Music, Middle School and Web 2.0

2011-09-27T06:07:00.001-05:00

I haven't blogged in quite a while (life and work keep kicking my rear end)!

Here's a very nice contest for those interested in free edtech for your school. Check it out below:

Nice giveaway for schools!http://t.co/vwHq9Yu7 #BTSG

iEAR App Review: ThumbJam music app

2010-04-17T19:44:00.001-05:00

App Title: ThumbJam

Grade Level: Late Elementary to Adult

Purpose: A

ThumbJam is an outstanding music app for the novice who just likes to jam to the professional musician.

Program Functionality: A+

This app has great controls that make it easy to play. Simply choose an instrument, select a scale, and tap or slide your thumb or fingers over the screen. You can use multi-touch to play harmony and chords, and each instrument has additional controls for pan, volume, tremolo, etc. which are activated by tilting or shaking. Optionally, you can load a drum loop and play along with it.

There are 30+ realistic sounding instruments available and more can be downloaded or created/sampled by the user. There are 15 drum loops ranging in style from pop/rock/hip to world music (Hispanic, African, Asian) available for download. 100+ scales in nine different categories are included with the option to create your own scales. All sessions can be recorded and saved, then reloaded and new instruments layered onto the loop.

For the advanced user, there are many options and controls for creating/editing effects, collaborating through bluetooth, and transferring your loops, sessions and sample sets to your computer via WiFi.

Overall Educational Value: B

This is an outstanding app for personal use and would be very useful especially for older students, but is priced rather high for purchase by most public schools.

Cost: $6.99

Recommendation: If you like to jam and experiment with music and don't mind the $6.99 price tag then this is an excellent and fun app. It is also an excellent tool for professional musicians to create music on or be able to play instruments that they don't own or want to haul around.

I can also also recommend it for use in secondary music and music technology classes as a tool for creating loops and samples and enjoying in jam sessions.

Classroom Use Examples / Ideas: With younger students, selecting a pentatonic scale allows them to jam together and all of the notes and harmonies sound great together.

Older students can create very sophisticated loops and samples and use them in other programs (such as Audacity or Aviary/Myna) to create their own compositions. They could also form ensembles or bands for performances.

As an instrumental director, I could use this app to demonstrate a passage of music or possibly to add an instrument to an ensemble that is not available.

Developer Website: http://thumbjam.com/

ITunes Link: Click Here

Reviewer Name: Susan Hurst (musicwms)

Reviewer Blog: http://musicmiddleschoolandweb20.blogspot.com

Other: As a music teacher, I've had a lot of fun experimenting with this app. I've been playing with it for about a week, and I've barely scratched the surface of its capabilities.

Hey, check out our Ning (Online Community) devoted to helping teachers utilize these devices to the their fullest. Please leave a comment if you agree, disagree, or have other creative uses for this app in the classroom, etc.

Curriculum Map for new Music Technology class--Part 1

2009-07-05T19:59:00.001-05:00

This is for a new middle school music technology class that I am starting in the fall. I have a set of 18 aging Win2000 desktops plus my personal WinXP laptop and my school issued Win2000 laptop (supposed to be replaced this summer, knock on wood!). We do have internet access and because these computers (with the exception of the school laptop) are mine (scavenged, purchased, donated and maintained by me) they are not locked down except for the district filtering software.

I previously purchased 20 copies and installed the older version of Super Duper Music Looper onto all of the computers, so that is available. I have asked that no more than 20 students be enrolled in the class, but considering how things work at my school, that number will probably be higher. I would prefer to keep it as close to 1 to 1 during class, but I will just have to wait and see.

Our school is 98% free and reduced lunch so most of my kids don't have a computer/internet at home. Our tech ed program was dropped two years ago by a previous principal so the students don't get much technology at school, so I would like to work on technology literacy in addition to music technology.

We have 45 min. class periods, 5 days a week, and this will be a semester class (18 weeks). There is no budget money for this class so I'm trying to do this with free software and on the web.

The ultimate product for each student (or possibly teams of students) in this class is a 1-3 minute video using music composed by the students and pictures/video (Creative Commons/Fair Use) found or created by the students. This will be uploaded to a class wiki and shared with the class. Other projects will be considered as the students' interests and time allow.

These are some of the resources that I've found so far and my current thoughts on using them. I would appreciate any comments, thoughts, tips, or ideas.

1. Pre-assessment of skills

TRAILS: Tool for Real-time Assessment of Information Literacy Skills

I will use this to assess what info literacy skills my students have. Hopefully, results from this will help to determine which Literacy Skills we need to focus on.

2. Basic Internet skills

Welcome to the Web

Well done, interactive site w/worksheets. Starts at the very beginning and works through basic skills. Detective challenge at the end. Pages can be resumed using pin codes. Suitable for grades 3-8.

Welcome to the Web via kwout

3. Literacy Skills

Private and Personal Information

Investigating Search Engines and Directories

Smart Keyword Searching

Good Messaging Manners

Considering Copying

Depending on the results from the pre-assessment above, I will use some or all of the above to build skills. I will probably use these as whole class activities. They have large and small group activities and discussion questions.

Other resources that I've found and will possibly make use of:
Tech Literacy (this page was made with Cluster, a nifty Firefox add-on)

4. Bridging Activity--from Copyright to Composition

MBYTES

This is a great interactive site for understanding copyright and licensing using the tools that we will use in music tech class. Students use a fairly simple looping interface to create their own short songs. They can then assign licenses from completely free to for sale to others on the site. Users are assigned 200 credits to use for purchasing the loops for use in remixes or downloads. There are also videos and activities for discussing copyright, fair use, and intellectual property.

5. Online Music Apps

BBC OneStudio Sequencer

Pros: over 1,000 free downloadable music samples. Easy to use, 4 track sequencer.

Cons: Sequenced music file isn't downloadable, but can be emailed. Sequencer may be too simple to produce the best quality tracks. Also, site is no longer updated, so I don't know how long it will be up.

Philharmonia Orchestra Sequencer

Pros: Downloadable samples and free sequence software in addition to online sequencer. Lots of information/background on creating/composing, samples, and the orchestra. Online remixing of pre-existing compositions. Remixes can be saved (email required).

Cons: I don't see any way to download the online remixes that are created. The music samples are all orchestral (not my students favorite genre).

JamStudio

Pros: Lots of pop/rock/country instruments available. Can even record vocals.

Cons: Students must input chords, might need help with chord patterns. $4.95 per month per account. Can apply for grant program (none are available at present). Grants run out at the end of the school year.

Other Online Music Apps resources.

That concludes Part 1. I'll post later next week with my thoughts on freeware programs and other resources for creating the student presentations.

38 Interesting Ways to use your Interactive Whiteboard

2009-01-27T13:19:00.008-06:00

From: 100 Interesting Ways

Also includes tips on using Google Earth and pocket video cameras.

Music, Learning and Real Life

2008-12-27T07:05:00.000-06:00

Art & Music Movies via kwout

"
The Futures Channel

Short videos connecting learning to the real world.

It has videos about art and music. One I really liked was about drumming and math.

The videos are downloadable as well as available on the website. There is also an affordable option which gives you access to extra features and high-quality full-screen videos.

Thanks to I Want to Teach Forever for information on this site.

Digital Ethics

2008-11-01T07:28:00.000-05:00

JabbaMatheez 40S (Winter 2008): Digital Ethics via kwout

From Darren Kuropatwa's class blog. How he discusses Digital Ethics with his students.

K12 Online Stacks

2008-10-28T05:43:00.001-05:00

Searchme

View in searchme: full | lite

Searchable pages from the K12 Online conference. Thanks to Darren Kuropatwa and David Warlick.

Updated features in Nota

2008-07-18T11:15:00.001-05:00

Nota now has Font Art, new clipart, and you can post to Blogger and LiveJournal from the site.

Tools for student presentations

2008-07-15T10:36:00.012-05:00

Nota

I found the bassoon photo with flickrCC (reviewed below), then used Nota to add labels and arrows for the instrument parts. I changed the background to this lovely shade of green and added a link to a Wikipedkia article and also the link for the photo attribution because it was a little hard to see on the photo.One of the things that I'm asking my second year instrumental students to do this year is to find a picture of their instrument and label the parts. This would be a great tool for this if I can get all of the COPPA requirements met.

Pros:

Simple, quick and easy to use.
Can embed as html image (like above), i-frame, or Facebook.
You can also email, link, or even print it out.
You can upload pictures or find pictures from Flickr or My Photo.
You can embed video from YouTube and information from Wikipedia.
You may also use textures and clipart from the site along with other members Notas, and everything can be drawn on with a pencil tool.
You can even create multiple pages and link them together like a scrapbook or ebook.
Your Nota can be set to allow members to edit or not edit and you can allow or not allow comments. Non-members (or Guests) may leave comments.

Cons:

In private beta right now (7/15/08) but you can contact them and ask for an invitation and once you join you have 50 invitations.
Must be 13 and have an email to join. I am going to contact them about setting up a form for my parents to sign, giving their permission and then mailing or faxing the forms to them. A lot of my students and their families have limited or no internet access
Only 2 choices on fonts (serif and non-serif).

flickrCC

This site finds Creative Commons pictures on Flickr, gives you the attribution information (you can even add it as part of the photo), and gives you the options of editing it onsite or on Picnik (a nifty, free online photo editing site).To save the photo that you have chosen, right click and save. You have numerous options to upload if you use Picnik, not to mention lots of options for eye candy.This is what I used to find my bassoon photo in my Nota above.

Pros:

no registration
provides all attribution information without needing to go to the original
options for editing

Cons:

may need to play around with what tags to search for in order to get the best selection of photos

Honorable mention: Compfight

Will also look for Creative Commons photos on Flickr, but only links to the original picture and doesn't give attribution information. Also no editing.

Bookr

2008-07-14T22:34:00.000-05:00

Create books with pictures from Flickr. You can also add captions to each page.

Requires no sign-up or email address, but all books are public.

Mindmeister test post

2008-07-05T19:40:00.001-05:00

WiseMap test post

2008-07-05T17:42:00.003-05:00

Mindomo Viewer Test Post

2008-07-05T13:23:00.000-05:00

Public Domain Clipart

2008-06-29T17:55:00.002-05:00

This clipart was created by users of Inkscape--the open source SVG graphics program.

All the art is free, public domain, and downloadable as png or svg.

This is a good resource for both teachers and students.

clipped from openclipart.org

Open Clip Art Library

Drawing Together

This project aims to create an archive of user contributed clip art that can be freely used. All graphics submitted to the project should be placed into the Public Domain according to the statement by the Creative Commons. If you'd like to help out, please join the mailing list, and review the archives.

Please Note

All the images that were contained in the old openclipart.org site are still available and download. These images are in the process of being imported into the new site.

You can download the packages here

read the
guidelines

create
an account

login to
your account

Quick Stats

7555 New Clip Art
7000+ Archived Clip Art
Latest Uploads

Jigsaw Puzzle by ben

Toilet Signs 2 by ibdjl95

Mechanic Pirate by sven222

Green Hornet by Mike B

Speech Bubbles by ibdjl95

Great stuff from the BBC

2008-06-27T07:40:00.001-05:00

Musical Mysteries

Fun review of music elements and orchestra instruments.

Best suited for grades 2-6. Teachers Guide included.

GSCE Bitesize Music

Good review (or revise/revision as the Brits call it) of lots of music topics. Includes quizzes at the end of each review.

Suitable for grades 6-12.

BBC Blast Music

Lots of information on the contemporary music industry. Tips and tools for making your own music, producing it, and getting it noticed.

Also on this site: OneMusic Virtual Studio

A sequencer, mixer, and sound bank for making your own digital compositions.

Suitable for grades 6-12.

Musical Eras and Genres (Re-post)

2008-06-26T09:16:00.003-05:00

This is a re-post because Google Reader didn't like my first one!

Some resources for musical eras and genres.

I collected these using Iterasi--a new service to save and annotate complete webpages.

MusicWebQuest
Folder: Musical Eras/Genres
Tags: Musical Era, WebQuest

Internet Public Library: Music History 102
Folder: Musical Eras/Genres
Tags: Music History, Composers

Free High Quality Gregorian Chant MP3s
Folder: Musical Eras/Genres
Tags: Gregorian Chant, medieval

YouTube - Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's Turkish Finale
Folder: Musical Eras/Genres
Tags: Mozart, video

History of Jazz | Black History in America | Scholastic.com
Folder: Musical Eras/Genres
Tags: Jazz

Google Earth Blog: Musicians in Google Earth
Folder: Musical Eras/Genres
Tags: Google Earth, Musicians

Music With Ease
Folder: Musical Eras/Genres
Tags: CLASSICAL MUSIC, OPERA PICTURES

A Great Guide to Googling

2008-06-25T07:54:00.002-05:00

This site has lots of information and tips on using Google's amazing capabilities.

It has sections for beginners, experts, and teens (this will be useful for my students as I work to include more projects in my classes).

Hat tips to Kevin Jarrett and Adina Sullivan.

clipped from www.googleguide.com

Cheat Sheet (2-page quick reference)
Calculator Cheat Sheet (2-pages)

Google Guide is an online interactive tutorial and reference
for experienced users, novices, and everyone in between.
I developed Google Guide because I wanted more information
about Google's capabilties, features, and services
than I found on Google's website. --Nancy Blachman

Start now:

Jump to a section:

Overview
Contents
Favorites
Query Input
Understanding Results
Search Tools
Services
Developing a Website

Rich Chart Live Free

2008-06-24T08:50:00.004-05:00

I will use this to post the data from my students weekly quizzes to our class wiki. You or your students could use this site to create animated charts for data from any type of project.

There are lots of styles, types, and layouts for all kinds of charts. You can import data from spreadsheets or type it in directly on the site.

There are four options for publishing your chart: Flash, Powerpoint, Embed in blog or webpage, and Save Chart Projects (this gives you a link so that you can return to your chart and continue work on it).

Oh yeah, and the very best part is--IT'S FREE!

First seen at Jane's E-Learning Pick of the Day --a great site for Web 2.0 learning tools.

Extremely talented and extremely normal

2008-06-23T13:34:00.001-05:00

These kids are so talented and yet as each video shows, so normal.
Very inspirational!

First posted at Music Is Not for Insects

clipped from www.pbs.org

Performer Bios

The Maggiore Trio

The members of the Maggiore Trio are all students at the Juilliard School Pre-College Division.

Anna JiEun Lee

Anna JiEun Lee (violin), 12, is a recipient of From the Top's $10,000 Jack Kent Cooke Young Artist Award.

Joshua Jones

Joshua Jones (marimba), 16, is a sophomore at Whitney M. Young High School in Chicago, Illinois and a member of the Percussion Scholarship Group of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.

New Stuff I've Found

2008-06-06T09:02:00.013-05:00

These are some of the things that I've been playing with today:

Blogging Tools

Apture: bring interactive media to your blog.

Uses: Apture brings popout media via Wikipedia and other sources.

Zemanta: suggests links, articles, and pictures for blog posts.

Uses: Zemanta gave me the picture on the right, the link to Wikipedia article on mind maps and suggested the tags for this post. There is an add-on for Firefox and IE and it works with most blogging sites.

Mind/Knowledge Maps

InfoRapid KnowledgeMap: software to analyze text manually or automatically to create knowledge maps. Also can be used to draw your own mind map s.

Uses: I had it analyze and create maps from some of the texts that I use in my classes. This is what it created (and I tweaked a little) from the glossary for one of my class texts.

Text2MindMap: online site to create mind maps from text lists.

Uses: Students could make lists of what they know about a topic and turn it into a mind map.

Yes, Indeed, I am #1!

2008-04-27T06:48:00.005-05:00

(See first post below)

So, it's been almost a year since my last post. Funny how life and work seem to take up all of my time.

My weakest habit is number 1: I did play, and read, and tryout lots of stuff last summer. I am still playing and reading and trying out lots of stuff and still trying to figure out how to use all of this glorious stuff with my students.

Really, though, I have set up a wiki for my students on Wikispaces which is working well as a central place for announcements and assignments. This has enabled me to move a lot of the assignments that were done on paper over to the wiki and enhance them with multimedia clips.

Free spaces for educators

I am joining the MusTech.net ME Blogger initiative and will try to discipline myself to do more posting and commenting in the future. If you are a music educator, come join the fun!

The 23 Things

2007-06-23T06:06:00.000-05:00

Week 1, Things 1-2

Reading the School Library Learning 2.0 (SLL2.0 for short) blog was very informative. The information is well thought out and easy to understand.

I heard of the site from Wesley Fryer's "Moving at the Speed of Creativity" blog. I've been dabbling with Web 2.0 for the last year and appreciate the structure that this site provides.Thanks for letting a non-Californian, non-librarian tag along for the ride.

The 7 1/2 Habits of Highly Successful Lifelong Learners made me think. My strongest habit is number 7 1/2: Play. I am really enjoying this summer break checking out and playing with all of the cool stuff that is out there right now.

My weakest habit is number 1: Begin with an end in mind. I need to define to myself what it is that I want my students to do with all of this cool stuff, or I will spend all summer just playing.

Week 2, Things 3-4

Setting up my blog in Blogger was very simple. The hardest part was figuring out a name for it and selecting a template!

Creating an avatar was lots of fun (yeah play!). However, when it came time to export it, I ran into some problems.

Yahoo has changed their avatar page and no longer lists a link for exporting your avatar. I searched the help and finally found the URL: http://avatars.yahoo.com/export.html

The export page is still there, there just isn't any easy way to get to it. I am posting this in order to cut down on some of the frustration when I want to go back and change my avatar.

Registering my site with the SLL2.0 folks was again very easy. Fill in some information and submit. I know that I'm not eligible for any of the fun extras (recognition, support, continuing ed credits, cash prizes--just kidding!) but I do hope that someone from SLL2.0 will stop by and leave a comment.

Once again: thanks for the ride!

Jumping In and Getting Wet!

2007-06-22T15:40:00.000-05:00

I've been reading many blogs for the last several years about education, teaching, music and technology. I've become very fascinated with the possibilities of the Web 2.0 and its uses in my classes with my students and found this link:

School Library Learning 2.0

which is web based training on Web 2.0 skills from the California Library Association. (Thanks goes to Wesley Fryer at Moving at the Speed of Creativity. Always a fascinating read)

You don't have to be a librarian or join the association to follow along and complete the activities.

It is set up to do one activity per week (one of which is setting up and posting to your own blog) but you can work at your own speed.

So-o-o, here I am joining the blogosphere. I hope to post reflections on my journey of learning here as I work to combine my love of music, teaching, and technology.