Technology Assisted Music Learning #5

For module 5 we had the opportunity to learn more about technology assisted music learning. However, this week took us into another mode of thinking when it comes to incorporating music technology for our classroom instruction. This weeks discussion post asked us to think about ways we facilitate and develop students' responses to music through the use of technology. There are many responding to music activity types that are located on pp. 122-127 in the textbook. I had to spend some time self reflecting about ways I currently facilitate and develop students' responses to music in my own classroom instruction. As I referred to the readings on pp. 122-127 I noticed that I was indeed providing facilitation and development for students' responses to music through music technology. One major aspect of facilitation of music technology that I use is allowing my students to listen to recordings of music that we are currently rehearsing for festival or concerts. I call this type of exercise "music listening resources". For example, if we are starting to learn a new piece of music I will first distribute the music to the students and allow them to look over the music for music notations and rhythms. I usually address any problematic areas that I may feel that the students may have trouble with or the students will ask me themselves about certain rhythms they may not understand. We will then begin to play through the music as best as we can. I believe this method is also great practice for sight reading purposes. After we have played through the music for the first time I will then play a recording of the music for the students. Now the students can listen to what the song sounds like as well as focus in on their particular instrument that they hear. Not only does this method help students learn music but it also teaches them to listen critically, evaluate and analyze music more effectively. Some people may not agree with this type of facilitation to develop students' response to music because they may feel listening to music may serve as a crutch for music performance. I do not view this method as teaching my students to play by ear, however, I feel it provides my students another way of learning to perform music through the resources of technology. Coincidentally, I have noticed through our discussion posts and responses that a number of people also use music listening as a form of learning music and to facilitate students' response to music. I also record rehearsals as well as performances in both audio and video formats. I will typically playback the recorded rehearsals and performances back to my students so that they can participate in self-evaluation.

We were also introduced to a type of social bookmarking called Diggo. Diggo is a very cool tool that allows for not only social bookmarking but research and knowledge sharing as well. It has really cool features that allows for tabs as if you were using sticky notes to mark a page. I also like the highlighting feature in which you can use a highlight tool to highlight important passages in readings. The highlights can be in different colors such as yellow, green, blue and even pink. This form of social networking is quite new to me but I feel it is definitely a great resource.