Build Beats with LEGO® Braille Bricks

Presented on Monday, 10th March 2025

Content

Dr Ben Schogler joined us to share a new music education resource being developed by the award winning accessibility team at Playable Technology.

Building on the success of the Skoog (an accessible musical instrument for special education) Playable recently developed and launched an app that turns traditional LEGO® bricks into music.

The app is called BeatBlocks and you can literally "build music with LEGO®".

Following the launch of the BeatBlocks app the team have turned their attention to working with LEGO® Braille Bricks to develop a digital resource that can support visually impaired students and teachers studying music.

Braille music notation allows visually impaired musicians to read, write, and compose music. It represents pitch, rhythm, dynamics, and articulation, similar to standard notation. Students traditionally learn through specialised Braille music books, transcription software, and adapted instruments. Teachers use hands-on guidance, auditory training, and technology to reinforce learning, enabling students to read scores, compose, and perform independently.

The Playable team are developing an app that can detect LEGO® Braille Bricks and translate them into appropriate musical sounds. The goal is to develop a digital layer of interactivity for the LEGO® Braille Bricks to create a resource that can support teachers and learners in a variety of ways using the physical LEGO® braille bricks and a smart device.

This session will provided live demonstration of the key features and discuss potential applications alongside the pedagogical inspiration that lead to the development of the app.

Recording

Presenter

Playable Technology's Creative Director, Dr Ben Schogler is a developmental psychologist and expert in educational technology, learning and play. A seasoned entrepreneur with a wealth of experience in bringing new products to market, business development, scaling and brand partnership. Co-founder of award winning Skoogmusic Ltd, the accessibility-focused music technology company, whose products retail in Apple stores all over the world, Ben is a leading evangelist for technology that improves quality of life. Ben brings his passion for creativity to bear on developing solutions, products and services for Playable Technology. The team at Playable also provide product and business development services grounded in real-life go-to-market experience for a diverse portfolio of clients around the world. Musician, TedX speaker, author, Ben is a regular speaker to education and technology events.

Links

Playable Technology Limited

Based in Scotland Playable Technology specialises in the design and engineering of inclusive, accessible, playful interactive products and exhibits. Skilled in holistic product design that benefits from real-world experience of bringing products to market with partners such as Apple, the team also provide product and business development services for a diverse portfolio of clients around the world.

Target Audience

Teachers of VI, Classroom support staff, Heads of Sensory Services, class teachers parents, anyone interested in braille.