iPad in the Music Classroom

The iPad is one of my favorite tools to use in the classroom when it comes to technology! There are so many apps for education, especially with music, that the options for integration into the classroom are endless. In my middle school band classroom I can use my iPad as a metronome, recording device for audio and video, playback recordings, show sheet music, play music, music theory apps, and much more.

The music classroom has many options when it comes to apps to use for the classroom. Music Tech for Teachers presents an app called PracticeMusic for the iPad or iPhone that can be used to track practice sessions at home. Students can record their practice sessions and upload them to the web site. Teachers can then hear what the students are practicing and critique them in class. This is huge because now many of us rely on practice logs signed by parents who may not know if the student is effectively practicing or not. The teacher and the student can listen to the recording in an after school lesson to review what needs improvement.

One of my favorite lessons with the iPad is using the music notation app Notion. The iPad is projected up on the 32' flat screen in my room (don't be too jealous, it's my personal TV I provided for myself) with the Notion app. I select an instrument that is in my band and I can write out a short two measure exercise for the students to learn. The music written is usually a technique I want students to work on during the warm up. I can then have students also write their own two measures using the notation tool and they have to teach it to their section. When it comes to teaching music this is awesome because the student gets to compose music, peer teach the music, and evaluate the composition he or she wrote.

 Here is an example of the Notion app plus the Educreations app.

At the end of the lesson you can save it to use in the future for other lessons. Some schools require students to have a technology portfolio so a student can save their composition and upload it to their technology portfolio! Great way to continue to use the iPad as a teaching tool!

Jordan

Tech in the Classroom

Welcome to my Music Geek Tech blog! I will be showing and discussing different technologies that can be used in the classroom for all subjects but mainly music since that is my forte (sorry, had to be a music geek). This week I will introduce the Music Matters Blog that I am following and demonstrate my favorite technology I have used so far in the classroom, vodcasts!

The Music Matters Blog has a wealth of information about what's going on in the world of music education. It blogs about music technology, podcasts from Carnegie Hall performances, music masterclasses, building a music studio online, technology tips, and much more! There are so many applications for music educators that are useful and can be applied to the classroom.

The most fun I have had with technology in the classroom was when I used Vodcasts! Vodcasts are very similar to podcasts except they are videos instead of audio only. A person can subscribe to podcasts or vodcast through iTunes or any website that has an RSS Feed. (See image below)

When I taught in a technology school in Broward County, Florida, I piloted vodcasting for the school district. I set up vodcasts first for my guitar classes then eventually moved into providing weekly class updates on news and information for my band program. The guitar class vodcasts were instructional so the students could see at home what they were practicing for the week. Here is the news article from The Miami Herald on the pilot podcasting program for the district.

Podcast evolves into teaching tool: Educators and students at Broward Schools are discovering podcasting as a new way to teach and learn.

The technology I used to create the vodcasts were a video camera with USB, iMovie, Photoshop, GarageBand, MacBook, and Apple account to upload videos to iTunes. Here is an example of one of my
vodcast videos.

This is a great instructional tool for any classroom! You can teach quick lessons for any subject for students to view at home so it will reinforce what they are learning in the classroom.

My favorite technology tool I have used thus far in teaching has been the vodcasts (and some podcasts). At the high school level they are a great tool to prepare students for future collegiate or technical courses that are online. Most colleges are offering online classes or even full degrees so the need for learning from videos or online instruction is crucial. The vodcasts I presented for my guitar class helped guide student practice at home and allowed the student to receive instruction on their own time.

I am currently teaching at a Magnet School that is applying for International Baccalaureate accreditation. I plan on integrating vodcasts or podcasts into the classroom instruction so student can have self-guided practice at home and parents can see and hear what their child is working on in class. This is a great way to keep even the non-musical parents updated on what is being learned in the instrumental classroom!

Jordan