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.
Hi Arielle! I wonder, do you feel that you missed anything without technology in your music classroom? The only technology we had was a CD player and one computer for 4 teachers to share with an outdated edition of Sibelius. We had old chalk boards, collapsing ceiling tiles, and just enough instrument lockers. I feel that I missed a lot in the music classroom, personally, now that we talk about music technology so often. A day doesn't go by where I have Finale open on my computer for at least a few hours. I can't imagine not having technology in my classroom. How would you go about asking for new technology in the classroom?
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