Well, I have to say it has been a pretty cool journey exploring all of the different tech tools that I can use in music with my first Ed Tech class. Being a more "old school" teacher in many of my teaching philosophies, I never thought that I would find so many unique, interesting tools for incorporating technology into my music classroom. Like many elementary general music teachers, I see students a limited amount of time per week--2 times per week for only 25 minutes each. With the hardest classes, time always DRAGS, but 25 minutes is usually not a lot of time to get ANYTHING accomplished. We are working pretty much bell to bell from the time that students enter to the time that they leave. And there is NO transition time at all between classes! I love the fact that I can teach six different grade levels and pretty much plan what I teach without a specific regimen. Of course I follow the curriculum, but I am always looking for new ideas and tools to make music more engaging.
More engaging? Yes, we are the "fun" specials time away from the "academic" rigor of the everyday classroom; but for some kids this can be intimidating. Maybe this is not their favorite subject, or maybe there is a fear of performance (we've all been there, right?), or maybe they just struggle with school in general. It seems like today more than ever students come in with more severe needs than the previous years. So seeing students on a limited basis makes it difficult to address all of these constantly changing needs. BUT, whatever their individual need, it is my job to help students enjoy their time with me and hopefully inspire them to become the best they can be.
So when I originally signed up for my first "official" tech class, I wasn't sure how much I was actually going to be able to use in my general music classroom. I have taken some professional development classes before on different technologies, but they had mostly consisted of a few hours here and there on a Wednesday morning, or a few days in the summer. These were mostly introductions to the technologies, a little playtime, and then that's it, put it on the back shelf until I actually have time to figure out how to use it for my music classes--which is...NEVER.
Outside of these experiences, I have never really taken an on-line class before, so I wasn't sure what to expect. The only experience I have had with this was this past summer in which I completed my Google certified educator training. This was pretty much a self-paced class that I could complete while relaxing on my back patio. I answered a few questions at the end of each unit, took the test at the end, submitted my certificate of completion, and BAM! I had my "one hour" of professional development. So imagine my surprise as I discovered all of these awesome music tech tools that I could actually use with my music students and not eat up a ton of class time!
Initially, I was a little overwhelmed as I looked at the class calendar, seeing that each week consisted of multiple assignments: readings and/or videos, a discussion post, comments on others' posts, and a technology project. I wasn't sure how I was going to do this with all of the other family and school responsibilities I had. But as I worked my way through the assignments each week, I found that the work was really worth it. I found great tools to use with my students, AND had the opportunity to dig deeper into the ed tech tools that I had been introduced to but not really had a chance to use.
For example, I had heard of some teachers in my building who had been using FlipGrid in their classrooms, and had seen some of the student examples which were really cool; however, I never had the chance to have any training on how to actually USE it so never really considered incorporating it into my lessons. Well, the first project that we had during week 1 was to introduce yourself using FlipGrid. So through my own process of trial and error, I was able to figure out how to use this new tech tool. This sounded a lot like what we have learned in best practices for developing creativity through technology (White-McNulty, L. 2018).
After having struggled through my own learning curve using FlipGrid for this assignment, I now would definitely consider using it in my lessons! In fact, I included it in one of my projects for this class in a HyperDoc which I will be using with my upcoming 4th grade lessons. Before taking this Ed Tech class, I probably would have filed this tech tool away as something "cool" but "not really going to use in my class because it is going to take me too long to figure out," and never would have considered using it again. This class challenged me to learn a new technology and grow as an educator. And so I became a tech learner as I experienced ISTE-E Standard 1a "set professional learning goals to explore and apply pedagogical approaches made possible by technology and reflect on their effectiveness" (ISTE Standards for Educators, 2017).
Another way I feel I have grown through this class is in my understanding of the technology standards. Before taking this Ed Tech class, I had heard of technology standards, but I had no idea that there were standards for TEACHERS as well as STUDENTS. The ISTE-S assignment in week 3 was very time consuming to complete, but it really helped me understand the nuts and bolts of each standard. By requiring a tech project for each standard, this assignment forced me to dig deeper into understanding each of the seven ISTE standards for students and focus on how I would use each of those in my music classes. In completing this assignment, I discovered that I have a pretty good knowledge of how to incorporate technology to meet those standards. For example, I discovered that by introducing the Soundtrap on-line composition program to students, I had already met the ISTE-Standard 1a "students articulate and set personal learning goals, develop strategies leveraging technology to achieve them and reflect on the learning process itself to improve learning outcomes" (ISTE Standards for Students, 2017). However, it took actually analyzing each standard for me to realize how I could apply these in my classes. And I realized all of the tools that I already have access to.
More engaging? Yes, we are the "fun" specials time away from the "academic" rigor of the everyday classroom; but for some kids this can be intimidating. Maybe this is not their favorite subject, or maybe there is a fear of performance (we've all been there, right?), or maybe they just struggle with school in general. It seems like today more than ever students come in with more severe needs than the previous years. So seeing students on a limited basis makes it difficult to address all of these constantly changing needs. BUT, whatever their individual need, it is my job to help students enjoy their time with me and hopefully inspire them to become the best they can be.
So when I originally signed up for my first "official" tech class, I wasn't sure how much I was actually going to be able to use in my general music classroom. I have taken some professional development classes before on different technologies, but they had mostly consisted of a few hours here and there on a Wednesday morning, or a few days in the summer. These were mostly introductions to the technologies, a little playtime, and then that's it, put it on the back shelf until I actually have time to figure out how to use it for my music classes--which is...NEVER.
Outside of these experiences, I have never really taken an on-line class before, so I wasn't sure what to expect. The only experience I have had with this was this past summer in which I completed my Google certified educator training. This was pretty much a self-paced class that I could complete while relaxing on my back patio. I answered a few questions at the end of each unit, took the test at the end, submitted my certificate of completion, and BAM! I had my "one hour" of professional development. So imagine my surprise as I discovered all of these awesome music tech tools that I could actually use with my music students and not eat up a ton of class time!
Initially, I was a little overwhelmed as I looked at the class calendar, seeing that each week consisted of multiple assignments: readings and/or videos, a discussion post, comments on others' posts, and a technology project. I wasn't sure how I was going to do this with all of the other family and school responsibilities I had. But as I worked my way through the assignments each week, I found that the work was really worth it. I found great tools to use with my students, AND had the opportunity to dig deeper into the ed tech tools that I had been introduced to but not really had a chance to use.
For example, I had heard of some teachers in my building who had been using FlipGrid in their classrooms, and had seen some of the student examples which were really cool; however, I never had the chance to have any training on how to actually USE it so never really considered incorporating it into my lessons. Well, the first project that we had during week 1 was to introduce yourself using FlipGrid. So through my own process of trial and error, I was able to figure out how to use this new tech tool. This sounded a lot like what we have learned in best practices for developing creativity through technology (White-McNulty, L. 2018).
After having struggled through my own learning curve using FlipGrid for this assignment, I now would definitely consider using it in my lessons! In fact, I included it in one of my projects for this class in a HyperDoc which I will be using with my upcoming 4th grade lessons. Before taking this Ed Tech class, I probably would have filed this tech tool away as something "cool" but "not really going to use in my class because it is going to take me too long to figure out," and never would have considered using it again. This class challenged me to learn a new technology and grow as an educator. And so I became a tech learner as I experienced ISTE-E Standard 1a "set professional learning goals to explore and apply pedagogical approaches made possible by technology and reflect on their effectiveness" (ISTE Standards for Educators, 2017).
Another way I feel I have grown through this class is in my understanding of the technology standards. Before taking this Ed Tech class, I had heard of technology standards, but I had no idea that there were standards for TEACHERS as well as STUDENTS. The ISTE-S assignment in week 3 was very time consuming to complete, but it really helped me understand the nuts and bolts of each standard. By requiring a tech project for each standard, this assignment forced me to dig deeper into understanding each of the seven ISTE standards for students and focus on how I would use each of those in my music classes. In completing this assignment, I discovered that I have a pretty good knowledge of how to incorporate technology to meet those standards. For example, I discovered that by introducing the Soundtrap on-line composition program to students, I had already met the ISTE-Standard 1a "students articulate and set personal learning goals, develop strategies leveraging technology to achieve them and reflect on the learning process itself to improve learning outcomes" (ISTE Standards for Students, 2017). However, it took actually analyzing each standard for me to realize how I could apply these in my classes. And I realized all of the tools that I already have access to.
While this class has challenged me with some interesting technology projects, it has also introduced me to some very cool databases of technology resources. Who knew there were free technology resources outside of Teachers Pay Teachers? I LOVED exploring the resources available through the Illinois OER and the OER Commons! I found soo many cool music lessons using technology that I could actually use! Do you know how hard it is to find on-line FREE music resources? This was a fantastic find for me, and I KNOW it will save a ton of time for me in the future! Many music websites or resources on-line often are not of very high quality, and I usually end up trashing them once I find them, knowing I will never be able to use them in my classroom. But through the OER Commons I was able to find a ton of good-quality music lessons through the Music Educator's Toolbox of the Carnegie Hall Weill Music Institute. These are GREAT lessons, with video demonstrations in ACTUAL classrooms of REAL teachers and students! I also love the fact that these lessons are compatible with Google Classroom and offer many ways to differentiate! I was SOOO excited to find these! I have been searching FOREVER for good quality on-line resources, and through this class was able to finally find some that I can actually use. Not only was I able to use these resources for our OER Treasure Hunt project, but also will be able to continue to use these for future lessons.
While I could go on and on about many more cool ideas I have gained through this class, I will finish by reflecting back on some of the TED talk videos from our Resources. I really appreciated having access to these videos in our weekly Resources, and glad to see that they were being suggested as resources for our assignments. I first became introduced to the TED talk videos at a music institute day several years ago. It was a video by Sir Ken Robinson on the importance of creativity in our schools, Do Schools Kill Creativity? (2007), the same video that we actually had in our Resources for this class! Since then I have utilized MANY of the TED talks to supplement key ideas we are discussing at any given point in class. I have found these to be AWESOME resources that not only reach kids' interests, but are also great for music advocacy. I have used TED videos on topics such as the importance of music in our lives, what happens to your brain when you play a musical instrument, and the neuroscience of sound. I love the variety of topics and presenters featured that have been able to appeal to all age levels of students in my classes, including artists such as Vijay Singh, Evelyn Glinnie, and Eric Whitacre. It was great to see that Sir Ken Robinson made it across the curriculum! I never imagined that I would see any of these in a technology class, not to mention focusing on creativity through technology.
Perhaps the greatest take away that I learned from this class was that technology can help students embrace their creativity at all levels, even in music. I was surprised yet satisfied to see that through technology kids can be creative, and there are ways to do that in music too. And I am so glad I took the chance with it.
I have posted a few of my favorite artifacts that I have created using technology.
While I could go on and on about many more cool ideas I have gained through this class, I will finish by reflecting back on some of the TED talk videos from our Resources. I really appreciated having access to these videos in our weekly Resources, and glad to see that they were being suggested as resources for our assignments. I first became introduced to the TED talk videos at a music institute day several years ago. It was a video by Sir Ken Robinson on the importance of creativity in our schools, Do Schools Kill Creativity? (2007), the same video that we actually had in our Resources for this class! Since then I have utilized MANY of the TED talks to supplement key ideas we are discussing at any given point in class. I have found these to be AWESOME resources that not only reach kids' interests, but are also great for music advocacy. I have used TED videos on topics such as the importance of music in our lives, what happens to your brain when you play a musical instrument, and the neuroscience of sound. I love the variety of topics and presenters featured that have been able to appeal to all age levels of students in my classes, including artists such as Vijay Singh, Evelyn Glinnie, and Eric Whitacre. It was great to see that Sir Ken Robinson made it across the curriculum! I never imagined that I would see any of these in a technology class, not to mention focusing on creativity through technology.
Perhaps the greatest take away that I learned from this class was that technology can help students embrace their creativity at all levels, even in music. I was surprised yet satisfied to see that through technology kids can be creative, and there are ways to do that in music too. And I am so glad I took the chance with it.
I have posted a few of my favorite artifacts that I have created using technology.
Resources:
FlipGrid. (2018). Retrieved from https://flipgrid.com/
Illinois OER. (2012-2018). Retrieved from http://ioer.ilsharedlearning.org/
ISTE Standards for Educators. (2017). Retrieved from https://www.iste.org/standards/for-educators
ISTE Standards for Students. (2017). Retrieved from https://www.iste.org/standards/for-students
Music Educator's Toolbox. (2018). Retrieved from https://www.carnegiehall.org/Education/Educators/Music-Educators-Toolbox
OER Commons. (2007-2018). Retrieved from https://www.oercommons.org/
Soundtrap for Education. (2017). Retrieved from https://www.soundtrap.com/
Teachers Pay Teachers. (2018). Retrieved from https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/
White-McNulty, L. (2018). Inspiring Student Learning and Creativity. [Powerpoint Slides]
Retrieved from online notes https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/13YfHDH3KJzvHsnZIM5_KcMIMNHbrgOtreTDSVb09zdY/preview?slide=id.p3
FlipGrid. (2018). Retrieved from https://flipgrid.com/
Illinois OER. (2012-2018). Retrieved from http://ioer.ilsharedlearning.org/
ISTE Standards for Educators. (2017). Retrieved from https://www.iste.org/standards/for-educators
ISTE Standards for Students. (2017). Retrieved from https://www.iste.org/standards/for-students
Music Educator's Toolbox. (2018). Retrieved from https://www.carnegiehall.org/Education/Educators/Music-Educators-Toolbox
OER Commons. (2007-2018). Retrieved from https://www.oercommons.org/
Soundtrap for Education. (2017). Retrieved from https://www.soundtrap.com/
Teachers Pay Teachers. (2018). Retrieved from https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/
TED (January 6, 2007). Do Schools Kill Creativity? [Video file]. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/iG9CE55wbtY
Retrieved from online notes https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/13YfHDH3KJzvHsnZIM5_KcMIMNHbrgOtreTDSVb09zdY/preview?slide=id.p3
