Week 1 Discussion

Before this week’s readings and lecture I would have said that without a doubt I understand how to use technology in my classroom. After reading the material though, I would have to switch my answer and say that even though I am a digital native I do not have a good understanding of how to incorporate technology into my own classroom. Most of the technology I use in my classroom is more for administrative tasks, like creating newsletters or projecting song lyrics on my board. When it comes to actually utilizing technology in a student centered way I have to admit I am a little behind.

In my elementary music room I do not have any computers except for my own personal desktop. I use my computer every day to do administrate tasks and I also use it to project onto my board. Though I have a projector, I do not have a Smartboard or Promethean Board to hook it up to. My projector just projects on my whiteboard and I use a wireless mouse to interact with my computer. I do use several “SmarkBoard-Esque” lessons and have the students interact with the materials on the board. My school also does have technology carts and computer labs I can sign out, but I have never made use of them. I also use technology in the way of a sound system and Bluetooth hookup to my IPod for music that we are listening to in my classroom. I believed that since I used these things in my room I was really integrating technology into the lessons, but after reading the articles I believe that I was settling into the outer areas of the TPACK chart. I am looking forward to find and discover more ways to use technology in my content area, to instruct my students.

The biggest use I have seen for technology use so far is through lessons on composing. Though I find this a useful skill and a great unit for teaching, I am struggling with understanding how to integrate technology in the majority of lessons for practically everything else. I am looking forward to discovering new ways to use technology to enhance my teaching. I am particularly interested in the area of global sharing and working with other music programs around the world to enhance my teaching. I am the only elementary music teacher in my school district, sometime it is a very isolated world, and I think that through global sharing and connecting with other teachers I can have the opportunity to learn new ways to teach and how to integrate technology into my lessons.

Comments

  1. Natalie DelVecchioOctober 28, 2017 at 7:02 AM

    We both are in in the same position with incorporating technology. I have a smart board in my elementary classroom but it isn't even hooked up to my laptop. I scribble notes and rhythms on the board and call it a day. Obviously the kids are still learning but interactive programs would help them learn better and faster! I have a projector in my high school classroom and use it on a daily basis, like you. I show videos and Power Points every day but have to project it on a wall. I don't even have a screen. Technology is half way there in my schools and I'm also excited to discovering new ways to use it and enhance my teaching.

    ReplyDelete
  2. CharlesOctober 28, 2017 at 4:36 PM

    I would love to share some of things I use in my classroom. Have you ever heard of QuaverMusic.com? If not, its a wonderful online curriculum with interactive songs, games, videos, and activities for elementary music. I use it daily and pull up my songs and activities for the day. The kids love it and it has brought them and me so much joy. I've also used some other resources like youtube and interactive materials offered through different music catalogs. I love integrating technology in the classroom and I'm excited to learn more to use in my classroom.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Week 2 Reflection

Week two's lecture and readings discussed  many ways to create music through composition, improvisation. and being creative. My initial thoughts while listening to the lecture were very reminiscent. I remember talking about these various notating software and uses while I was in my undergrad. The newer programs, the web-based notation devices, was new but I have been using Noteflight extensively for the last three years so I feel up to date with those. As I began to read chapter three though I was hit with what I felt was a barrage of information on the process of creating, composing, and improvising. My first thoughts were on improvising. I teach primarily elementary aged students and I have been playing with the idea of improvising more lately because it is in our state-standards. What I have learned through the years is improvising can be so simple to teach in the littlest of way. For example, my students get to choose what rhythms to sing for the song, or what pattern of mi-...
Read more

SmartMusic Review

Image
SmartMusic is a program that allows students and teachers to explore, practice, and listen to music through using either the software or the new web-based program. I have used SmartMusic before but I was shocked to see how much the program has changed, for the better, since the last time I have explored the program. The materials offered have vastly increased over the year, including the music listed on the software. The ease of navigation has improved and the use of the technology for a classroom has increased. Though I feel there are still some negatives about SmartMusic and its implementation I can vastly appreciate the positives of using this program in a performing classroom. Materials Offered The first thing I noticed about the new SmartMusic web-based program was the abundance of music available. Though I was not able look at the entire library without having an account I was able to see lists of music that was being added to the library. I was excited to see how many new ...
Read more

Week 7 Discussion

         The first section of Chapter 8 discusses the role technology has in assisting music teachers with the organization and management of a music program with tasks not related to conducting ensembles, teaching general music classes or music theory classes.  “Technology can serve as an important role for teachers in being productive with these responsibilities” (Bauer, 2014, p.169).  Technology can help “to facilitate overall organization, communication, public relations and advocacy, the creation and acquisition of instructional support materials, data management, travel, and maintenance of financial records” (Bauer, 2014, p. 169).  I have found the use of technology, especially Google Drive, Google Docs, and Google Sheets extremely helpful over the past few years with managing all of the above tasks.  Editing any document such as a music library database, or instrument inventory from a phone, tablet, or computer is v...
Read more