The first article this week was very informative. It broke down everything we could use in technology. It truly broke down every aspect so we could understand different ways to teach with technology.
Interactive Whiteboards are something that could be a serious help in a music classroom. When I was graduating, my high school had just started to install Smartboards is some of the english and history classes, so I got seriously limited experience using one. But interactive whiteboards can allow for students to complete activities in front of the class like in any other class. There could be music completion excersises, or identification, so these could be used in classrooms of younger and older students.
Right off the bat, I liked the One Computer Can Teach an Entire Class article. One problem I've been dealing with is how I could possibly add technology into what I was teaching, especially with in a situation where I don't have a technology lab, or a lab that I could use for musical purposes. The idea of a computer game seemed really great. Everyone gets a turn at the computer, and turn it in to a competition. With the adrenaline of the competition, kids are more likely to stay focused despite the lack of computer. The learning station idea was also a very good idea. It makes sure again that everyone gets a chance at the computer, and then everyone can being a part of an activity.
In the Automatic Accompaniment article, I really liked that we were told about all the different programs that we could use in our own classrooms. Band in a Box would be good for students to help develop their own music, which would be good in a theory or more composition geared class, especially because there is a chord based input. I think SmartMusic would be fun to work with. I liked that it came pre-programmed warm-ups that we could use with our own groups. iPas was also a good way to help plan out lessons. And the accompanist parts to help with band parts is good for practicing at home, and can improve the sound of your group.
I did not enjoy the one computer aspect for all students. I think this limits equality of using programs in learning. Of course, I do take into consideration that not every school will have the funds to have a computer lab or space for one. Though it probably will produce positive results, I feel that it may also inhibit the learning experience because there is "only one" computer being used.
ReplyDeleteI think that the one computer aspect can be adapted in the form of a SMART board as opposed to just one computer sitting in the front of the room. This definitely seems more interactive and less inhibiting. Also, from someone who uses SmartMusic, it is definitely something worthwhile, and the warmups are actually quite good for all instruments. The program is so easy to use, and is a great incentive for the student to practice. (and it's inexpensive!)
ReplyDeleteThe reality of most public school situations at present is that every student is not going to have their own computing device. While there are schools where there is a 1-to-1 ratio of computers to students, this is still relatively rare. While I'm optimistic that in the medium- to long-term, most students will have their own computing device at school (although it may be something more like an iPad than a laptop computer), that is still a ways off. In the meantime, utilizing strategies such as suggested in the Kassner article make a great deal of practical and pedagogical sense.
ReplyDeleteSmartMusic is an amazing technology that offers many affordances to music performance learning. I believe that teachers of musical performance who are not using SmartMusic are doing a disservice to their students. We'll explore this technology a bit further before the semester is over.