Week 9

What is fair use? ............I guess I don't really know judging by my quiz score of 55%.  When that video said that it is "slippery," they really were not kidding.  I have to admit, I'm a little nervous now as a teacher, and especially as a music teacher.  I already knew a little bit about the copyright laws with regard to sheet music, audio recordings, and performances, but now I can see that it's even more slippery than I previously thought.  I guess the main thing to keep in mind is if the work is being used for instructional use.  Also, I know that many schools, and I am sure of this at the college level, pay a flat annual fee to BMI and/or ASCAP (2 of the biggest performance rights organizations) so that they are covered when it comes to their music departments' performances.  They just have to make sure they submit a list, called the copyright report, with all the music that was performed so that the composers of the music get paid accordingly.

Week 8

Here is the link to the example I chose:
http://fcit.usf.edu/matrix/lessons/lp0004.html
"Color Story" - students practice color words with a word processing program.


The main standard used in this example with regard to teacher skills is 2.A from the NETS for Teachers.  In this example, a simple, relevant learning experience, such as using color words, incorporated digital tools and resources as an aid.

2. Design and Develop Digital-Age Learning Experiences and Assessments

Teachers design, develop, and evaluate authentic learning experiences and assessment incorporating contemporary tools and resources to maximize content learning in context and to develop the knowledge, skills, and attitudes identified in the NETS•S. Teachers:

a.	design or adapt relevant learning experiences that incorporate digital tools and resources to promote student learning and creativity.

My Level of Technology Integration:

I don't know that I am at the "Transformation" Level yet, but I can say that I probably started somewhere around "Adoption" and have reached "Infusion." I can definitely utilize technology tools to complete a task at hand, select appropriate forms of technology to complete those tasks and to facilitate collaborative learning.  The evidence for this newfound comfort level with technology integration can be seen in the fact that I, along with the rest of the class, have been able to use various forms of technology to complete tasks (slide shows, slide casts, etc)  and to collaborate with each other through our blogs.

Week 7

A recording of the Soprano, Alto, Tenor, and Bass parts, played on MIDI keyboard in GarageBand to be used as a practicing tool for the choir.  This will help students to be prepared for the upcoming Winter Choir Concert, as they will be able to have an accurate recording to practice from at their convenience.

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Week 6 Task 1

As a music teacher, comments like this never fail to make me worry about one day losing a music program:  "Inevitably, putting a priority on skills pushes other subjects, including history, literature, and the arts, to the margins. But skill-centered, knowledge-free education has never worked." (Ravitch).  I do agree that schooling needs to look different in the 21st century, however I think the advocates for 21st century skills implementation can take it to an extreme.  For example, "Every aspect of our education system -- preK-12, postsecondary and adult education, after-school and youth development, workforce development and training, and teacher preparation programs -- must be aligned to prepare citizens with the 21st century skills they need to compete." (Mathews).  Why every aspect?  Aren't there as least SOME things in traditional education that still hold any weight?  I really don't think my education was that bad at preparing me for the 21st century that every aspect of it needs to change.


If schooling is supposed to "prepare students with skills and knowledge," as Professor Bigsby said, then why is there a push to seemingly neglect the knowledge part.  I guess what I'm saying is that I agree with most of the blogs that I've read.  Everything in moderation seems to be agreed upon.  I don't have a problem with new things being implemented, but not by abandoning everything about the way things have been done in education thus far.

Week 6 Task 2

It was very eye opening when Sir Ken Robinson said that "the children entering school today are the people who will be retiring in the year 2065."  I never thought about it that way, though it is something so obvious if I were to just stop and think about it.  How are we supposed to educate them for such an unknown future?  Like Sir Ken Robinson said shortly after that first comment, "we don't even know what 5 years from now is going to look like."

I guess it comes down to the main point of his speech: "Creativity now is as important in education as literacy, and we should treat it with the same status."  If we do not foster student creativity, how will they be the innovators of the future?  It is very important to set them up with the skills that will propel us into the future, and one could argue even more so than it is to educate them in the areas that are important for today.    Of course there is room for this in schooling.