PLN: Kids like classical?

            For most kids, classical music is not especially their cup of tea. “Boring”, “dull”, and “uninteresting” are all words grumbled under students’ breath when the teacher announces that they will be learning about music history. But the fact of the matter is that classical music is the foundation of all of today’s music. So how can we as educators engage our students in classical music? “Classics for Kids” is an excellent resource for teachers to find lesson plans, audio, a musical dictionary, and many other valuable links for children grades K-5. But more importantly, with it's kid friendly design, games, and links it is a great way to get kids using technology to further their musical knowledge.

            My personal favorite part for teachers of the site is the lesson plans feature. Each lesson is incredibly detailed and contains a step-by-step approach that teachers can use as a framework. Each lesson plan includes links to media that could be included, little songs that could enhance the lesson, and other resources that a teacher could find valuable.

            By working classical music and composers into a lesson as opposed to merely studying music history, students can become engaged without even knowing it. This website is an excellent resource for teachers who are struggling to figure out a way to spark their students’ interest, and a great way to work technology into a lesson. I will definitely keep this website in the back of my mind as I embark on a career in music education.

PLN: teachers.net

    After scouring the internet for a valuable PLN, I stumbled across a site called teachers.net. This site has literally everything a teacher could want. Job listings, forums, chatrooms, lesson plans, projects, and articles for every different kind of teacher!
   For music teachers, there are all sorts of different songs to teach kids of all ages, activities to engage your students, and different ideas of what works and what doesn't. By using lessons that have already been proven effective, it reduces much of the strain placed on a teacher, and allows educators to learn from their peers.

   What makes this site better than most others I believe is that it is not just a chatroom, or a place for teachers to ask questions, but has valuable information that any teacher can profit from having. Plus, it's free and requires no registration! I would highly recommend this website to both struggling and prospering teachers. For anyone who puts themselves out their to gain more knowledge will come back discovering something they never knew.

PLN: Facebook and Education in the same sentence?

           Throughout my high school years there was always a stigma around social networking as a waste of time. You got in trouble for using it, and it was often discouraged by parents and teachers as a semi addicting good for nothing habit. Even in college, at the top of most syllabi it is clearly stated that if you are found on social networking sites you will be punished accordingly. For this reason I never thought that I could use Facebook to further my education. But after doing a little research I discovered that Facebook can be a valuable resource if used properly. 

             Organizations such as NAFME, rockSTAR music education, Online Music Education, and countless others have pages or groups on Facebook and all of them have links, videos, and information that can be harnessed to help one succeed. Music educators can connect and learn, without leaving their computer. One is presented with thousands of resources at the click of a mouse and can easily get in touch with anyone just by "inboxing" them, or asking a question on the group page.

Also, individual music departments have pages for their members where they can release information quickly to the masses. I know that the Hartt School has a page where members can discuss what’s happening on campus and become friends with their peers. If we begin to treat Facebook as a help rather than a hindrance, it can be used to display new ideas and easily send out information to a mass amount of people.

With over 955 million members as of June 2012, Facebook is definitely a vital tool to help spread knowledge and ideas. If people begin to tap into this resource, who knows what could happen. By using social networking beneficially, we as educators can help to increase our awareness of new ideas and learn knew ways of teaching students.

Does Technology have a place in music education?

Over the past thirty years, technology has exploded across the globe. US consumers alone spent 106.9 billion dollars on technology in 2009. Over 85% of US citizens have used the Internet to purchase something, and 96% of teens between the ages of nine and seventeen use social networking. Technology is a part of every aspect of our day, and many cannot imagine life without it.

Music and technology have always gone hand in hand. From microphones and sound equipment, to Garage band and Finale, musicians use technology on a daily basis. But when it comes to music education, technology is much harder to find. In the recent economic state, many schools have chosen to not fund technology for the music department.

Why is music being cut off the list of programs that deserve this valuable asset? Simply put, music is not at the top of the priority list at the moment. With the arts being cut left and right, funding has been cut drastically. I remember my high school music teacher begging the district office for a smart board and being denied because they didn't think it was necessary. Instead, the English and Biology department received iPads.

Why is everyone so convinced that music does not need technology? Music as an industry has become completely digital, and yet throughout my high school years I barely used computers in my music classes. It never dawned on me that I might be missing out on key opportunity for advancement.  

But upon reading Bauer’s' articles titled "Conceptual Framework" and "Personal Learning Network", I began to see what a valuable tool technology can be for an educator; in particular a music educator. Studies have shown that technology is known to improve student’s achievement, help with problem solving, increase motivation, and prepare them better for the real world.

Then I got to think about all the different ways technology can be used in music. Composition, analysis, listening exercises, audio technology, sound equipment, and online music exercises all at ones fingertips. Imagine a class where each student was given a computer on which to compose, record, and edit a song. He or she would learn much more about theory than any student learning out of a textbook. If the school boards gave music a chance with technology, programs could grow to new heights. For most music teachers however, the sad reality is that they must make do with what little means they are given.

The good thing though is that if teachers are willing to go above and beyond the call of duty, they can use technology to help further their cause without breaking the schools budget. Social media sights can be highly beneficial for educators. Twitter feeds, blogs, podcasts, and wiki links can show teachers new techniques and methods, as well as spark ideas for future lessons. With so much information at ones fingertips a teacher can learn valuable techniques from the comfort of their recliner. 

I never realized how many different ways technology could be harnessed to help an educator. But after reading these articles, it has definitely been proven to me that technology is a valuable asset for making a good teacher even better. If an educator knows his or her subject, knows how to teach it, and knows how to integrate technology into the lesson he or she can help to teach students and have them actually comprehend what is being given to them. We are entering a dawning age of new technology and must embrace it and use it to our advances as opposed to fighting and losing vital opportunities.