Presentations Day 3

Jess Mullin

• overall good presentation
• at times almost too personal
• could have benefited from more facts

• could have moved around a little more

Scott McKown

• great energy
• good humor
• very prepared

• connection between teachers and influence on us 

Constance Zoppi

• interesting topic
• good transitions
• good multimedia
• could look at us a little more
• could have used a little less multimedia/more facts

Jen Gadaree

• very interesting topic
• seem to be very knowledgeable
• don't say um as much- you definitely know what you're talking about and don't need to! :)
• good balance of graphics/text/you speaking
• like how you exemplified for each level, even adults
•  

PLN: Last week wrap-up!

So,
While I'm trying to finish up work for my other classes, I figured I'd write my PLN now!
When researching for my Keynote presentation on my topic(Social Media in Music Education), I was looking on how National Associations in the realm of Music Education use social media tools, and found that many organizations use forums. An internet  forum is defined as "an online discussion site where people can hold conversations in the form of posted messages. " Both NAFME(National Association for Music Educators) and ACDA(American Choral Director's Association) have great online forum sections to their websites that are very easy to navigate.
   On NAFME's website, their forum section is divided  into topics ranging from Band to Music Composition to Advocacy strategies. They also have a section of archived forums if that's what you're looking for, and a freshness tab lets you know how long it's been since someone has posted in a particular section.
  ACDA has an entirely seperate website for its forum, entitled ChoralNet. Choral Net delves much deeper in terms of topics for dicussion, from history and research to program/administration and curriculum. They even have a classifieds section, for people looking for Conductors, Soloists, Accompanists, etc.
  Although this is something I've really only looked at on the surface, Internet forums are definitely something I'll be looking at in greater detail as I advance in my time here to see the future benefits.

Multimedia Presentations 11/30-Tech

Becki Walter-Bullying in Music Education

• really good statistics- great way to start presentation
• explained terms that we may not know
• great graphics
• moved around a lot, overall had a good energy
• kept audience engaged with interesting information, didn't linger too long on one particular subject

• great information about organizations that help to stop bullying and help victims 

Ben Scanlan-

• Used 9/11 as an example of how music touched his life in difficult times- good example of using art and music to heal
• great information on music students vs. non music students and their achievement
• good humor on why music justifies itself- not why it is needed in comparison to academic subjcet
• good example of how music's universal language can encourage communication between different peoples
• Great way to end presentation with Messiaen story
• overall good energy

Alex Wallace

• don't be so nervous! You have great information and know it- just be confident!
• Good graphics- would change up format a little so they're not all collages
• Became more confident as you went along- good job!
• a little short, you coud have elaborated more or used a sound clip!

Michael Papa

• Started off presentation with question- captured my attention
• Explained differences between combo and big band- good for people who didn't know(like me!)
• Good listening example- liked that you showed sheet music too
• Liked that you highlighted improvisation at all levels, starting at elementary- high school and the gradual increase in difficulty
• Liked that you used NAFME suggestions- justified what you were talking about
• Highlighted resources that one could use at the secondary level
• Good humor as well- in explaining students' comfor zones
• Seemed to be very knowledgable on subject

Rob Pietrzak-Ukulele in the Classroom

• Great and interesting topic!
• interesting to learn true pronunciation and history for someone not well-versed 
• highlighted differences between guitar and uke- seemingly similar but there are differences!
• good humor with the John Lennon thing
• liked that you informed us of benefits in music education- cost effectiveness is great!
• good to show how it can be used outside of the classroom
• good sound examples and graphics
• great ending- wrapped up why it's important- would work especially well in front of board of ed

Rebecca Pacuk-Pop Music in the Classroom

• good stats to start off presentation- lots of slides 
• great graphics, liked the graph
• presentation was engaging and moved quickly
• Highlighted importance of integrating contemporary instruments to engage students
• Liked that you highlighted online resources that educators could use
• Liked your PS 22 clip- great example of choirs singing popular music

Multimedia Presentations Day 2

Audrey Garcia: Why is Music Education important?

• good graphics
• great reasoning, backing up information
• overall, very clean presentation. not anything too flashy, but graphics/slides still engaging
• good ending quote
• nice ending with advocacy

Gabe: Music Education and Communaity

• Good presentation style
• Like how it was divided into specific communities- easy to understand
• good reasoning
• not too much text- just enough
• good length

Adam: Drum Corps

• Started off with good question- got us engaged
• funny moments as well
• very knowledgeable about topic
• in depth about audition process- very informative
• at points a little too informal, but not bad
• liked that you showed us specifics of things we might not understand
• good balance of text/graphics

Becky Bernardo: Braille

• Great beginning- very engaging
• good details in explaining logistics
• great balance of graphics/ text/understanding
• nice connection with Stevie Wonder- face we know
• very knowledgeable on topic- especially considering many of us do not know braille music

Tessa Belkin: Suzuki

• Great presence 
• loved the quote you used at end
• good balance of text/graphics
• Effective audio

Jamie Ellison: Kodaly

• Interesting topic
• good facts about Kodaly 
• Could have a little more energy so audience is more engaged in presentation
• seem a little shaky, but improving as presentation continues
• could present a little more to whole audience 
• good graphics- effective

• became stronger when she didn't look at presentation/computer- you definitely know the information. be more confident!

Kristen Lauria: Online Music Education

• liked personal connection to open presentation
• interesting graphics- engaging
• great detail- especially for relatively unknown topic
•  

PLN: Rockin' the Schools(Rock and Roll Hall of Fame)

While trying to find something to blog about this week, and looking specifically for resources that incorporate popular/modern music into the curriculum, I stumbled upon a program from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, called Rockin' the Schools. Although this particular program is for grades K-12, they also have programs to expose children to rock music as early as Pre-K, and through even higher secondary education.
 For each lesson, they highlight what grade levels they would be most appropriate for, include what academic standards the lesson covers, and includes a video and numerous sound clips of songs that pertain to the lesson subject. For example, one lesson is introducing students to rock instruments. The video included shows Pete Seeger's original acoustic guitar, and the sound clips selected highlight specific instruments. Although this is a resource I'd have to investigate more thoroughly, I think it could be a great source to introduce students to rock and roll and the history behind it.
http://rockhall.com/education/inside-the-classroom/rockin/

PLN: NPR and NPR Music

With the election last week, I was listening to NPR quite frequently to get my coverage. I looked more into NPR as a resource outside of just recreational uses, and found that it could actually be quite useful in the classroom. For one, NPR has their own app for smart phones and tablets, and a separate music app that has music related articles, and sound clips from shows that highlight music-related stories. On their website, their articles and clips are separated by genre, so if you're looking for a specific musical style to show your students, it's easy to find it. Especially with writing our philosophies this week, I think using NPR and NPR Music is a great way to incorporate a wide/ http://www.npr.org/music/

PLN: Pinterest

So, this week, while I was searching for information on my topic for our Keynote project( I'm doing how national Music Ed organizations i.e. NAFME utilize social media), I realized that there's one social media site that I've blatantly left out: Pinterest! I'm on Pinterest right now, and although I don't use it too too frequently, I can see how it can be beneficial to music educators or just educators in general. There's a specific account just for National Music Education week that highlights specific Music Ed products for the classroom!
In a more general sense, on Pinterest you can search for boards based on a particular subject; everything from animals to gardening to education. The education section right now has lots of Thanksgiving related pinnings because of the proximity to the holiday, but it also just includes games or activities for any classroom setting.
I think the reason Pinterest is a great resource for teachers is because of its forum-like approach. IF you see a pin that you like, or you notice that you are seeing many pins you like from the same user, "following" this user enables their pins to appear on your dashboard or home page, and you can therefore communicate with them. I think Pinterest is certainly something I'll be looking into for incorporation in my PLN.

http://pinterest.com/all/?category=education

PLN: Guitars in the Classroom

This week, I was talking to some of my friends back home at my high school, some of who are currently enrolled in a beginner level guitar class. This got me thinking about how ways to integrate guitar in the classroom. Although I'm by no means an amazing guitar player, I can play chords and notes, and could definitely use the guitar in basic ways in(I hope!) any level classroom.

I stumbled upon a non-profit organization called Guitars in the Classroom that's mission is to "make hands on music an integral part of learning every subject for students in their classrooms." Again, this mission all ties back in to what I've been talking about the last few weeks, seeing music's other applications in other academic subjects. GITC has regional workshops, in which teachers from respective host schools can create interest in their school for the program, and then it is opened up to other teachers in the region. 75% of the teachers who enroll in the program have no prior musical experience, which I found very interesting. I think that using this in the school I'll teach in would be a great way to spread music advocacy throughout the entire school and even the district; GITC makes musical integration possible for any teacher of any subject or level.

Noteflight Warmup

Here is my Noteflight warmup! This is a vocal warmup I use at the summer camp I work at; it gets the kids warmed up rather quickly and easily, and sometimes I'll speed it up or slow it down a little to keep things interesting!

http://www.noteflight.com/scores/view/04141e2005330dffc5d8dc49fa7288ffa4cdeea4

PLN: ACDA(American Choral Director's Association)

I had first heard about ACDA in high school, when my choral director would have some ACDA choral journals lying around and would let us look at them. They always seemed to have very interesting information in them, and since I've been here I've heard numerous faculty talk about ACDA.  The other day, my choir director even told us that she is the President-elect for the CT chapter, so that made me want to go on their website and learn more.

There are many great components to the ACDA website. Similar to that of NAFME's, there is a forum section, but here it is strictly choral, with discussions on repertoire, rehearsal management, etc. There's also a classifieds section with posts for job opportunities such as paid chorus members, soloists, and conductors, along with scores for sale. There are also repertoire lists for groups ranging from small college level choirs to middle school girls choirs. This is definitely a website I'll look into more, and will definitely consider joining the Hartt ACDA chapter!

http://acda.org/

PLN: Jazz in the Schools(NEA, JALC)

This week, I really wanted to try to find something to add to my PLN that incorporated integrating Jazz Music into an elementary or middle school curriculum. As someone who went to private school all the way until my freshman year, I was not exposed to any sort of jazz music until that time, and I really wish I had been. The National Endowment for the Arts' program Jazz in the Schools(which is produced by Jazz at Lincoln Center) allows students to fully experience the history and creation of jazz through five sections, each with an opening essay, video, music, photographs, and other discussion resources. Not only is this a great way to introduce students to jazz, but it also covers National Standards #8 and #9, and the site says it covers National Curriculum Standards for social studies, history, arts education, civics and government, and geography. 

I'm really glad international music meccas like Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center have great educational resources. This is definitely something that I'll want to look into as I progress in my studies here.

http://www.neajazzintheschools.org/home.php?uv=s

Tech Reading: MIDI vs. Digital Audio

To be honest, I'm really glad this is what the reading was about this week. After reading the article, I realized what I thought MIDI was was completely different than its actual purpose. I found the article to be very informative, especially for someone who isn't the most technologically inclined. I was very intrigued by how MIDI works, and how it's essentially just different forms of messages, whether it be creating or taking away a note, creating dynamics, etc. Although I found the article to have lots of good information on MIDI, I felt that the author was biased more towards the use of MIDI and less of a focus on Digital Audio. Other than that though, I enjoyed the article, and now have a better understanding on how to use MIDI.

PLN: Teoria

When I was thinking about what to blog about this week, I realized that I could write about a resource I was already using for my Music Theory class: Teoria. Teoria is a Music Theory resource that allows the user to watch tutorials on specific concepts, and then practice exercises that go along with these tutorials. What I like about Teoria, in comparison to other online Music Theory resources, is that you're able to not only practice your theory, but are able to go and check back at their tutorials if there's something you're unsure on.

Another great aspect of Teoria is that it has mobile capabilities as well, so if you're on the go or don't have a computer readily available, you can do Teoria exercises on your smart phone. As someone that's on the go all the time, I know that this could definitely be beneficial. Their mobile portion of their site offers both Theory and Ear Training exercises as well. I know that I'll be definitely looking into how I can use Teoria more and its many components.

htttp://www.teoria.com

PLN: Carnegie Hall Online Resource Center

To figure out what I would add to my PLN this week, I began to look back at the numerous websites I had bookmarked using Diigo, and noticed that I had bookmarked something from Carnegie Hall's website. I was initially confused as to what I could have found on the website of Carnegie Hall that would relate somehow to Music Ed, but was pleasantly surprised when I found that they have an entire Online Resource Center for Music Educators, filled with lesson guides, student guides and worksheets, video and audio, etc.
Not only is it separated by grade level so it's easy to find, but the Online Resource Center also separates its content by the National Standards of NAFME, so if you're specifically trying to find something that encompasses one of the standards, it is easy to do that as well. Once you click on a Standard, it even further divides the content into genre of music and instruments. I think this is certainly a resource that I will look into more as I continue my education.

PLN: Twitter

I feel as though a lot of people have blogged about using Twitter for their PLN, and although I knew that it would probably an important component of my PLN, I wasn't necessarily sure of how I would incorporate it.  I think that although some people would argue that Twitter and other social networking sites don't have a place in education, I think its use( in the proper way) would only help students feel more connected and engaged because it is something that many of them use frequently.
Not only could a teacher use Twitter to connect with his/her students in a number of ways(posting links for homework, etc), teachers could use Twitter to connect with other educators both on a local level and on a national and even global level as well. By searching for certain hashtags, such as #musiceducation, educators can use Twitter as a forum of sorts, connecting through mutual topics, questions, and concerns they might have.
Also, there are numerous national Music Education organizations that use Twitter, which is even another way to help educators connect on a broader level. I've already followed NAFME and the American Choral Directors Association, and I think this is a wonderful way to keep up with the activities of national organizations, and other members of these respective groups.

PLN: Google Forms

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dFdKc09LV2RfLXlITkc1UDNTRGE5eGc6MQ
Here I have the link of my Google Form that I created. It has a few questions that pertain to us at future music educators, and I thought it would be interesting to see the ratio of instrumentalists to vocalists in the classroom, and also what level students ideally wanted to teach, because that's something we haven't really talked about a lot yet.
I think the system of using Google Documents/Forms etc is a great and efficient way to be able to gather and share information with your students and fellow teachers. I remember that on the first day of Foundations, Dr. Bond had us fill out a Google form with information about ourselves, and I'm sure that helped her to learn a little more about us. Not only that, but I think using Google forms allows the creator to keep all the information in one place, to make it easier to look at everyone's different responses. I'm excited to see how we will use Google Documents/Forms in this class as we progress with learning about other forms of technology!

PLN:Diigo

To be honest, I was at first rather confused by Diigo. I didn't understand its purpose or how exactly it could be beneficial to us as future educators. However, by the time I finished all the tutorials, I was really intrigued by the concept. To me, it's essentially just another form of social networking,  but one that can really be productive, especially when sharing ideas, goals, and philosophies. By being able to connect with our classmates, we can share interesting ideas we have found, and at the same time can bookmark them for ourselves so we can look back on them if need be. Although I am still getting the hang of how to use Diigo, I think it will be a very beneficial resource to us this semester, and even when we become teachers to connect and share with our fellow employees.

Music Ed Readings- Week of September 14

I thoroughly enjoyed both readings this week. The first, from the Music Educators Journal, explained to the reader how to build a Personal Learning Network, and discussed the possible components of that network. One thing that was very intriguing to me was the concept of Wikis. When I initially saw the title of that section, I thought that it was only referencing the website Wikipedia. It surprised me to know that there were many different Wikis, even in the realm of Music Education, that could be beneficial.
I found the second reading, by Bauer, to be very informative. Although at first I thought the article was a tad dry, Bauer's use of multiple facts definitely captured my interest. Although I wish it weren't true, it didn't necessarily surprise me that music teachers don't really utilize technology in the classroom. In my school, we used Sibelius in Music Theory, but that was about it. I think that classes could have been a little more varied and interesting had more technology been integrated.  I although that it was very interesting that the author noted that it is not how much or how often technology is integrated into the classroom, but specifically for what purpose it is used and how it is used to enhance learning. Using a smart board and just teaching a regular lesson doesn't necessarily utilize technology to the fullest extent, but perhaps using a technical musical program on said smart board or explaining to students how to use this program is a better use of technology.