Sunday, February 20, 2011
Week 5
The main thing that I foresee using this technology for is in days when I know I will be absent. As a music teacher, it can be very frustrating when you are absent, because nine out of ten substitute teachers don't know enough about music to help manage any classroom work. This leads many music teachers (every one of my music teachers in middle and high school) to just leave a movie for the substitute to put on for each class to watch. By preparing an audio slide show presentation like this, I would be able to give my students directions for an assignment as if I was there. I can even see myself putting PDF files or JPEGs of sheet music on the Power Point slides as musical examples for them to play. As long as the substitute can work an in class projector, it can prove to be a very productive day for the students despite my absence.
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Week 4
The main benefit of posting and embedding a presentation like this is accessibility. By doing this, students and parents alike have access to the presentation and can view the information from any computer or any other internet capable device for that matter. With everyone's busy lives these days, convenience is always a top priority and if I maintain a blog and/or a teacher web page I am helping my students and their parents in the area of convenience. It would be an easy way for them to quickly get all the information they need regarding my class.
Monday, February 7, 2011
Week 3 - Task 2
As a musician, I think I naturally gravitated toward the "creativity and innovation." Therefore I chose Standard 8.1 B. Creativity and Innovation in Preschool (8.1.P.B.1.). Content Statement: The use of digital tools and media-rich resources enhances creativity and the construction of knowledge. CPI: Use a digital camera to take a picture.
I will definitely be incorporating some music technology software in my classes. The recording, editing, notation, and composition software that is out there is amazing and some are surprisingly easy to use. If I were to have a bank of samples of drum beats, melodies, chord progressions, etc. that the kids could choose from within a program like "GarageBand" for example, it would be an excellent way to facilitate creativity and innovation through a form of musical composition. If laid out correctly (which would of course be my responsibility) it would be easy enough for even younger children in Preschool. It can be seen as similar to a game, which seems to be in line with some of the other CPI's such as 8.1.12.B.1 and 8.1.P.C.1.
I will definitely be incorporating some music technology software in my classes. The recording, editing, notation, and composition software that is out there is amazing and some are surprisingly easy to use. If I were to have a bank of samples of drum beats, melodies, chord progressions, etc. that the kids could choose from within a program like "GarageBand" for example, it would be an excellent way to facilitate creativity and innovation through a form of musical composition. If laid out correctly (which would of course be my responsibility) it would be easy enough for even younger children in Preschool. It can be seen as similar to a game, which seems to be in line with some of the other CPI's such as 8.1.12.B.1 and 8.1.P.C.1.
Week 3 - Task 1
As a teacher, I am definitely affected in many ways by these standards. I feel more of a burden and weight of responsibility for the technological development of students. This means that my development as a teacher can't stop after finishing CURR518 in Spring 2011. It must be something that I continue to develop so that I can effectively engage my students in learning and developing themselves.
I would assume that as a working teacher I would be given chances to continue to develop technological skills through different workshops, teacher conferences, as well as seeking personal help from colleagues both inside and outside of the school or even district that I work in. I would like to work in a school similar to Chatham High School which seems to be on the forefront of maintaining and maybe even exceeding the state technology standards. As the principal said, they have smart boards and other kinds of technology used throughout the building because kids are used to sitting in front of screens with 5 windows up talking to 3 different people at the same time, etc. I really believe that this is the direction education needs to be moving in to keep up with the changing times.
Though I may be uncomfortable with certain types of technology, I'm sure there will be instances where even the students can help me like they help the english teacher at Chatham High School who admitted that she feels like a dinosaur in the area of technology integration. I also share a similar concern with her. I am concerned about my students staying focused in my class. As she said, students are not able to focus like they did 30 years ago. I am nervous about having to "entertain" the kids, as one of the other teachers stated, to get them to learn. However, since music (especially instrumental music) is so hands-on, I think that students are already "being entertained" and may not have as much trouble staying focused as the Chatham High School english teacher notices in her classes.
I would assume that as a working teacher I would be given chances to continue to develop technological skills through different workshops, teacher conferences, as well as seeking personal help from colleagues both inside and outside of the school or even district that I work in. I would like to work in a school similar to Chatham High School which seems to be on the forefront of maintaining and maybe even exceeding the state technology standards. As the principal said, they have smart boards and other kinds of technology used throughout the building because kids are used to sitting in front of screens with 5 windows up talking to 3 different people at the same time, etc. I really believe that this is the direction education needs to be moving in to keep up with the changing times.
Though I may be uncomfortable with certain types of technology, I'm sure there will be instances where even the students can help me like they help the english teacher at Chatham High School who admitted that she feels like a dinosaur in the area of technology integration. I also share a similar concern with her. I am concerned about my students staying focused in my class. As she said, students are not able to focus like they did 30 years ago. I am nervous about having to "entertain" the kids, as one of the other teachers stated, to get them to learn. However, since music (especially instrumental music) is so hands-on, I think that students are already "being entertained" and may not have as much trouble staying focused as the Chatham High School english teacher notices in her classes.
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