Week 4 Discussion


I was really excited to delve into this week's topic of performance and practice through technology because I felt I was finally going to see how to incorporate technology every day in my classroom, instead of just in a unit for composing. As I was reading chapter four, I latched onto a sentence that talked about "technology-assisted learning" (pg 93). This term really resonated with me because I feel technology can be a powerful tool in a music rehearsal and it can enhance the performance. Reflecting about this term I really thought about two topics, using technology to develop better practice habits and using technology to model good playing.

The first topic about practicing was discussed in chapter four as well as in the weekly lecture. I love the use of the software SmartMusic to create great practice habits. I have used this program in the past for small assignments when we were offered trial runs of the program. I work at a summer music camp where we use SmartMusic to hold our auditions before the students arrive at the camp. It was a great tool for us to use and most of the students were able to comprehend how to operate the system without much difficulties. In my own rehearsals, I would love to use SmartMusic more as a practice aid instead of a way to just test or audition students. The use of SmartMusic to create weekly practice journals I think would be a huge hit with the students because they can actually use technology to guide them through their practicing. "When students do not possess adequate intrinsic motivation to practice regularly, they often need to be motivated extrinsically" (pg 81). I think the use of a software like SmartMusic would benefit the students who lack the proper motivation to practice weekly. They can follow a guide on SmartMusic where they can see exactly where they are making mistakes and they can follow along. I also like the fact that they can play along with accompaniment or their own part, which is a great modeling tool. The only negative I can think of still about SmartMusic is the cost to create a classroom that would have this technology for all of my students.

The other topic in this week that I agreed with was the use of modeling as a great tool in the performance classroom. I have always used modeling to teach my band and choir students. I think it is the reason why I should be a good musician to be a good music teacher, I need to demonstrate so the students can see how it is done properly. I loved the idea of using technology such as making videos to post on a website of how to assemble an instrument, how to articulate, or even how to sing a passage of music. Last week my own students had some great ideas of using YouTube to watch videos of how to assemble their fifth grade band instruments. There are so many good videos on YouTube that model great playing techniques and I think that is a great technology to use. It would also be great to create some custom videos that modeled specific behaviors that I wanted to see in my own classroom. For instance, I could create a video that modeled how I wanted students to enter the band room, warm up, and sit.

Overall this week's content was very illuminating because it showed me how technology really can work everyday in my musical rehearsals. Technology can also be used for individual practicing which can enhance every student's playing. It is amazing the software and resources out there that can enhance your performance and practice experience.

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