RA#4

I have always seen technology as an asset to education and never considered all the problems it can cause. With technology ever changing, it is so difficult to keep up. In a matter of years and sometimes months, programs become outdated. Not only is this a problem with compatibility, but also a problem with cost. It is expensive to continue upgrading, and teachers and schools can not always afford these costs. However, teaching old outdated programs will not help students as they go out into the job market.

In addition with the ever changing technology, I never put much thought into technology as being a hindrance at times to our education and learning. Though the benefits far outweigh the problems, technology is not as reliable as a good old pencil and paper. Files are lost, data is lost, electricity goes out before saving a project, computers crash, etc. These are all things that must be kept in mind when using technology. It is important to keep many backup files so that your files will never be completely lost.

I had never thought about writing as being a sign of human limitation. I also viewed writing as a great development throughout human history where mankind could convey ideas on a solid format to be passed on from generation to generation. However, if man had the ability to remember everything they heard, there would be no need to write anything down. Writing is a tool that must be used in teaching and learning. As a teacher, you must have some general ideas planned as to what during your class period. Most teachers can not remember every single detail they planned to discuss, so having a layout to help remind you is a good idea.

Storybird: The Mermaid and the Gold

http://storybird.com/books/the-mermaid-and-the-gold-by-michael-carpenter/?token=dncscjv57q

When I have my own classroom, I will use storybird to teach lessons and to encourage students to use their imaginations. Storybird could be a fun option to use outside of powerpoint. I will expect my students to write their own music, and Storybird is a great tool to spark imagination and creativity.
Depending on the age group of the students that I will be teaching, I can also use Storybird as a reward for students. Over the course of the year, students can work together to create their own stories, then present them on given days. This will give the students a chance to share their own ideas and stories with others.
In using Storybird as a teaching tool, again it will depend on the age group. However, similar to the animation programs, I can use Storybird to teach an entire lesson, say on secondary dominant chords. This would not be absolutely necessary, but it would provide a nice change of pace from a typical lecture. For younger students, it could be exciting. To older students, it could be funny change of pace. After presenting my own Storybird lesson, I could ask the students to make their own on the same topic and present it to the class.

"Go Animate: Rookie Mistake"

First Day teaching by Michael on GoAnimate

Animation Software - Powered by GoAnimate.

In my music classroom, I can use animation tools like this to find fun and interesting ways to teach what can be considered boring subjects. For example, learning about triad positions can be rather boring at times, but hearing Captain Broccoli teach it can be funny and interesting. A fun animation can be a welcome break from your typical lecture, almost like a guest presenter coming into class. I can also encourage my students to use animation to show how much they have learned about the topic. Many students are afraid to get up in front of the class and speak. They can use animation instead, which can be a fun way of giving a presentation.

Xtranormal Activity: The Experience

Magazine Cover

Educational Gaming: Musaic

http://www.best1000games.com/musaic/#  - The game that we chose supports the development of 21st century skills by incorporating problem solving into the game by giving you different musical excerpts and asking you to assemble them in the correct order.   Problem solving is a very big part of 21^st century learning. The video we watched on Tuesday said “We want our students not only to be consumers of technology but designers of technology.” This game follows this quote by encouraging students to construct and design their own musical phrases.

This game supports ISTE-Net Standard Number 2:

 Design and Develop Digital Age Learning Experiences and Assessments: Develop technology-enriched learning environments that enable all students to pursue their individual curiosities and become active participants in setting their own educational goals, managing their own learning, and assessing their own progress.

The game combines music education and computer technology to encourage the students in music creativity and problem solving.  The game supports content learning in language arts by asking the student to create musical phrases in the correct order.

Cmp.psu.edu  - This project goes along with the game we chose because it provides opportunities to engage with classical music artists and programs.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=65OvHoDAdNk   - This video helps teach students how to connect musical phrases.

RA #3

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B6DFAmexYq7vMTFmZjZhNWItZWY5Ni00NzdhLWIxYzItMmE4NmI0MGI5NzJl/edit?hl=en
"News and its images are always selected truth" (Debbie Abilock)
Some people think that they can get unbiased media, but they forget one thing, most people are biased and have their opinions already made up. Many people that don't have strong opinions is not because they are unbiased, but rather that they just don't care. Hidden agendas are found everywhere, whether you're watching CNN, NBC, Fox News, etc. If you want the truth, you have to do some reporting on your own. Let's face it, news organizations want readers and watchers, and they know what news will appeal to their viewers. Money drives the bottom line. This is the reality, like it or not. Instead of blaming the news networks, maybe we should take on the responsibility to find the truth. After all, we have our own minds and don't need elites in the higher ups of society making decisions for us. Now if you don't care about the truth, then I guess it doesn't matter. However, if you do, do some research yourself. That's not to say that you need to travel to Iraq and report for yourself, but you can check multiple sources and sort through the facts and the fables. Let's face it, in general, we like to be told what to believe. It's just easier that way. Apply to another aspect of life, music. Why do many so many people like Mozart? Is it because each one has compared his music to others and found it to be great, or is it because we were told that Mozart is one of the greatest musicians to live? This nation was founded on independence. Why are we so quickly giving up our mental independence? Think for yourself and you'll be amazed at what you will discover about the world.


This video shows how important it is for the future of the country for us to be media literate. With our economy already struggling the way it is, we don't need millions of people who think the exact same way. That has always been a recipe for failure.

References: Abilock, D. A Seven Power Lens on 21st Century Literacy https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B6DFAmexYq7vMTFmZjZhNWItZWY5Ni00NzdhLWIxYzItMmE4NmI0MGI5NzJl/edit?hl=en
The New Media Consortium. The Report of the 21st Century Summit
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d9ZRDRPqoXo