Gapsky's Music

Microsoft's OneNote for Teachers Microsoft office applications were a large part of my education and I used them frequently during high school and college. Within the last five years though I have integrated all of my work into GoogleDrive. I use GoogleDocs, Sheets, Slides, and other features on Google regularly.  I had not heard of or used OneNote up until being introduced during this class. As I got to know the features of OneNote, I found myself comparing it to  Google Docs. The thing that really separates OneNote from other applications is that it is directly geared towards teachers. The program has created a system to make administrative tasks in the teaching world much easier and more efficient. I liked many features of OneNote, but the two that stood out the most were the ease of creating the lesson plans, and the ability to have students work on a group project and collaborate directly through the program. The lesson plan section of OneNote is incredibly easy ...

         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...

In the lecture and readings for week six I really saw my own students in everything that was being described. I teach a wide range of ages and grades, from kindergarten to twelfth grade, and I see the use of music in students’ life and it is very predominant. The biggest use of music I see just walking in the halls with my students at the end of the day is the use of headphones and cell phones to listen to music. I also know that my students love YouTube and are very familiar with using it. I think I could use these popular trends in my own classroom to bridge a technology gap and connect more with the music my students enjoy and the web services they already use. “Throughout history, music has been an integral part of the lives and cultures of all people” (Bauer, 2014, p.104). The importance of music in our culture and our students’ lives is very evident. Most of my high school marching band members can be seen getting on the bus to travel to a football game with a pair of headpho...