Teaching & Technology [in music]

The Midwest Clinic & What Inspired Me

2011-12-18T09:16:00.000-06:00

I grew-up in Chicagoland and had the privilege of attending Midwest many times as a high school student, college student, and now music educator. I continue to live and teach in the area, but haven't attended in about 7 years. The hiatus gave me a new perspective as I visited just a few days ago. The amazing thing about Midwest is that it offers the best of the best for music educators from

Worthy Tech Tools for the Music Educator

2011-07-20T11:00:00.000-05:00

Here is a great list of current tech tools that was created for a recent VanderCook MECA class. Some notable concepts in this list include: Group texting for field trips Online tuner and metronome Going wireless in the classroom YouTube resources Smartphone apps Creating online quizzes using Google Docs & making it mobile Interactive polling Connect with a composer via Skype Teaching with

Enhancing Concert Programs with QR Codes

2011-07-18T08:06:00.000-05:00

Scan this! What is it? A QR code looks like the graphic on the left and enables smartphone users (your parents & students) to access more information with an app that can read QR codes. QR stands for quick response. QR codes enable users to receive data including URL links, map coordinates, and even text. They are gaining popularity and can be found in places like newspaper ads and on food

Midwest Summer Music Camp Directory

2011-02-22T17:02:00.004-06:00

Music camp is a GREAT opportunity for students to improve music skills, continue playing or singing during the summer months, make new friends, and HAVE FUN! As many students will attest to, a music camp also helps motivate them for the upcoming school year and beyond. In simplest terms, music camp gets kids pumped! Camps traditionally have professional and collegiate musicians on their staff

Not Your Ordinary Playing Assessment

2011-02-15T10:41:00.004-06:00

Here's an assignment that will help your students learn their music & get their parents involved too! It requires only about 10 minutes time to complete. The biggest benefits of this assignment are: It is self-reflective Helps develop critical listening skills Encourages parental involvement Communicates performance standards In my opinion, this assignment address two concerns. First, we don't

Part II - IMEA Recap: Using Twitter for Professional Development

2011-02-08T08:35:00.000-06:00

At the 2011 Illinois Music Educator's Association Conference in Peoria, Kyle Freesen (@kfreesen) and I were privileged to present to a group of music teachers about using social networking to create their own professional development. This is the second of a three part series from our session. Twitter for Music Educators When compared to Facebook popularity, Twitter does not have near the

Part I - IMEA Recap: Using Facebook for Professional Development

2011-01-31T08:34:00.002-06:00

At the 2011 Illinois Music Educator's Association Conference in Peoria, Kyle Freesen (@kfreesen) and I were privileged to present to a group of music teachers about using social networking to create their own professional development. This is the first of a three part series from our session. Facebook Recap: Something amazing has happened! With the advent of social networking, professional

24/7 Professional Development

2011-01-24T08:03:00.000-06:00

With the popularity of social networking continuing to gain momentum at light speed, the ability for educators to collaborate has never been easier. Facebook, Twitter, and blogging allow us to share and exchange ideas on a global scale that has never before been seen. To learn more about using social networking to create your own professional development, come check-out this session at the IMEA

Ten Ways to Jump Start Your Next Concert

2010-11-05T10:20:00.001-05:00

Have students speak! Involve your students by letting them introduce the pieces and read the composer/program notes notes. Showcase chamber ensembles like a brass quintet, perc ensemble or student soloist. This works well especially around solo & ensemble time. They can perform before or during the concert. Include lots of information in your programs: dates of future performances, permission

A Halloween Listening Map

2010-10-28T21:57:00.001-05:00

Here is a classic piece and listening map that your students will love to do for Halloween - March to the Scaffold by Hector Berlioz. It is this kind of programmatic music that got me hooked on classical music as a kid. If you do not know the bizarre story that is behind the March, read it here. It is an appropriate lesson for both middle school and high school students, but you should

The Podium as Teaching Station

2010-10-25T07:25:00.002-05:00

How effective of a music teacher are you? Do you have all the tools you need to teach at the podium and in your classroom? Do you communicate the day's rehearsal agenda and/or goals to your students? As a seasoned teacher, I have seen how music technology has developed, what has stuck around, what has gone by the wayside, and what works to help with student learning. I have also learned how

Saving Time & Being a Better Teacher - What Does it for You?

2010-09-13T20:31:00.000-05:00

Today I read a fun post on the LifeHacker site about "What's the one thing on your desk, in your office, or around your workplace that saves time or makes work more bearable?" My vote was for my iPod and Pandora (free streaming music). I love listening to music when I'm not teaching. It definitely makes the paperwork game easier. Anyway, this got me to thinking.....what is it at school, in

Using Video to Help Students Learn Colorguard Routines

2010-09-01T07:52:00.000-05:00

Whether you are a high school or middle school band director, this is a great tool to reinforce colorguard routines to your students. My colleague, Lisa Hatfield, creates the flag routines for the annual Homecoming parade music and this year she decided to video record the routine. Brilliant! She taught the entire routine to the students and followed up the lesson by giving each student the

The First Day: Setting the Stage for (Non) Musical Success

2010-08-23T07:30:00.001-05:00

I care not what subject is taught, if only it be taught well. - T.H. Huxley The importance of what you say and do on the first day of class is huge because you are setting the tone for the rest of the school year. There is not one student that comes to school on the first day not wanting to have a great year. When students enter your classroom, they want to know a few things: is the teacher

Digital Student Teaching Syllabus, Not A Bad Idea

2010-08-05T09:25:00.001-05:00

My approach to student teachers has always been to give them as much of a "real life" experience as possible, while still maintaining the role of a mentor. Over the course of my teaching career, I have had the privilege of working with some really great student teachers. What I found really great about these future teachers, was that they were self-starters, highly motivated individuals that

Day 32 - 4/6

2010-04-14T10:55:00.000-05:00

Back from Spring Break and ready to teach! I have learned from experience that the first day back from week long breaks is not the most productive. We warmed-up on scales while working with the metronome (Tempo). Floating around the room, correcting posture, and giving positive feedback helped boost morale and make the rehearsal a little more productive. Can't walk around the room unless you

Days 28-31 - Mar. 22-25

2010-04-14T10:40:00.000-05:00

The week before Spring Break! A much needed break is on the horizon. Here are my thoughts for the week: Technology is now just what I do. Let me expound on that. Technology is not really the tools you use, but rather a way of doing things. It is integrated into the whole learning process I use in my classroom. My students have now come to expect it as part of the daily rehearsal. Here is

Day 27 - 3/19

2010-04-12T16:08:00.001-05:00

For years, I have done a presentation about summer music camps in hopes of getting as many students involved as possible. It is a simple slideshow with lots of pictures of the Illinois Summer Youth Music camp held at the University of Illinois. The advantages of this are that students who have participated before can share their positive camp experiences they with students that have not

Day 23-26 - March 15-18

2010-04-12T15:41:00.001-05:00

The final push of preparation has begun for our final two performances. This week I utilized the LCD projector every day along with a PowerPoint slide that had a reminder about a playing quiz and the rehearsal agenda for the week. I find myself using the LCD to post the weekly rehearsal schedule more and more. I think it is an effective way to keep the students informed, shows that you are an

Day 22 - 3/12

2010-04-12T15:27:00.002-05:00

Found a great way to use Noteflight on-the-fly so to speak! I was teaching a group lesson and my students encountered a part in their music that needed to be simplified because of the note range. Rather than writing out the changes on the board or trying to explain what to do, Noteflight came to the rescue. As I input the music to Noteflight, the students copied the changes to their music. It

Days 18-21 - 3/8-11

2010-03-09T22:57:00.010-06:00

I knew this was likely to happen, but I was not sure when it would. My technology quest has hit a bump in the road. I am still using technology like my iPhone and LCD projector, but these tools are just becoming part of my daily routine. They are becoming common-place in my rehearsal, much like the chalkboard, tuners, and pencil sharpener that are used everyday. I am not lessening their

Day 17 - 3/5/10

2010-03-09T21:21:00.000-06:00

I used PracticeSightreading.com today again for a rhythm warm-up. I have written about this site before, but I really like using it once or twice a week as an alternative/supplement to the 101 Rhythmic Rest Patterns book. I think this resource might be most effectively used in this manner. Using it as a supplement, keeps it fresh and as something to look forward to. It was the perfect warm-up

Technology I Use

2010-03-05T13:49:00.000-06:00

SmartMusic - practice tool Noteflight - online music notation Skype - webcam chat Sony Bluetooth RX/TX iPhone apps - Tempo, iProRecorder, Toodledo, CalenGoo iGoogle Google Docs Google Calendar Gmail Threadsy - combines email, Facebook, Twitter, and the broader social web Twitter: @Band_Techie Facebook - Rotolo MS & Teaching Music in the 21st Century groups Diigo - online bookmarking &

Day 16 - 3/4/10

2010-03-05T11:50:00.000-06:00

Finally there is a web-based notation program and it is easy to use! The learning curve is very small. Noteflight is a fantastic notation tool that is easy enough for a student to use, but has enough features that teachers will like using it too! An email address is all that is required to sign-up and best of all it is FREE! I have been using Noteflight for a couple of weeks now and was

Day 15 - 3/3/10

2010-03-03T12:48:00.000-06:00

I really needed to tweak some sections of our music today for two upcoming performances. However, I was able to easily use the Tempo metronome app while the warmed-up on some lines of rhythm from the 101 Rhythmic Rest Patterns book. Again, I managed to correct some posture problems and give personal, positive praise to individuals because I was able to freely walk to each row while using the