To Tech or Not To Tech
That is the question for instrumental music teachers
The Question: Why “Tech”?
The Question: Why “Tech”?
About me
I am . . .
Tech “Sweet Spots”
Where I think modern technology can help students learn in our setting
Sweet Spot #1 - Basic Skills: Note Reading
The Challenge:
Students need to be fluent note readers. They come to us with a variety of skills. How do we
What we do:
Sweet Spot #1 - Basic Skills: Note Reading
The 2 minute Note Reading Test
TOOL: Tenuto (iOS app) or MusicTheory.Net (Browser-based)
DEVICE: iPad, Chromebook or laptop
Procedure: Students identify note names as notes appear on the screen. At the end of 2 minutes their score appears. They record the score on a chart on a clipboard (old technology). Then pass the device to the next student
GOAL: Correctly ID 90% of notes with at least 60 attempts
Individualized Note Reading Practice
(These can be done discretely right in seats in class. Just a few minutes each day as needed)
TOOLS: Tenuto, MusicTheory.Net, Flashnote Derby,
DEVICE: iPad, Android Tablet, Chromebook, laptop
Procedure:
--Repeat the 2 minute test over several days.
--Play Flashnote Derby reviewing missed notes.
Do this right in classroom. No need to sit student out!
Sweet Spot #1 - Basic Skills: Note Reading
For students who need re-teaching or are beginners
TOOL: Flashnote Derby Video Lessons
DEVICE: iPad, Android tablet, Chromebook, laptop WITH HEADPHONES
Procedure:
--Student views a video lesson
--Play the Flashnote Derby game for that lesson
--If necessary review the video lesson
--As appropriate move to next lesson on the next day
Do this right in classroom. No need to sit student out!
CLASSROOM FUN: Note Reading Relay
TOOL: Flashnote Derby or Staff Wars
DEVICE: iPad or Android tablet & Classroom projector
Procedure;
--Students line up on one side of room in view of screen or white board
--Start the game.
--A student ID”s one note and goes to the back of the line
--Next student moves up and ID’s next note
Can also have teams using in separate areas of the room
Sweet Spot #1 - Basic Skills: Note Reading
A few other notes:
These are also great beginning IM games!!!
Flashnote Derby and Staff Wars both allow individual student logins. If you choose, you can have students log in so they can keep track of what they have done.
Staff Wars & Tenuto allow students to generate an email report of their results that is sent to their teacher. Or if you are a Google Classroom (GC) user, you an have students upload these reports as assignments in Classroom.
Teachers can create pre-set assignments in Tenuto/MusicTheory.net which can be emailed to students or posted to GC
MusicTheory.Net also has basic theory lessons. Very dry but good for a quick review.
I like to give students some choice. Some students love “shoot -em ups” like Staff Wars and some prefer the somewhat dorky animations in Flashnote Derby. Some would rather drill using Tenuto/MusicTheory.net
Sweet Spot #1 - Basic Skills: Rhythm
The Challenge:
Rhythmic Fluency is another critical skill. How do we get less experienced students up to speed or how do we challenge our rhythm superstars?
What we do:
Sweet Spot #1 - Basic Skills: Rhythm
Basic Rhythmic Awareness:
TOOL: Rhythm Cat (iOS or Android)
DEVICE: iPad or Android Tablet, HEADPHONES
This is a great app. Students tap rhythms they see along with musical accompaniment. The melody matches the written rhythm in the earlier levels. Watch out, because as you move through the levels this can get pretty tricky! Lots of varied musical styles and tempos.
Rhythm Reading Practice
TOOLS: Rhythm Lab or ReadRhythm (both iOS)
DEVICE: iPad, HEADPHONES
Both of these apps begin with simple rhythms and progress to very complex. There is a PRACTICE mode where students can hear a rhythmic example and tap along and a TEST mode which evaluate accuracy. Both let students send results to a teacher via email. Rhythm Lab supports multiple users.
Sweet Spot #1 - Basic Skills: Your Ideas
Sweet Spot #2 - Full Class Projection
The Challenge:
Unless you teach in a one-to-one school access to digital technology is limited. How can our one computer or tablet and our data projector increase student learning?
What we do:
Sweet Spot #2 - Full Class: Announcements, etc.
Sharing mundane information
TOOL: Word Processor or Slide Show tool of your choice
DEVICE: Projector plus ANY device
Save your voice. Let the white board be your announcer. Create a template for announcements and then just drop them in each day. Have this displaying on the white board at the beginning of class.
Not sure students will read them? Turn it off and have a quick check for understanding or recall game. Use random rewards to up the ante
Post those Lesson Outcomes or Plans for the Day
TOOL: Word Processor or Slide Show tool of your choice
DEVICE: Projector plus ANY device
Create a template using your favorite tool to “post” your daily goals, outcomes, learning targets, plan for the day, Keep them up on your white board using your projector. If you want to be really fancy, you can even put in hyperlinks to the resources you need to project later (e.g. rhythm chart, score images, warm ups, etc)
Sweet Spot #2 - Full Class: Virtual Music Stand
Get those stands out of your way (great for beginning classes, particularly)
TOOL: Notation software or PDF reader
DEVICE: Projector plus ANY device
Playing simple exercises or short melodies? Project them on the white board.
Clears the sight lines so you can see your students, their embouchures, hand position, etc.
I use Noteflight - a web-based notation tool - for this.
Sweet Spot #2 - Full Class: Unlock Your Scores
The Conductor’s View
TOOL: Document Camera software (optional)
Dry Erase Markers or e-pen
DEVICE: Projector plus Document camera
Share your score on the white board. You can do it live using a document camera, e-copy your score and use the PDF’s, OR snap a picture with your cell phone!
Conductors always get to see the big picture. Students don’t get to see this but we expect them to understand their role at any given time. Projecting the score lets them in on the secrets that only WE usually have!
In other words, let your students engage in score analysis!!!!
Sweet Spot #2 - Full Class: Instant Sight Reading
Practice Sight Reading on the Fly
TOOL: Sight Reading Factory or Practicesightreading.com
DEVICE: Projector plus Web-enabled device
Engage in group sight reading quickly and easily that is customized to meet YOUR criteria. Project the examples on the white board and read them. Get and endless supply of material
Teaching sight reading with projected music lets you do group analysis and discussion more easily. Use your markers to highlight key events.
Sight Reading Factory
Subscription-based sight reading helper.
Practicesightreading.com
Sweet Spot #2 - Full Class Projection - Your Ideas
Sweet Spot #3 - Extend Beyond the Classroom
The Challenge:
To maximize learning, students need to learn at home as well as in class. How do we support them in doing so? How do we ensure that the work students are doing at home is focused and accurate?
What we do:
Sweet Spot #3 - Extend: Flipped Learning
Guiding Students from afar
When students are practicing at home, how do they know if they are doing things correctly? We can give them some tools to assist them in analyzing their work and/or learning new material.
Collaborative notation tools can also allow students to practice playing alongside the other instruments/vocal parts in the ensemble.
Tools that guide students
Sweet Spot #3 - Extend Beyond the Classroom - Your Ideas
Sweet Spot #4 - Tighten the Feedback Loop
The Challenge:
Hearing individually students on a regular basis is key to guiding their development, but it takes so much class time. How do we reduce the time students spend waiting for their turn to play and still allow us to hear each student alone frequently?
When using digital recording to hear students, understand that home technology varies. Give students ample opportunities to complete assignments in school if needed.
What we do:
Sweet Spot #4 - Tighten the Feedback Loop -
Your Ideas
Thanks for Coming!
Visit me during the open lab session if you have questions, or email me.
Deborah Katz
katz@a2schools.org