Soundtrap for Education - FAQs

We understand you are trying to make the best, most effective choices for your classrooms, given the many options of ed-tech tools offered. If you’re not familiar with Soundtrap for Education, we’re answering the most commonly asked questions here. Soundtrap for Education is a mix of Music Production & Vocals that are designed and leveraged for the K-12 through higher-education markets.

Q: What is Soundtrap for Education?

A: Soundtrap for Education is a cloud-based, audio-creating platform that enables teachers to follow the latest STEAM curriculums and meet learning standards through music, podcasts, language, literacy training, and other sound recordings. Soundtrap for Education integrates seamlessly with Noteflight, Flat.io, Google Classroom, Microsoft Teams, Canvas, Schoology, and MusicFirst. Because it works across platforms and devices, students can collaborate on projects anywhere at any time. It is very easy to use, enabling learners to embrace the technology because it mirrors the intuitive nature of the other social and educational platforms they use daily.

Q: Why is Soundtrap for Education valuable for children?

A: Soundtrap for Education is a learning tool that fits beautifully in the digital environment that is second nature and expected from them. Soundtrap for Education’s intuitive platform works across all Wi-Fi-connected devices, giving learners the freedom to work on their projects outside of school, if necessary. Students have access to more than 4,000+ royalty-free quality loops, educationally vetted non-music sound effects, and 400+ instrument sounds, which allows them to create professional, polished projects regardless of their ages and ability levels.

Q: Why is Soundtrap’s education version appropriate for classrooms?

A: Soundtrap for Education is designed from the ground up for teachers. The platform allows educators to create an invite-only group in a secure, protected digital environment (we like to call it the “walled garden” of creativity). Teachers can check in remotely and create new assignments, comment on student progress, and check on project status. Unlike Soundtrap’s personal accounts, which is an open platform, the education version offers a walled environment in a protected online space. Only guests invited by teachers can join the project. Student safety and security is our number one priority at Soundtrap for Education

Q: Is Soundtrap for Education compliant with the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA)?

A: We take children’s safety on the web very seriously. By default, Soundtrap for Education is designed to comply with COPPA, GDPR, FERPA standards and supports CIPA certification. All users are initially placed in a safe, protected environment where they can collaborate. Their profiles are not visible to the outside world and they cannot contact or be contacted by people outside of their group. A minimal profile allows only for the first name and last name to be stored in the profile. No profile picture, tags, locations or descriptions are stored.

Q: What is Soundtrap for Vocals & Songwriting and how does it connect with Soundtrap for Education?

A: Soundtrap for Vocals & Songwriting is a tool that also can be used for creating podcasts that has features that support STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math) education initiatives. We provide FREE access to Vocals & Songwriting to all our education subscribers to help amplify student voice and develop essential creative and collaboration skills in their classroom. These new features save hours of time by enabling users to transcribe and edit the spoken-word audio file as they would in a text document, and eliminates the need to listen to the podcast over and over again. Automatic transcripts, at the click of a button, will differentiate instruction for all ages, abilities and individualized education plans. This tool allows learners to see their spoken word, easily edit the text and tell the story of their learning process. We've also made it easier than ever to start creating a podcast by offering a podcast specific template in the studio that is tailored for your storytelling needs. 

Q: I heard about the free tier of Soundtrap Personal subscription plans. What is it and why can’t I use it with my students?

A: Because it is created for personal use, the free tier does not offer the same walled-garden protections that are the hallmarks of Soundtrap for Education. It also does not integrate with major learning management systems. This prevents teachers from monitoring their students’ online work and easily administering their assignments and student groups.

Q: Is the Free Soundtrap Personal subscription plans appropriate for K-12 students?

A: No. Soundtrap Personal subscription plans are open to all users across the globe, which means it does not have the privacy features that keep Soundtrap for Education users protected in a walled environment. We would never suggest that teachers use an open format in their classrooms.

Q: Where do I find more information on pricing for Soundtrap for Education?

A: There are a few different ways to get started with Soundtrap for Education. We first always invite interested parties to sign up for a free 30-day trial at soundtrap.com/edu or through their preferred reseller. Our base package is $399/a year for 50 users (flexible licenses). If your district is interested in a site license, large deployment or purchasing through a reseller, please email education-sales@soundtrap.com.