The teacher checks that the music files can be played on all the computers. The larger mp3s and wavs could be downloaded in advance and saved to a folder called 'Timbre' if classtime is limited or if the Internet connection is unstable. But it is no harm to allow the students see how the different file formats vary in size through their download times.

It is helpful, though not necessary, for students to have studied music for the Junior Cert. Students who have had no formal training in music will use the revision section in Lesson 1 as a learning session if they are not familiar with the more unusual orchestral, jazz and Irish traditional instruments.

There are 7 lessons, each lasting 60 minutes. Alternatively, lessons may be divided into 30 minute sessions. The students go to the student page and click on the next lesson. Further instructions are on the teacher's page. Study these in time to print out worksheets. Some background material and interesting links for the teacher may be read in advance and used to supplement project work.

Allow a maximum of two students per computer. A lesson usually consists of

• a short discussion away from the computers,
• a discovery session at the computer,
• an activity based on the content, sometimes with an assignment and
• a revision piece summing up what was discovered in each lesson

• Internet access.
• At least one set of headphones is needed per computer and it would be more productive if the students did not have to share.
• A reader for the worksheets that are in pdf format.
• Software for listening to MIDI files, mp3 files and wave files. Go to the downloads section and find out if the sounds are coming through.
• An Audio Editor for manipulating wave files. Downloads section.
• A notation reader. Downloads section.
• A minidisc player, minidiscs and a microphone.
• A CD player and CDs that illustrate different types of instruments.

1. If the soundcards on the school computers are not of good quality please encourage those students who have Internet access at home to listen to the MIDI files again.
2. It will not be possible to carry out the 'assignments' during the lesson itself - they can be set for homework or worked on during another music period.