The Guide We've All Been Searching For

Dr. Christopher J. Russell has given us the answer to the question us music educators will always be asking: How can I use more technology in my classroom?  His book, Practical Technology for Music Education, was written specifically with the music classroom in mind.  He states that this book was meant to be an "ideal manual" for teachers.  Although it discusses various forms of technologies, its main focus is on iOS devices, particularly the use of iPads.  Dr. Russell has experience as a high school music teacher so I feel confident that this book would be a great help to both new and experienced music teachers alike.  Check it out!

A different direction

In trying to think about the next topic I wanted to talk about on here, I couldn't get the idea of acoustic v. electric instruments out of my head (electric being new technology).  There are certain instances where electric can be beneficial, but overall I think there are some situations that this technology hurts more than it helps.  For example, you can't have an orchestra of electric violins, violas, cellos, and basses.  That would be way too many amps to set up, and it'd be harder to blend sounds and the volume would be almost uncontrollable.  And I would hate to think of what an electric clarinet or flute would sound like.  This makes me think of how bad electric keyboards are at imitating the sounds of wind instruments.  The one instance in which electric instruments and amps come in handy would be for the bass player in a jazz ensemble.  You can either use an acoustic bass with an amp or electric bass with an amp and it would be a great improvement from not having the bass player amplified.

Interactivity #5

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0Apw3zxbJNbnmdF9jMmhNd3M3LVhfY3phUVc5d3AzdlE

I interviewed a music teacher at West Milford High School, NJ.  This includes grades 9-12.  When I initially emailed him a little over a week ago, he was unfamiliar with both the NETS-S and the NETS-T.  I decided that sending him the links to the ISTE website would be a much easier and faster way for him to understand what I would be asking him about rather than to try and explain what they are myself.  After reading up on these standards, he wasn't at all surprised that his district was seemingly unaware of them, himself included.  He claims that, "West Milford's school district seems to be stuck in the Dark Ages when it comes to technology."  He continued by saying the most advanced piece of technology they utilize is the Honeywell Instant Alert system which automatically notifies parents when buses are running late, school is cancelled or delayed, or if there is an emergency.  Other than that I was told that the only technologies being used within the music department are audio systems, projectors, and electric keyboards; and some of the other schools don't even have projectors or keyboards.  Outside the music department, there is also a shortage of technological advancement.  In the high school there are few classes devoted to computers and similar technologies, and there is only a media center with desktop computers.  Also, there are usually only those portable old school projectors that require those sheets of plastic that can be written on.  He describes all this with frustration and sadness.  When I asked him what his ideal classroom in the music department would hold he just went on and on about all these different devices.  Laptops with Garage Band, Sibelius, Audacity, and multiple digital recorders were just some of the things he listed.

After concluding this interview through several emails, I wasn't really surprised about his responses.  I am a graduate of West Milford High School and I know it is a district that never tends to change.  Everything he described was exactly how it was from the time I started middle school in 7th grade all the way through graduating from high school.  Now that I'm aware of the NETS-S and NETS-T all I want to do is go to an open Board of Education meeting back in my hometown district and stress the importance of technology.  Even if they deny that funding is available to make a district-wide change in every classroom, I still would like to try and convince the Board to at least add a class requirement to the high school that teaches them about the most recent technologies and how they can be used.  Not only are these technologies important for future educators, but they benefit all other occupations as well.

If I come across the same problems in whatever district I will be teaching in after graduation I will definitely make my voice heard about this situation.  Technology can only improve a district, not cause it to regress.

At the press of a button

http://www.musictechmag.co.uk/

I literally just spent and hour and a half browsing this website.  It has everything you could ever need to know about what the best music technology out there is.  It keeps you up to date on new releases and updates and gives reviews on EVERYTHING.