August 18, 2008-Question 5:
1. From what you have read and seen so far, how can notation software be utilized in your music classroom?
2. What classroom management strategies could be used to effectively manage students while they are using technology for your situation?
Answer the following question on the course blog site by 11:00 am on Tuesday.
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1. I can utilize notation software in my classroom by using it to write music for my beginning band class. There would also be times during 7th and 8th grade music appreciation that I can introduce the students to a notation program. For an elective I used to offer a song writing class, and if I bring that back I can use Sibelius or Finale.
2. If a class were in the computer lab, I would set guidelines for computer usage. The students use computers frequently, but I would use my own guidelines relating to music. An example of this would be, When critiquing someone else’s composition, do not be harsh. Tell them two things you liked about it, and tell them what they should consider fixing or editing. I would also make time in the period where I would go around and sample what the students have done and give them suggestions. I would also have student performances and have the students critique each other. This would be good for listening and evaluating, and also to check for musical errors, such as wrong notes in chords.
Comment by Andrew Lyman — August 18, 2008 @ 8:08 pm
1. I can utilize the notation software for worksheets and assessments for my general music class. If I am able to use Sibelius 4 or 5, I can use the posters to reinforce the learning of instruments of the orchestra. I can use it to rearrange music for my choirs. I can also accommodate those students who are very advanced to do composing projects and such.
2. (I’m assuming that using music technology means not just using notation programs but also other music softwares that we have learned about in this class so far?) I think the suggestion that Amy gave me today for my Danse Macabre lesson is valuable. Give students a guide to answer questions to stay on task. I would use that for students who are exploring concepts and doing drills. I would also like to hold students accountable for the work they accomplish (or do not accomplish). A time limit or a due date would be a good idea for projects. I would encourage students to help each other. But most of all, before we use the multiple computers or go into a lab, I think it is important to let students know what I exactly expect of them while using music technology–how to treat the computers, each other, and how I expect the student to behave.
Comment by HaNa Chang — August 18, 2008 @ 8:18 pm
1. I anticipate customized vocal warmups for chorus as well as re-arranging music for chorus. I really like the worksheets we saw and would like to look through that section again. I am mulling over how I can implement it in my school and what the lead-in would be for the students. If they did not take a band instrument, they are less comfortable with reading notation. They could become more comfortable with notation by having prior experience with the Groovy series.
2. I have used the computer lab. I asked the students what the rules were and they just followed them. “No one is allowed to leave their seat to ask a question. Raise your hand.” (I was really lucky) On two occasions I had double the number of second graders in the lab and the only problem was the noise level-which bothered the IT person.
When I did the unit surrounding the instruments of the orchestra (Peter and The Wolf) the students had work to complete at their station. (They are assigned a computer for the year.) It included filling out the orchestra seating chart, high/low sounds, one additional question and one definition. I walked the lab a lot and helped the students stay on task. I stopped them every so often to ask additional questions. The work had to be handed in after each session.
To get started, I introduced the website while they squashed around ma and one computer. I showed them how to navigate the website and where they needed to go for that day. I repeated this each week of the unit. I now know that I can use a projector which is much better.
Comment by Mickey — August 18, 2008 @ 8:47 pm
1. Some ways I can and already have utilized music notation software in my classroom is by creating supplemental material for my students, creating additional parts for my students who are struggling or reproducing one of the instrument parts for a piece of music that I inherited and is no longer in print. This year I have used music notation software to create songs that I didn’t have music for, or the music that I had was in a key that was to challenging for my students. For instance, my first year clarinet students were not ready to go over the break, so I changed the key of several songs to make them playable. A few weeks ago, I went to a workshop on arranging for elementary band and I want to apply some of the things I learned there to create simplified parts for my students who just are not there, or dont practice or can never seem to remember their instrument.
2. In my situation, if I was able to get students on the computer, the management that I would need the most is to make sure that everybody got an equal oppurtunity at using the software. I like the suggestion Amy made in class of creating groups, and having one person per group go up to work on the computer at a time. After that student is done working on the computer, check their name off, this way they can see when their next turn will be.
Comment by Samuel Constant — August 18, 2008 @ 10:35 pm
1.Learning how to fill in measures with the correct values, bar line placement, staff and clef recognition etc. are all advantages of drill and practice with notation software for students. How lyrics need to be written depending upon syllabic placement, just like they would see in their choral repertoire, would be a good subject to touch on as well. Should the need for arranging or creating parts arise, a notation program would be ideal.
2.I’m not sure that I would use notation software very often in lessons,but more for a teacher’s tool. Nevertheless I think that it would be a great way to challenge a student or class to create a group composition in tandem with others. With a list of parameters, small groups can create portions of a piece. This purely academic way of composing can then be evaluated by the full group through listening. Perhaps then a discussion of what makes music effective as an art form can ensue. Was it created because of its beauty or something else. In addition, just learning how adjusting the tempo and dynamics makes the music change, may stir thought. Taking turns on the class computer(s) in a pre-determined order can help management of student work.
Comment by Debra Bono — August 18, 2008 @ 11:38 pm