PLN

So much information! Is it possible to choose one network and stick to just that one? But not all sites are available for all networks. It appears that by establishing an account on more than one network, articles and information would be duplicated, creating the appearance of more information than is really there. It could easily be information overload.

One site I included in my PLN is Project MUSE, Philosophy of Music Education Review (http://muse.jhu.edu/journals/philosophy_of_music_education_review/summary/v017/17.1.laird.html). This site allows each volume to be searched and articles downloaded.

Noteflight

Bicycle Built for Two
http://www.noteflight.com/scores/view/131e2c31e29388f75942d07434276929d847ce38

Two thumbs down from me.

I found this program difficult to work with. It is possible that it is my computer since the problems I had were related to the mouse and moving across the page. The program did not respond as quickly as I would have liked. I clicked on the measure to insert a pitch and I had to wait for it to show up. If I needed to change a rhythm, it would take longer than expected to make the adjustment. The keyboard shortcuts didn't work and the editing palette didn't stay where I wanted it. The strip layout didn't scroll as I worked. I had to move the scroll bars to see what I was doing.

I'm sure this would be an effective tool for the classroom with the proper hardware. Students could enter a melody and experiment with harmonizations and/or countermelodies.

TPACK article

It is easy to forget the simplicity of a pencil (p. 1) as technology. The idea of any tool to be a piece of technology allows the term to take on new meaning. This article suggests that teachers recognize the kaleidoscope of technological uses and incorporate them into daily practice. What we know about technology is constantly changing, allowing our content knowledge and pedagogical experiences to increase.

Students come to the classroom armed with technological knowledge. Teachers must become made aware of the possibilities for expanding their students’ learning through the use of Smartboards, the internet, blogs and podcasts. Hands-on experiments are still critical to the learning process. The incorporation of technology expands the students’ experiences to include the larger community beyond the classroom. I believe the extreme to classroom technology is seen in the trial of the robot teacher in Japan. http://gadgets.softpedia.com/newsImage/Robot-Teacher-Trialled-at-Japanese-Elementary-School-2.jpg

One important issue mentioned in the article is that “knowledge of technology does not necessarily lead to effective teaching with technology.” (p. 12) Not every software program is going to be effective in every classroom. Care must be taken to ensure that content and concepts are age-appropriate and at the ability level of the students. A student may understand how to manipulate the SmartMusic software, but may not understand how to play eighth notes or know a fingering. The software will tell him he is incorrect, but won’t help him correct the mistake. Technology is a tool that should not be used without the teaching.