Technology is taking over our schools whether we want it to or not. Technology is evolving at a rate that educators can hardly keep up with; so much so that we may lose our students to technology if we do not embrace it. Our students were born into the technology revolution and it would only make sense to teach them the through a way that they know how to learn; technology. Technology means: computers, laptops, iPads, Chromebooks, cellphones, Smart Boards, iPods etc. Students come into school every day with these devices and teachers are forced to deal with them. Some think that these devices only serve as a distraction, but in this age students are exposed to terabytes of information (the quality of the information that they are receiving is up for debate...) and ultimately end up doing a lot of learning from the internet. The entire catalogue of human existence is just a click away now and teachers may not be fully aware of this. Students are able to learn what they want when they want through the internet and come to school knowing more than students did 20 years ago. Think about it, the average American student has access to the internet in some way and is already absorbing information where as the average student in the 1930's only knew their own backyard and whatever mom and dad taught them. The amount of information of students know is astronomically more than past students which is a large change, but has education changed as drastically to meet the needs of these tech revolution students?
Some teachers I have talked to embrace technology and the fact that information is readily available for students. For this teacher, it meant that students would not have to spend as much time memorizing facts and could focus on projects which developed critical thinking skills. The goal of education should not be to create well oiled test taking machines but to create a generation of people who can think and create to ensure the success of the human race.
Educators should not feel threatened by technology, it should not be a burden nor something to dread. Technology offers the means to reach students in a way that can make sense to everyone. Technology is the muse of this new generation of students and it should be fostered and shaped so teachers and students can get the most learning usage out of it.
In the school that I am interning in now, the music teachers are utilizing the rise of technology in their music classrooms. One specific program they use in their general music classes is Synthesia. Synthesia is like the popular video game Guitar Hero, for piano. What I like about technology in the music classroom is that it caters to students with unique learning styles. While music can be a lot of listening and ear training or rote, technology puts music into different mediums so that anyone can learn it. Synthesia allows students to watch the notes they are playing (sight) while hearing the same notes on their pianos. We are lucky enough to have a piano laboratory for our general music students, with 16 macs fully equipped with music software as well as 16 Yamaha piano keyboards for each computer. Students are able to listen (with headphones) to what the assignments that the teacher assigns (also through the computer). The class is structured so that the teacher can e-mail the assignments to students. The assignments are broken down into sections with links to various exercises for each lesson. The lesson includes links to note reading drills and games, compositions assignments, scale practice, and songs in Synthesia. All of this material is right at the student's disposal as soon as they walk into the room, all the teacher has to do is direct them to the e-mail and they can get started. She will pause them to explain new concepts, but usually will go around the classroom, while everyone is working independently, and work with individual students to help them develop their skills. It is almost impossible for teachers in any other classrooms to get this one on one time with a student, especially in music, and technology makes this possible.
Another elementary music teacher has adopted even more mediums of technology through which to teach music, such as the Smart Board and iPad. Through the Smart Board she was able to write rhythms with her 1st grade class and recorded them playing their rhythms on the Smart Board. She was then able to play back what they recorded with the written rhythms so they could see their music come to life.
There are endless ways that technology can help us teach and reach our students on a new level. We need to be educated about these technologies and able to harness their potential to make them as effective as they can be. The biggest obstacle for teachers is learning how to use these technologies as well as use them in a classroom setting. Keeping an open mind and knowing how much of an impact technology has on our students is the first step. Once we are able to accept that it is here to stay, we need to work hard to eventually have technology work for us and our students to become the most successful individuals they can be in this technological revolution.
Hi Dylan,
ReplyDeleteYou do a fine job of articulating the many benefits of using technology to augment our lessons in any type of music classroom, regardless of specific focus, age group or academic level. I think that an important point you make is that technology is most certainly here to stay, and yet at the same time, I think that it is important for us to put electronics in their proper place. Technology did not just create itself. The wonders and limitless possibilities of the human mind had to spring into action in order for us to wind up with devices such as the PC, Mac, cell phone, smart phone, iPad, laptop, SMART board, etc. No machine will ever be able to surpass the potential and capability of the human spirit. I am not much of a technology guru myself, but I will say that through Professor Schneider's class I have developed a much greater appreciation for the ways in which the "digital universe" can up an invested, creative and eager music educator's game, so to speak. Nevertheless, for my personal tastes, I am quite disturbed by how plugged-in and dependent upon technology the current generation, and quite frankly society at large has become. I don't mean to sound alarmist, but I think that not only has artificial intelligence become a widespread reality, but there are plenty of people who would much rather exist within the intangibles of the ether known as the internet, than living and breathing in reality. Electronic forms of communication are absolutely legitimate and serve a distinct purpose, there is no discounting that, but at the same time we are starting to lose a large part of our humanity and defining ourselves by who we are in the technological realm. Could that be an extension of our true self? I suppose so, but we are treading on dangerous ground if we continue to allow machines to take precedence in society. As one of our colleagues asked in his response to this particular blog prompt, "What happens when the power goes out?" I think it is fantastic that through a medium such as You Tube, we have access to recordings and concert footage that otherwise might have disappeared into the annals of history. The examples of technology use in the music classroom that you bring up are wonderful, but I think that as well-rounded, thorough music educators, we need to swing the pendulum back towards a nice equilibrium, where we use technology, but in equal amounts with tangible human experiences. The creations of a software program such as Garage Band or Synthesia are terrific, but as a violinist, you can't tell me that anything will ever hold a candle to the authentic sound of a virtuoso like Hilary Hahn. I appreciate your thoughtful, constructive ideas my friend. You've given me much to consider as we move forward. Enjoy your weekend!
-Matt Chasen-