Reflection

In this course, I have learned so much about the technology that we use. This class has been a very interesting and fun course. I have so many ideas that I can use with my students. The great thing about this is that I am taking it at the same time that I am trying to obtain my Master Technology Teaching Certificate from the state of Texas. All of these classes out together have really helped me to see how important technology is. I know now that there are so many ways that I can make class more interesting and fun for my students. I see that there is a need to change the way that I teach and make the students more responsible for their learning. This will get them more involved and make them critical thinkers. This critical thinking will give them skills that they need to be successful in today's society.
This class has inspired me to find new and interesting ways to incorporate technology into my class. I am going to make an effort to attend the many trainings that my district has to offer. This will help me to keep up to date with the many things that I can do with students. My goals are going to be simple. First, I want to incorporate more technology into the classroom. So, my first goal is to find out what technologies I can use in my music class. I will set up lab times with the students at least once a month. My second goal is to attend the trainings that the district offers and make sure that I am using those new skills in my class. To accomplish the goals, I am going to rely on the help of my technology guru here at the school. She will be able to guide me and lead me in the right direction. I am ready and willing to do what I need to.

How to use a Blog with my students

I think that in order to use a blog in my music class I will do one of two things.

1). First, I would like to create a weekly blog that has a piece of music and it's composer. I would have a link to a song and ask students to tell me what they think about the piece. I would give them a criteria that they would have to follow, or different questions that I would like answered or even ask them to discuss what about this song makes it part of the genre that we are studying.

2). Secondly, I think that I would like to create a blog in which every week I would put information up about either a composer, a group, a vocalist, or a performer and ask the students to do research on that person and tell me what they feel about the person. Did they hear anything from the person that they enjoyed? Was there something about that person that interested them?

I am not sure which one of these ideas would be best. Ideas???

Some beautiful background music for learning

Studies have shown that when there is soft non-percussive music playing in the background, students perform better on the assignments that they are working on and have more on task performance. My goal is to share some beautiful and soothing music to help students do better in class.

Here is a link to an hour of beautiful instrumental music put together by  dragosdys on their youtube channel. Enjoy!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6__jk7T2sYI

Reference:

Levy, Y. (n.d.). The Effects of Background Music on Learning: A Review of Recent Literature. San Diego, CA.

 

How can music change a child's life?

When I was asked last year to move into the Music teacher position, I was so scared and excited all at the same time. I was sure that I was going to have a good time, but the thought entered my mind as to how I was going to make a difference in the lives of the children that I was teaching. I always seemed to have the one student that other teachers had labeled as the trouble-maker that I was able to help and control. My principal even told me once that I had that "gift" of making those students feel loved, supported, and comfortable. Could I do that in the music room?
Turns out that I have been able to do that with many of my students. I hope to be able to make this blog about how music can help children learn, but for my first post, I think I just want you all to see that we can make a difference in the lives of these children even if they are not our homeroom class. The kids that come to us once or twice a week seem to shine with us because, as specials teachers, we get to see the side of the children that makes them children. In our classes they get to talk, draw, sing, dance, and play. We are their outlet. We are the place where the "troubled" kids can come and show that they too have talents...the non-academic ones. It's a beautiful thing!!!! Isn't it???