Technology in the Music Room


One of the most important elements of this learning process (grant) for me has been the emphasis on taking small steps. Technology can be overwhelming as one of my partners shared in her posting about the NCCE conference, but we take it one small project at a time..."This week I'll learn how to import names into Easy Grade Pro, next week I hope to upload a video on the school website!" I've been trying to encourage my partners and colleagues with this mantra, "Let a small goal or project that you really need done drive you to learn something new." Then give yourself a pat on the back as you check it off your to-do list!

This video represents a small goal I had. One of the music teachers in our district put a file from iTunes (free) on the district's server for the rest of the music teachers. I was embarassed to admit that the shared drive intimidated me. I didn't know how to use it and often heard people say they had put things there for the purpose of sharing. Anyway, I became determined that I had to figure this out. It had huge potential to help my 6th grade guitar class. Well, as the stories often go, it wasn't difficult to learn how to download from the shared drive (with help from our help desk!) and this free video series from Dave Wish (Little Kids Rock) has improved my guitar class immensely! As you can see, ELL students greatly benefit from this clear, visual resource. Every student in my class has a chance to see how to make the chords and then gets to play along with a rockin' sound track. Dave is entertaining and cool and plays the guitar much better than I do!