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
All I can say is "wow!" I love that you take the time to produce videos for your students to learn from. I can not think of a better way for your students to learn/practice when you are not around. Also, you are right about our students needing to know how to learn from video demonstrations and computers. On-line learning is on the rise and is here to stay. Our students might as well learn now how to manipulate technology in order to learn.
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