The primary reason for my beginning a Master's degree in Integrating Technology in the Classroom was for the simple fact that I felt behind the times. Sure, I can use computers, I own an iPod, and I know how to set the time on my DVD/VCR. But, I was part of the group of teachers that tells the students “Just sit there and take notes while I lecture at you”.
There is so much technology available these days for the classroom, and fairly inexpensive at that. It simply takes a little motivation and convincing the administration of the importance of technology to get it into the classroom. That is what I did. I am currently waiting for twenty five more music workstations for my Music Production class and six five-person electronic instrument sets for a new “School of Rock” class. With any luck at all, all of the classrooms on my campus will have Promethean boards by the beginning of the next school year. My music classes, and the school, are entering the 21st century. Now, the only thing that remains is how I choose to use the technology I have been so fortunate to receive.
This class has exposed me to several available technologies that I probably would not have checked into, that being blogs, wikis, and podcasts. I never would have dreamed of using any of them for class, but now after seeing how easy they are, and how easy they are to use, I find myself fighting to not use them before I get permission. Any of these technologies will offer new and positive ways for my students to get exposed to new music and to expose others to their music.
Having to learn these new technologies has changed the way I learn. Of course, it has also changed the way I do things in general. For the most part, I am still a “read the manual” learner. However, I am starting to make little steps forward and taking more risks when it comes to exposing myself to technology. It takes me awhile to get comfortable in using new things, and I am afraid to make mistakes. I think we all are. I find myself stepping away from reading manuals and just jumping in with both feet to try out the new things. Doing that makes us better learners, and consequently, better teachers. That happened with me while working on and completing the group wiki project earlier in the class.
As I mentioned earlier, it is hoped that by the beginning of the next school year, every class on campus will have a Promethean board system. I want to learn everything I can about the system to fully utilize the potential that it has. Even though music is not tested by the state, I still want my students to learn as much as they can about the subject. With the use of technologies like the Promethean board, wikis, and the like, students will probably be more motivated to learn, thus raising achievement, not only in music but in other subjects as well.
I have two goals for my classes over the next two years. First, it is my hope that within two years my classes will be mostly self-directed. By self-directed, I mean that the students will be taught a minimum amount of material by me, and the rest will be learned by them through doing, either as individuals or in groups. I can foresee all of my classes being able to use computers to accomplish what they need to learn, either in Music Production, Music Appreciation, or Guitar. Second, I hope that all of my classes will be able to perform assignments and examinations online. One of the great things about the Promethean board is that you can upload test results to grading programs. If the students take tests online, they get graded automatically, and with a couple of button pushes, the results upload to my grade book. This would greatly reduce the time needed to grade student work.
I have learned a lot about technology and myself in the last eight weeks. I see myself moving forward in how I teach, and how my students learn. With a little luck and a little preparation, my classes will start learning a lot more about the subject of music. My workload will initially be more, but will be less over time. The students will be ready for the 21st century workplace through their use of technology in my class.
