I oftentimes think of this poster that I've seen in many choir rehearsal rooms that was created by a company called Tone Deaf Comics. As music teachers, we strive to create the best quality opportunities and education for students, but being a team of one makes the workload daunting. Technology can help ease the burden. Dr. Bauer (2014, p. 169) states that utilizing technology can help in "completing [duties] in an efficient and expedient matter [which] reduces stress and leaves time to concentrate on what's really important: teaching music." Technology can help teachers get bak to what really counts. This week's reading and assignments realigned me with just how much technology can make our teacher lives easier.
For one, Google's extensive technology is lifesaving, and it has great capabilities to assist in assessing student work. In a data-driven society, there is great need for students to receive a variety of assessments while also providing documented evidence that "give[s] students a clear picture of their progress ... [and] how they might improve" (Bauer, 2014, p. 132). Electronic based surveys such as Google Forms can create summative assessments in the forms of quizzes that can formally assess student learning. It can also assist in conducting authentic or performance-based assessments, where teachers can input a specific checklist, rating scale, or rubric and quickly assess students with the push of a button, eliminating the need for stacks of paper and tired hands.
Google Sites helps with developing student learning portfolios, and electronic compilation of work that allows students the "opportunity to show what they can do" (Bauer, 2014, p. 141). This easy-to-use interface allows website construction at a basic level while still looking professional and put-together. Google Sites is also an excellent path to creating interactive web-based assignments, such as a web scavenger hunt or a Webquest, to aid in fun and engaging student learning.
On a practical level, Google Calendar has kept my life in order for years, and I employ its use in the office to keep our staff's calendars in sync and broadcasting our organizational calendar to our community and parents. I enjoyed learning about tools like Google Hangout from my colleagues in the discussion forum, as well as sharing many resources I've picked up along the way.
This week also focused on professional development. My mentor as a high school student always lived by the mantra "when you stop being better, you stop being good." I too strive to live into that way of being, and I think the path I need to take is developing my TPACK, as well as finding more ways for technology to streamline administrative processes in my work and home life. One thing I have enjoyed is developing a "personal learning network" (Bauer, 2014, p. 175) and being able to interact with my colleagues from across the country to share ideas and learn from each other. My eyes have been opened to new possibilities as a result of our interactions, and I am excited to see what will come during the next school year!
Overall, technology has the ability to make a huge difference in our life. The title of this course is Technology-ASSISTED Music Learning. While I do not believe it is wise to lean on technology and expect effective teaching, but with careful planning, a strong TPACK, and a strong will, technology has the ability to transform our classrooms, lighten the workload, and expose students to broader experiences in music learning and personal success.
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Bauer, W.I. (2014). Music learning today: digital pedagogy for creating, performing, and responding to music. New York, NY: Oxford University Press.
Bogenschutz, John. (2012). The many hats of a choir director [Photograph]. Retrieved from http://www.tonedeafcomics.com.
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