Wednesday, November 25, 2009
RAND corporation
The RAND Corporation is a think tank that addresses almost every kind of issue. Do a search on music, then refine it for lyrics, NCLB, singing, lessons or another subtopic. It's another place for finding information for the review of literature.
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Soundbeam
Soundbeam allows differently-abled people to create music in through basic movements. This is an assistive technology device that meets the needs of music educators and music therapists. Many times, mainstreamed students are handed a shaker or pair of rhythms sticks to be part of the class. Soundbeam would allow them to participate in the composition process by adding a melodic line, not just a rhythm.
The video and several other son the Soundbeam site show students with multiple disabilities. I believe this device would be effective for students with more abilities but who still require assistance.
Apple incorporates voice over, spotlight search and closed captioning for differently-abled folks. There are several videos to watch that share the stories of folks who use Switch SX, Keystrokes and Proloquo. A woman in France types by a jaw movement. Leigh-Anne Tompkins, a graphic artist who runs her own company, draws with her foot and a trackball. She says it best, "Being disabled doesn't mean an inability to function, it only means we function in a unique way." Apple is doing great things for people.
The video and several other son the Soundbeam site show students with multiple disabilities. I believe this device would be effective for students with more abilities but who still require assistance.
Apple incorporates voice over, spotlight search and closed captioning for differently-abled folks. There are several videos to watch that share the stories of folks who use Switch SX, Keystrokes and Proloquo. A woman in France types by a jaw movement. Leigh-Anne Tompkins, a graphic artist who runs her own company, draws with her foot and a trackball. She says it best, "Being disabled doesn't mean an inability to function, it only means we function in a unique way." Apple is doing great things for people.
New Horizons
What would your life been like if you had not started playing or singing when you did? What would you have done with your time? Do you think there would have been a hole in your spirit because you didn't join band or orchestra or choir? What would have filled that void?
New Horizons International Music Association has filled that void for many mature adults who didn't have the opportunity to play an instrument when they were in school. The program was started in 1991 by Dr. Roy Ernst of Eastman School of Music. It originally was designed for folks age 50 and older, but now welcomes adults of any age. New Horizon bands are all over the country and in Ireland and Canada.
From the web site:
"Active participation in music fills important needs for adults – the need for challenging intellectual activity, the need to be a contributing member of a group, and the need to have exciting events in the future. For many people, music can serve these vital needs better than anything else. It provides an opportunity to experience profound and serious thoughts or joyful moments. It makes connections to the past, the present and the future. It also connects one to other individuals and other cultures. Making music is a way of making vital connections to life. Early studies indicate that music making can reduce depression and increase the strength of the immune system. "
The nearest New Horizons Band is held at Baldwin-Wallace College Conservatory and is part of the Institute for Learning in Retirement.
Music educators should know about community organizations that are available for their students after graduation. We want our students to be able to play independently of us, to be confident musicians who can be part of an ensemble. We want them to continue to play their instruments or sing throughout their lives.
New Horizons International Music Association has filled that void for many mature adults who didn't have the opportunity to play an instrument when they were in school. The program was started in 1991 by Dr. Roy Ernst of Eastman School of Music. It originally was designed for folks age 50 and older, but now welcomes adults of any age. New Horizon bands are all over the country and in Ireland and Canada.
From the web site:
"Active participation in music fills important needs for adults – the need for challenging intellectual activity, the need to be a contributing member of a group, and the need to have exciting events in the future. For many people, music can serve these vital needs better than anything else. It provides an opportunity to experience profound and serious thoughts or joyful moments. It makes connections to the past, the present and the future. It also connects one to other individuals and other cultures. Making music is a way of making vital connections to life. Early studies indicate that music making can reduce depression and increase the strength of the immune system. "
The nearest New Horizons Band is held at Baldwin-Wallace College Conservatory and is part of the Institute for Learning in Retirement.
Music educators should know about community organizations that are available for their students after graduation. We want our students to be able to play independently of us, to be confident musicians who can be part of an ensemble. We want them to continue to play their instruments or sing throughout their lives.
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Life in these digital states
We encourage our students to say please and thank you and to cover their mouth when they cough and now we must add to list a request turn off the cell phone at concerts and movies and to not chat during class. As life has expanded digitally, a whole new level of etiquette and safety has emerged. Text language is unacceptable in academic writing and students should be able to understand why without a lot of explanation. Teachers need to check and double check sites before sending students off on a WebQuest or in search of information. I believe that this is all part of the responsibility.
Copyright laws can be complicated and confusing. The University of Maryland article answers many questions about what can and cannot be copied. Here is another site that deals specifically with music copyright. This is another situaiton where music educators need to be models for students. As teachers copy music, let their phone ring during class, and forget to say please and thank you, they will let their students believe that it is an acceptable way of life.
Copyright laws can be complicated and confusing. The University of Maryland article answers many questions about what can and cannot be copied. Here is another site that deals specifically with music copyright. This is another situaiton where music educators need to be models for students. As teachers copy music, let their phone ring during class, and forget to say please and thank you, they will let their students believe that it is an acceptable way of life.
percussion resource
I've always enjoyed a good percussion feature. Rowloff now has downloads of audio and video for their 2010 literature. There's a piece for ladders called Rung Again. Some of the videos are very laughable, but just keep watching (Escape from Pirate Cove)! You'll get to the audio!
These arrangements are very playable. They are graded easy, medium and advanced. There are novelty pieces and Christmas arrangements and plenty of other resources. Younger students might find success with the Sicles series. These pieces would be good for junior high solo and ensemble.
These arrangements are very playable. They are graded easy, medium and advanced. There are novelty pieces and Christmas arrangements and plenty of other resources. Younger students might find success with the Sicles series. These pieces would be good for junior high solo and ensemble.
Saturday, November 7, 2009
One challenge for music educators is to consider the various learning styles in our lessons. How do we reach all the learners when our main avenue is a performing ensemble? What about technology class? We consider Gardner's multiple intelligences and create lesson plans that will touch on all those learning styles. The points made in Nancy Driscoll's article direct us to four main styles of learning. Technology can address all these styles, but there is still a time when students need to be away from the computer and interacting with each other. A balance should be maintained so we don't lose track of the spirit within the child.
Prensky's article was written in 2001. His points are well directed and clear. Teaches who have felt lost in technology, or who have refused to learn about it, may have moved on. Teachers who are aware of the changing trends in learning and teaching have embraced technology and have prepared themselves to meet the needs of the students. Unfortunately, many schools still do not have adequate hardware and software of support the teachers new knowledge.
Along with Prensky's comments about traditional curriculum, I raise the question of year-round school. Summers are time away from school to help with the crops. Would student learning be enhanced by year-round school with shorter breaks? He speaks of 'legacy' content and 'future' content. This seems very shallow in the concept of what is being taught. There is even more than digital and technological content. We must still consider our students as human beings with hearts and souls, emotions and consciences, laughter and a desire to learn.
Prensky's article was written in 2001. His points are well directed and clear. Teaches who have felt lost in technology, or who have refused to learn about it, may have moved on. Teachers who are aware of the changing trends in learning and teaching have embraced technology and have prepared themselves to meet the needs of the students. Unfortunately, many schools still do not have adequate hardware and software of support the teachers new knowledge.
Along with Prensky's comments about traditional curriculum, I raise the question of year-round school. Summers are time away from school to help with the crops. Would student learning be enhanced by year-round school with shorter breaks? He speaks of 'legacy' content and 'future' content. This seems very shallow in the concept of what is being taught. There is even more than digital and technological content. We must still consider our students as human beings with hearts and souls, emotions and consciences, laughter and a desire to learn.
urbanmusiceducation blog
This blog includes GarageBand projects, a WebQuest and other lesson plans from a music educator in a Denver, CO school. Some of the podcasts are lesson plans and teacher descriptions. Other podcasts are student reports with students reading their reports and showing photos. A link takes you to Podcasting in the Music Classroom. There's some good advocacy information and it even includes the National Standards Song.
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