Technology in Education Part 2

Technology that I'm using at work in music education

April 2011

Eric Stover

 

 

Facebook        Band site to communicate, collaborate, and network

Twitter            Networking and research. Also, to communicate with parents, etc.

iPod Touch        Portability of metronome, mp3 files, email, web, Edmodo, and my                     dropbox. An iPod + band-room sound-system = infinite music library!

Dropbox        Great storage for mp3 or other files that I want to access or share.             Absolutely GREAT for the iPod/iPad!

Edmodo        for PLCs. Will also by my pro-dev project; I will use it for "lecture" stuff                 with kids to have them listen music. This will let them evaluate, infer,                 predict, etc. and other higher order thinking skills

Microsoft Office    Word/Spreadsheet/Web publishing, etc.

Google Docs        Starting to replace Word and Excel. Easier, more portable, and GREAT                  for collaboration.

Google Calendar    A Godsend. It organizes all of my calendars, usable with any Internet                 device, free, and imports easily with Outlook, Thunderbird, iPad/iPod, etc.             You can edit it in real time, and import any number if different calendars.             GREAT organizer!

Finale            Music notation software

Smartmusic        Virtual accompanist program for solos, lessons, jazz improvisation

Pyware 3D        Animated marching drill software

Email            Communication with parents, staff, etc.

Audacity        Editing sound files, and also as a tone analyzer in lessons.

Zoom Recorder    Instant high quality digital recorder device

Audio Equipment    Playing audio for band students.

Fingering        Fingering chart app for iPod touch. Very handy in lessons to look up             uncommon instrumental fingerings and trill fingerings.

Subdivide         Metronome app for iPod touch. Free

YouTube        Great research tool for finding live and recorded performances. Also,             showing our performances to audiences that cannot attend concerts.

Pandora        Great for introducing students to musical styles. Just type in a few                     keywords and they have instant listening references; all free!

 

Where I'm going:

 

More Edmodo; expanded use to include solos, concert band rehearsals, possible weekly assignments, and expanded use to include jazz band. I feel this could really bring up some meaningful dialogue between my students and me. What's cool is that I can upload media, and the kids and I can have some discussion on what we're listening to. This is my next thrust as an educator, and will be the topic of my professional development plan. I think it will be really neat!

 

Skype More use of Skype to collaborate and research. I already use it at home to operate my ham radio remotely, so using it for work should be fun!

 

Google Calendar. Make a band Calendar file that parents can download and use in their personal planners. This would be available for anyone to import into their own personal calendar software, or using their own Google Calendar.

 

Start making recordings of my ensembles, either digital or CD, and editing them for band members to have. I will either use this with Audacity, or Garage Band.