Frequently asked questions
General
What is "Songs of Cultures"?
"Songs of Cultures" is a multilingual music app that playfully encourages children aged 3 to 10 to discover other countries and cultures through songs from different cultures and languages, and to promote their language development.
How does the app work?
You simply open the app in the browser on your computer, tablet or cell phone. If you have a mobile device that supports augmented reality, you can even conjure up the scenes of the songs in your room! There are also subtitles, a karaoke mode and a vocabulary mode where you can learn the names of the 3D objects in different languages.
For what age is "Songs of Cultures" suitable
The app is suitable for children aged 3 to 10 and can be used super at home, daycare and elementary school.
How can I download the app?
You don't have to download the app, just open it in your browser. Just go to your computer or mobile device and visit the website app.songsofcultures.com and you're ready to go!
How many songs does the app contain?
The app contains 18 interactive songs from different cultures, including Vietnam, Syria, Ukraine, Great Britain and Germany.
In which languages can I use the app?
The app works in five different languages: Ukrainian, Arabic, English, Vietnamese and German.
What are the goals of the app?
„Songs of Cultures“ soll Kindern helfen, Empathie und Weltoffenheit zu lernen und ihre Sprachentwicklung zu fördern. Durch die spielerische Entdeckung anderer Kulturen und Sprachen möchten wir Vielfalt und Wertschätzung fördern und zu einer weltoffenen und antirassistischen Gesellschaft beitragen. Gemeinsam mit Pädagogen und interkulturellen Eltern entwickelt, vermitteln wir mit „Songs of Cultures“ Kindern und Erwachsenen spielerisch die Kernkompetenzen des 21. Jahrhunderts: soziale, interkulturelle, Medien- und Digitalkompetenzen.
In which areas does the app promote my child's competencies and skills?
"Songs of Culturespromotes your child's skills and abilities in various areas in a playful way. By singing and listening to the songs, the linguistic development and pronunciation of your child is supported. In addition, cultural intelligence and empathy are fostered as children discover and learn about songs from different countries and cultures. The app's augmented reality feature provides a unique and immersive learning experience that stimulates your child's creativity and imagination, and builds their media and digital literacy skills. With the vocabulary mode, kids can playfully learn new words and improve their language comprehension. The "Songs of Cultures" app thus contributes to the promotion of social, intercultural, media and digital skills, which are becoming increasingly important in the 21st century.
What is Augmented Reality?
Augmented reality (AR) is an innovative technology that is also used in education. When you use your mobile device to see the world around you through the camera, you can use augmented reality to insert digital elements into your physical environment. These elements appear to float in the real world and can even be interactive. For example, in the "Songs of Cultures" app, you can bring the animals from the songs to life right in your room and interact with them. It's like turning your room into a magical world where you can discover new songs and cultures. This directly connects the multimedia and musical setting with the physically tangible everyday world, providing a unique and immersive learning experience.
Does my mobile device support the augmented reality feature?
The following smartphones and tablets support augmented reality (AR):
iOS (Apple): AR requires an iOS or iPadOS device with iOS 11 and an A9 processor or newer e.g. iPhone: SE and from iPhone 6 / iPad: iPad and iPad Mini from 5th generation, iPad Pro from 1st generation.
Android: An up-to-date list with all currently supported Android devices can be found here https://developers.google.com/ar/devices?hl=de
How long should I use the app with my child?
Your kids especially love the app? That's great! That's great! However, the use of digital media in childhood should be limited. Use the app for a maximum of 30 to 45 minutes per day. Make music and sing the songs for as long as you like! There is so much to discover, make music, do and talk about around the songs and languages. For this, the app is a good starting point that should stimulate your imagination, but never limit it.
The recommendations of the Federal Center for Health Education (BZgA) on the daily media usage times of children reads:
Listening media:
0-3 years maximum 30 minutes
3-6 years maximum 45 minutes
6-10 years maximum 60 minutes
Screen media:
0-3 years best not at all
3-6 years maximum 30 minutes
6-10 years 45-60 minutes at most
Why is the app free?
Die Nutzung der „Songs of Cultures“-App ist kostenlos und ohne Einschränkungen möglich. Wir glauben, dass jeder Zugang zu einer qualitativ hochwertigen und interaktiven Bildung haben sollte, unabhängig von seiner finanziellen Situation.
Wir bei A.MUSE – Interactive Design Studio, die Macher*innen der App, verfolgen soziales Unternehmertum und orientieren uns bei der Projektausrichtung an den Zielen für nachhaltige Entwicklung der Vereinten Nationen. Mit der „Songs of Cultures“ möchten wir einen Beitrag zur Förderung von Vielfalt, Wertschätzung und Empathie leisten.
Pilot project: iOS/Android app with song cards
Was there a previous version of the web app?
Yes, there was a previous version as an iOS and Android app in the app stores that only worked with augmented reality and physical song cards. It includes 10 songs from Vietnam, the UK and Germany. The song cards are still available through Horami Publishing and the accompanying iOS/Android app can still be downloaded. However, it does not include the new songs from Syria and Ukraine and will not be further updated with new content.
What are the advantages of the new web app compared to the previous version?
The new web app works regardless of whether your mobile device supports augmented reality and can be used on a larger number of devices. In addition, the app no longer needs to be downloaded and installed. ✨
Does the iOS/Android app still work?
Ja, die „Songs of Cultures“ App für iOS und Android funktioniert weiterhin. Du kannst sie einfach nur so oder zusammen mit den Liederkarten verwenden. Bitte beachte jedoch, dass die App nur 10 Lieder auf Deutsch, Vietnamesisch und Englisch enthält, nicht weiter geupdated wird und nur mit AR (Augmented Reality) funktioniert. Das bedeutet, dass Du die Lieder in einer erweiterten Realität erlebst, wenn Dein Mobilgerät diese Funktion unterstützt. Für ein noch besseres Erlebnis mit allen Liedern und neuen Funktionen empfehlen wir Dir jedoch, die neue Web-App zu nutzen. Warum? Weil Du sie einfach im Browser öffnen kannst, ohne etwas herunterzuladen. Außerdem ist sie geräteübergreifend und funktioniert auf dem PC, Smartphone und Tablet iOS und vielen anderen Plattformen mit einem Browser 🚀
Can I still buy the song cards?
Yes, the song cards are still being sold. The accompanying iOS and Android app is still available, but only includes 10 songs from Germany, Vietnam and the UK. Together, the song cards and app are a great way to use and learn the songs, especially for children due to the ease of selecting songs via the cards. The song cards are available from Horami Publishing: https://www.horami.de/produkt/songs-of-cultures/
How do the song cards work?
The song cards have the sheet music for the song on the front and a stage on the back, making it easy as pie to select songs in the app. By selecting a song card and scanning it with the app, you can hear and experience the song in your own space through augmented reality. Please note that your device must support augmented reality to use the iOS and Android app. However, with the new web app, the songs work independently of augmented reality support and can be easily experienced in the browser.
Why should I still buy the song cards?
If you have already purchased the song cards, you can continue to use them. However, if you would like to support us and the app, as it is free and non-profit, you can purchase additional song cards or recommend the app to friends and family members. ❤️
The song cards are available from Horami Publishing: https://www.horami.de/produkt/songs-of-cultures/
I bought the song cards but my mobile device does not support augmented reality.
If your mobile device doesn't support augmented reality, you can still listen to the songs through the new web app without needing the song cards. The web app is independent of augmented reality support and can be used on a wider range of devices. So you can experience and enjoy the songs without the song cards. ❤️
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