| In 2001, the College Entrance Examination Board found those students involved with music appreciationoutscored their counterparts by 63 points on the verbal portion of the examination and 44 points higher on mathematics. These types of statistics should be kept in the mind while our nation’s legislative body decides whether or not to strengthen the arts education curriculum within our federal educational policy. |
| In 2001, the College Entrance Examination Board found those students involved with music appreciation outscored their counterparts by 63 points on the verbal portion of the examination and 44 points higher on mathematics. These types of statistics should be kept in the mind while our nation’s legislative body decides whether or not to strengthen the arts education curriculum within our federal educational policy. |
Recently, my high students in Introduction to Music Technology participated in a Bright Ideas grant-supported project (Community ConneXions). In an effort to connect multi-generations (high school students and the Greatest Generation), students performed A/V recording using their personal cellular phones.
The project required students to develop appropriate interview questions, make contact with their grandparents generation and to learn about this generation’s growing up years. This project was very scary from an instructional standpoint! Cell phone technology varies astronomically. In just a quarter of a year, OS, camera lenses, etc. get better. For example, one student used a two-year old camera to interview his grandfather. Another student, a Freshman, used a 2nd generation Droid (Google OS) to perform the interview. The video quality was dramatically different to say the least!
Using an iMac (OSX 10.6.6), students attempted to import videos (various extensions) into iMovie. The learning curve begins! IMovie said, “No!” Students and teacher began the typical collaborative journey to determine how to make it happen. We learned that Open Source software (free app’s) such as MPEGStreamclip and Perian converted cellular videos into importable movie files in iMovie.
End result? Students used 21st century learning tools (digital tools) to engage in meaningful learning in the classroom. Students were proud to share their work with their peers. It all began with using something that most every students possesses – a cellular phone.
Funding. When $ isn’t available in our schools, look no further than the pockets and book bags of our students. What is most interesting to them is already in their possession. Now…let students use their cellular devices in constructive ways– in school.
Essentially, most of us desire to be difference-makers in our world. Hundreds of hours and thousands of dollars later, we find ourselves still asking ourselves essential questions regarding our effectiveness in this huge world.
HOW can we be most EFFECTIVE? How do make the IMPACT we so deeply wish to make?
While many of us — justifiably so– utilize website rating services, spend countless hours browsing and commenting — we must be real and transparent. (Yes, especially in the political year!) So, what ARE the most important bullet points for actually acquiring something that is vital and real in this amoeba-like WEB 2.0 gestation?
First of all, as a very fallible guy with some terrible weaknesses, I share these thoughts — not as an elitist — but as a life-long learner. It is my heart’s desire to hear “well done…faithful one” when this trip’s all over! (Not planning on a reide soon.)
MUSIC + TECHNOLOGY + LOGIC = Music Technologists
IMPACT is essentially INFLUENCE. A basic recipe could include these primal ingredients when building a website that makes impact.
1. Patience. Surprised? Rome wasn’t built in a day. Actually, Web 2.0 is BIGGER than Rome! So, give it some time. John Maxwell states that we underestimate the power of TODAY. (TODAY MATTERS)
2. Practice. Remember the college practice room? Why would a college make the huge investment for rooms where students can only rehearse? Obviously, practice can lead to perfection.
3. Post. Yes. Post your thoughts. Post your knowledge and experiences that do have value to you and possibly to others. Post should be embedded in sound leadership principles vs. fluff. (Write to inform vs. writing to impress.)
4. Publish. Now that you’ve written it… push the post button! “The only thing we have to fear is… fear itself.” Never allow the fear of rejection by others on the stifle your creative thoughts. (None of us knows it all nor gets it right 100% of the time.) Publishers are those who have something VALUABLE to share.
Remember the 4P’s as you build your WEB 2.0 world!
What’s happening in YOUR world?
John
The NATIVES are here. Every single day they come. Look like normal students? Maybe. It’s in their eyes. In their mode of communication(s). “Got a text?” “Saw your post on Facebook.” “Hey! zat a new phone? Got any pix?”
DIGITAL NATIVES they are. No learning curve per se. They were born to do YouTube, I-Tube, What’s new Tube? They aren’t quite as impressed with the new stuff as maybe two years ago. They already have seen it, bought it, borrowed it or have seen it on their iPhone.
As DIGITAL IMMIGRANTS, most teachers are learning from their students. With the X-Gen vs. Baby Boomers, the BB’s are playing catch up with their children. Surprised? Yet, we’re the first generation of parents who actually know where our children are… most ALL the time! Our digital immigrant children and now students live in technology. Don’t we TEXT more than we TALK?
This year begins my 29th cycle of 180 days with students. So, what’s DIFFERENT this year about teaching and instruction you say? Are the students making you become cynical? You’ve “been at this” for a while now.
Because I am technically in that FINAL FIVE years before I could go out to pasture, I know what COULD happen as an educator. But, you know what? My SUBJECT MATTER hasn’t changed all that much. The NATIVES are different.
THE LEARNING CULTURE
Driving home from vacation, my wife looks over and asks me, “Who was that texting you?” Oh, it was Ben. “The tech guy at school?!! What’s he want?” No! It’s one of my students! “Whadhewant?” He’s giving me a heads up on the HEADSETS we need in the iMAC MUSIC TECH LAB.
I texted back… What’s the model? (reply: zxoidvwef) … How much do they cost? … (reply: in about 1 minute b/c he is at home searching online…. (reply: $40 each.)…Thanks! Later. JW
Web 2.0. Community. Facilitating. Thinking out loud with young men and women. Facebook. Connecting. Moms of my students “poking” me online. Videos and pictures that are part of my students’ REAL lives. Oh, those lives outside the school day.
This is how we are challenged to LIVE and EDUCATE in the 21st century with DIGITAL NATIVES. Personal? You bet! One of our BIGGEST challenges with school year 08-09 is defining just how we going to function with the DIGITAL NATIVES. Boundaries. Guidelines. Protection. Freedoms.
As music programs face budget challenges like never before in the United States, I am thankful to be in a position to remain in public music education! We offered a NEW CLASS called INTRODUCTION TO MUSIC TECHNOLOGY in 2007-2008 school year. We now have MORE students in the “digital native” culture of Intro to Music Tech than we do in our traditional vocal/choral program.
My greatest challenge, at this point, is to KNOCK THE WALLS DOWN. What walls? Tradition-for-tradition- sake. The barriers that keep student work in the classroom vs. out in the world. Connecting. Connecting. Connecting. Mentoring younger students within our school district in music technology.
THE DIGITAL NATIVES are here to STAY. We are the IMMIGRANTS. Will our GREEN CARDS run out as educators in the 21st Century? It’s our decision.
What type music or art engages you? By default, most people I know listen to an ipod , car CD, or an Internet radio station (Pandora). While contemporary citizens — such you and I — may favor listening to what we know, there is strong empirical evidence that broadening our musical and artistic tastes has promising rewards, academically speaking.
A Fine Arts Education Dilemma
Gutek (2005) poses an interesting perspective on teaching TODAY’S students. Regarding Plato’s The Republic, Gutek states, “Plato raised the issue of continuity and change in culture, society, and education” (Gutek, 45) . Should educators teach BOTH continuity and change? From this writer’s perspective, the definitive answer is “Absolutely!” That is precisely why this blog exists.
In the 21st century, the question exists as to the level to which schools should “be conservators of the cultural heritage or agents of social change” (Gutek, 45). Music Technologists have the capacity to lead students in multifarious ways of creatively promoting values-laden cultural heritage through unique means.
NCLB (2001) holds schools highly accountable for the 3R’s and places some institutions down to the mat with AYP. With such accountability strongholds over today’s schools, should schools invest in incorporating current issues and new technology into the curriculum (Gutek, 2005)? Dr. Gutek, the obvious answer is a resounding “Yes!”.
My ClassICK Education
With acronyms galore, you may be inquiring what the “ICK” in ClassICKs stands for? It is a shortened version of the term “icky”, meaning distastefully sentimental. There were times that my own education seemed “icky”, uninteresting and disengaging. How about your education? If we are honest with ourselves, much of our own traditional education seemed irrelevant – at least – at the time.
ClassICal Education
As a music educator, I have spent many hours learning how to perform music. I began piano lessons at age six. Oh, did I tell you that I wore my baseball uniform to my piano lessons? Yes. I played baseball and football too through ninth grade. Plato would have strongly supported my ClassICal music education paired with a love for sports. My high school years were filled with choral and vocal performances. What joy!! Music always engages me in learning.
Today’s ClassICal Music Education
True Story. A few choral students were preparing to audition for vocal solos competition. The vocal literature requirements included sining an Italian Art Song. (Commentary: Disney music does not typically produce winners at vocal competitions – at least in my experience.)
It all happened so fast…in my classroom. It went something like this. “Guys, I want to teach you a really cool, CLASSICAL vocal solo this week…Let’s take a few minutes and hear it at Youtube“.
The CRUX of the matter
It’s all about the music, friends. Musical experience must precede musical knowledge. “So, who cares about some dead composer named Giordani anyway?” Herein lies the problem with music instruction. No one cares about knowing facts about a composer – unless “the composer” is linked to an exciting musical performance.
Key: Learning “names and dates” does not engage students in learning, unless students link new knowledge to prior knowledge or previous learning experiences.
February 2011 – “Caro Mio Ben” LESSON – YouTube
My students and I watched several GREAT performers sing the ClassIC vocal art song, “Caro Mio Ben”on Youtube.com. The first performance caught everyone off guard and sealed the deal! Luciano Pavarotti did it again! Most every student was unfamiliar with Pavarotti. Yet, we were blown away at 8:08 a.m. by his amazing performance! A student asked about why Pavarotti carried a white handkerchief during his performance. (Music history time based on the “readiness factor”). We discussed Pavorotti’s death, his large fan base, marriages, his children, his final world tour, etc. The Learning Connection was happening right before my eyes!
The Cecilia Bartoli performance was too smaltzy for most students . This performance seemed ClassICKY for these teens. Well, “no problem”. Let’s watch someone else. Blah. Blah. Click. Click. Man, our Internet is so slow today. Then… it happened. We observed a teenager perform “Caro Mio Ben” on Youtube. This teenager was serious, passionate about singing and had a great voice. The connection went deeper into the psyche of my high school students than I thought it would. They were getting primed for performance.
Character Education using Youtube.com?
Giordani’s “Caro Mio Ben” fit Plato’s criteria for education usefulness. Plato said, “Melodies imitating the sounds and accents of men courageous in the face of danger and those suitable to peaceful men are allowed, but modes suiting laments or revelries are forbidden (399b). Only simple instruments such as the lyre, zither, and pipe are permitted (399d). Every component of speech must follow the disposition of a good soul; “Good speech, good harmony, good grace, and good rhythm accompany good disposition” (400e).
The Effect on Student Performance
Typically, the first run-through of a vocal or choral song is lacking much in quality. Students, who are not excellent sight-readers, usually miss notes and pitches. English-speaking students do not normally understand Italian. Based on my experience, students need much repetition in learning lyrics, notes and pitches before they approach a desirable level of vocal performance.
Thanks to Ms. Velarde, we learned how to parrot the Italian lyrics in a matter of minutes.
First run-through. Most every student was able to fairly accurately perform this 18th century Italian Art Song with lyrics on the first try. Why? I honestly believe that I used every imaginable avenue open to us at the moment to enhance student engagement in learning. Students were able to mentally rehearse the notes, rhythm, expressive content and foreign language prior to being asked to actually perform the music.
The ClassICs still rule when they are taught using 21st century learning designs. The content holds the potential for enhancing good character. By removing the ICK factor in music education, students can still engage in meaningful learning with classical music.
Reference
Gutek, G. L. (2005). Historical and philosophical foundations of education: A biographical introduction (4th ed.) Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice-Hall. ISBN: 978-0-131-13809-4.
No Child Left Behind Act of 2001. (2011). The Elementary and Secondary Education Act as reauthorized by the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001. Retrieved from the website http://www2.ed.gov/nclb/landing.jhtml
While most students enter the classroom carrying 25-40 pounds of books from core classes, my students have no excess baggage when leaving the music technology class. There will be no chiropractic care bills required for these students.
Why? Digital instructional materials weigh essentially ZILCH.
TODAY’S CLASS JOURNEY
Just today, students examined their core technology vocabulary.
DIALOGUE:
Mr. W: First off, “I need you to open the pdf article from Sunday’s Atlanta Journal Constitution called String Quartet Technology. And, btw, what is a PDF?
Student 1: Hmm. “A..a.a. personal… hmm.???”
Student 2: “I KNOW what it is, but…”
Mr. W: (Without blame for not “knowing” the term). Everyone, do a Google search for “PDF”. What is a PDF?
Most students: (After using digital technology to find out)…”Portable Document Format!!”
After reading a current journal article that ties the amazing journey of a traditional string quartet into using digital music score reading during concerts, these students saw first hand WHY digital media has connection with the real world.
A PDF is a file format that provides an electronic image of text or text and graphics that looks like a printed document and can be viewed, printed, and electronically transmitted.
Our Classroom Textbooks
First off, there is no textbook for this course. How frightening! Yes and no. By design, digital music media courses are:(a) hands-on courses (CAI); (b)real-world focused; and, (c) project-based learning environments. Do I advocate having course materials? By all means… when they are available and relevant.
Web 2.0 Instruction
Essentially, as an online EdD student in Teaching/Learning, I have learned (since 2009) the value of teaching students how to succeed in a mock online learning environment. Within this setting, students learn how to: (a) access digital learning materials (school website, Google, Google Documents); (b) save/store/attach files to upload (website, email); (c) understand asynchronous versus synchronous learning environments; and, (d) communicate digitally within the “brick and mortar” high school building. As as online student, some of the most challenging and important aspects of learning include correctly formatting/loading documents and meeting due date deadlines. Students in music technology are challenged to learn the many aspects of digital media learning (core knowledge, core computer skills, digital audio/video editing). By using the Internet in an online simulated/asynchronous learning environment, students are learning how to be successful.
Just when all seems dark and dreary — at least in economic times — there are NEW opp’s that burst on the scene. Sometimes innovation meets solidarity, i.e., a solid wall of resistance. New ideas cost money! Why do we need THAT? It uses too much internet (bandwidth). Maybe you haven’t been faced with solidarity but most educators have and do. The answer? It appears that our instructional approach should “appear” for our students.
While the use of AV has been promulgated by every researcher and journal article-ist, the exact course of action isn’t clear. For example, projection systems are not new but they are an effective way to display powerpoint, photos and movies for instructional purposes. What happens when you want to take a FIELD TRIP with your students…without leaving the campus? Virtual touring. How does the “average” teacher do such a thing?
My suggestion is that you consider using ELLUMINATE (http://knowledgebank.globalteacher.org.au/elluminate). In basics terms, here is what you can do with Elluminate.
What is Elluminate?
Elluminate is an online application allowing a group of people to communicate in real time through an internet connected computer. You use your own computer to listen, speak to others and participate in activities. All users enter a ‘room’ at a set time, where different people take on the roles of participants, presenters and facilitators. Elluminate vRoom is a FREE product for real-time collaboration with up to three participants. Features include two-way voice-over-IP audio, interactive whiteboard, direct messaging, application sharing, file transfer, web touring, live video, and breakout rooms.
As musicians, music educators, music instructional techies, music this and music that — we work, work, work! When we’re not WORKING, we’re possibly BLOGGING!
The old addage “It ain’t ART if it ain’t got HEART” is true. As creative artists, we must allow TIME for ourselves to rekindle the artistic fires within oursevles. Just this evening, we’ve bought a couple of TIKI candles for the back yard. I found that the WICK doesn’t do anything without the FUEL.
During seasons of potential R & R, we must take the time to rest and relax. WHY? To keep the fires of creativity, freshness and vibrancy alive in our ART and HEART.
I hope you’ll find time to LIGHT THE WICK… but you’ve got to FILL THE TANK first!! Running low on the fuel needed to be creative? Take some time to buy a TIKI TORCH @ Wally World. Sit on the porch. Listen to the MUSIC OF THE SPHERES when you can.
Go light YOUR torch! The artisitic world will be glad you did.
John
I am proud to be a Music Education Blogger! If you haven’t joined the ME Blog? What R U waiting on? Christmas? That’s too far away. But these guys are here. Right now and we are willing to help YOU become a better music tech educator. You’ll glad that you “blogged on”.
John Wilborn's Weblog 