Intelligent Music? Close.. SmartMusic

I love the idea of SmartMusic!  One of my biggest problems practicing  was not being able to practice with the accompaniment.  CD accompaniment didn't always match the tempo my teacher and I decided was best, or if I was still learning the song, it went too fast.  I also love the assessment feature in SmartMusic.  While it is important for students to be able to hear themselves and know if they are properly in tune or not, sometimes we just aren't sure as performers.  The assessment feature helps students who are still developing their ear for music and even those who have a well developed ear by providing a second opinion.  Quite possibly my favorite part about the assessment feature, however, is the ability for students to submit it to their teacher and for the teacher to be able to hear her student's progress.  This really brings back the personal connection that students and teachers sometimes lose in an ensemble setting.  Students can record themselves as many times as they wish until they record a take they feel comfortable sending to their teacher.  This also promotes proper practicing at home.  The down fall of this, however, is students may just practice the one phrase a teacher assigned an not the rest of the music, but at least that will get students practicing that phrase at home.

SmartMusic also allows parents to get a little more involved.  While not all students will be showing their parents their practice files, it allows students to show their parents a recording of them with the accompaniment.  This is especially great for younger musicians who still love involving their parents in everything they do.  SmartMusic also allows teachers to show parents their child's improvement at parent-teacher conferences with actual recordings of their child.  Parent's can hear the improvement and don't have to fully rely on the teacher's opinion.

I really could go on and on about SmartMusic, and I've only seen the tutorial videos and scanned the website.  I think this is a wonderful piece of software.  Additionally, it's not too expensive.  It does cost money each year, but it is a reasonable price for all the music available at the click of a button.

Del.icio.us

While I was a tad confused at first, I've realized just how easy Delicious is to use.  I didn't fully understand the idea of tags when I first got started, but as I searched and saved a few websites, I discovered the merits behind tags.  I really love this idea because it makes it really easy to find the exact type of sites you're looking for.  Delicious is a great site for professional and personal matters.

Record the Radio

While searching for software to review on TuCows, I came across this program that allows you to set and record online radio streams called Radiosity.  Many of us have friends with radio shows at their schools.  I don't know about you guys, but I usually don't have time to actually listen to my friend's shows when their actually on the air.  For instance, I'll either be in class, or for those 3 am shows, I'm asleep.  I haven't tried this program yet, but it seems really awesome.

You can find it here along with a little review from TuCows: Radiosity Download

A One Computer Classroom

In response to "One Computer Can Deliver Whole-Class Instruction" by Kirk Kassner"

I never really stopped to think if a classroom could get by using only one computer, but after reading this article, I see that one computer can do it all.  I particularly liked the idea of dividing the class into small groups and using stations with the computer at one of the stations.  That way students still have the social aspect so many of them love about music classes, while learning with technology.  Most people associate a computer as a one-to-one ratio, but in small groups, everyone gets a chance to work the mouse/keyboard while learning together.  The small groups also open the opportunity for hands-on learning in association with technology catering to multiple learning styles.

While reading about the game idea Kassner presents, I couldn't help but think he was talking about a class of younger students.  While high schoolers love playing games, I have trouble picturing them sitting in lines in front of a single computer screen.  The idea is still a wonderful idea.  I did feel that a lot of the article geared towards a more general music-type class for elementary schools students, but many of the suggestions can be adapted to older students in more specialized classes.  

All-in-all, Kassner provided me with a new view on the use of technology in the classroom and the idea that its about quality not quantity.  

GLEE and Music Education

This past week's episode of Glee entitled, "Grilled Cheesus" brought up a great point about spirituality and allowing spiritual and religious songs to be sung in choirs in public schools.  This conversation has been going on for a long time in the world of music education.

While I understand the arguments against allowing such music in schools, I, personally, find it more beneficial to allow the music to be taught.  Music can be a history class, after all, and music such as Handel's "The Messiah" is a perfect example.  While, yes, the song is about praising God and Jesus, and yes, it has strong Christian ties, it provides the students with wonderful learning opportunities.  The harmonic structure challenges students to concentrate on their own part and not relying on those around them, while at the same time being aware of what is happening in the other parts.  Not all of the students in the choir may be christian, but teaching "The Hallelujah Chorus" is not about converting students, its about challenging them.  I am Jewish, yet "The Hallelujah Chorus" was always my favorite song to sing in my high school's winter concert.  While I don't believe in the text of the song, I learned how to pretend I did for the sake of the song.  Each student also had the choice to not sing the song if they didn't feel comfortable singing it, and that is very important.  A music teacher must never force a student to sing or play a song they find insulting to their religion or beliefs.  However, to completely eliminate this music from the curriculum denies the students the historical aspect of music.  At one point, all music was written for the church.  The history in that music is just as important as modern, non-religious music.  It is one thing to present a song to your musical group for the purpose of teaching challenging skills and musical elements.  It is a completely story to teach religion in a music setting.  Music teachers intend on developing their student's musical abilities, not to convert them, and this traditional music definitely presents wonderful challenges for students of all ages and skill levels.