I'm creating this blog in response to an assignment for a class that focuses on learning to use technology in the classroom. However, I hope to continue this blog after the course is complete as a place to share ideas relating to music education, and more specifically, teaching orchestra.
We've already learned about a couple of tools in this class that could prove useful to educators everywhere, musically inclined or not.
To begin with, SymbalooEDU is a very interesting concept. It's a place where a teacher can store all of the links, widgets, RSS feeds, videos, etc. that he or she feels may be helpful to students for a particular project or course. I've started my own webmix that I intend to tweak in order to provide resources for my students. I think that in terms of an orchestra program it would be great to have one page with links to information about the program and policies, a calendar of events, and perhaps videos of the students performing. Additional pages could be created that focus on specific skills and techniques needed by different levels of players. For example, a page for beginning students might have links to videos or websites that cover posture and bowholds as well as links to information about learning to read music.
Speaking of learning to read music, I was also able to create a neat tool focused on this skill through the use of GlogsterEDU. This tool allows teachers and students to create online interactive posters. Teachers can use them to help teach new topics and students can use them to help express what they are learning. My glog focuses on learning to read music and provides both videos and links to sites that enable the students to practice reading skills. I really had an enjoyable time putting the whole thing together.
Check them out and enjoy!
