hearing ascap, bmi or riaa.

 

hope helps.

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