In 2003 I took a class presented by Intel on technology in the classroom. The skills we learned were building web sites, creating power points, creative uses for publisher programs and how to use these programs to teach students. At one point I was queen bee of the class because I found and downloaded a simple audio clip from the internet to accompany a presentation I created in power point. Today, it seems archaic. A simple search on YouTube produces far more complicated and creative videos that kids create in their spare time than we, at the time, ever thought possible outside of Hollywood. And yet, just a few years later, it's all commonplace.
That is the world our students "play" in. Our students are master web builders, movie makers and online travelers. Why is it that they can play with and master such technology but at school they still go to the library to research possible job opportunities from outdated books? As strange as it may sound, Education is slow to learn.
The web site http://www.21stcenturyskills.org is dedicated to seeing the students of today learn the skills they need to succeed tomorrow. Of course, that has been the job of public education from the beginning. But today’s education system is falling behind. This web site is packed full of information on what 21st century skills students need to enter the workforce in the future. I liked the many links to other school districts and industries that are working to improve learning for our students, but found it difficult to gain any real information.
I felt much of the information was just scratching the surface. The site suggests concepts and then links to another site that also speaks in concepts, which then links to another site and so on. I’m a give-me-the-facts person. Give me an idea on “how” to apply “Principle 4: The library media program models and promotes creative, effective, and collaborative teaching.” from the America Association of School Librarians web site and their attempt at promoting the 21st century skill “Information Literacy.” (http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/aasl/aaslproftools/informationpower/iplearningteaching.cfm) I know this site is to “…Serve as a catalyst…” (http://www.21stcenturyskills.org ) for 21st century skills. But it feels more like a report on research findings. Maybe I didn’t look deep enough.
It is important to teach our students these skills, now help me know how.
http://www.21stcenturyskills.org
http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/aasl/aaslproftools/informationpower/iplearningteaching.cfm
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Podcast idea revamped - a better idea
I was thinking just today how my original podcast idea could be improved. Originally I thought about my students researching an artist of their choosing. OK, it was a nice idea, but had nothing to do with anything other than getting them to create a podcast in a way they might care about. But today, I got a better idea.
My choir students are starting to learn a new set of music. It is all folk music from around the world. The last two days the choir has been listening to a Kennedy Center podcast (The Kitchen Sink podcast via iTunes)about the endangered music of the Yunnan Province in China. I prepped the podcast by asking my students to think about all the music and stories that have died throughout history simply because there was no one left who knew the words. Then I asked them to think about that crazy Aunt Susie or Grandpa Joe who always tells the same stories when they come to visit. We talked about how folk music and stories were an oral tradition. When their crazy Aunt Susie tells a story, it is a tradition that is as old as mankind. I wanted to know it was important that they remember the stories, even if they thought there were dumb or unimportant. I then challenged them to listen closer, write down or record these stories because the day will come when Grandpa Joe is gone and his stories will be gone too. I challenged them to remember because they will be helping to preserve their culture and their history.
So, here is my idea. I think it would be a great idea to have my students interview their "Great Aunt Susie" about songs their parents used to sing to them or the music of their childhood. From there, interviews could be developed into podcasts and so on.
The best part, their podcasts can be incorporated into the final concert performance. You know, along the lines of any Ken Burns documentary; commentary from real people intermixed with music and facts.
Oooo, I'm liking this idea more and more.
My choir students are starting to learn a new set of music. It is all folk music from around the world. The last two days the choir has been listening to a Kennedy Center podcast (The Kitchen Sink podcast via iTunes)about the endangered music of the Yunnan Province in China. I prepped the podcast by asking my students to think about all the music and stories that have died throughout history simply because there was no one left who knew the words. Then I asked them to think about that crazy Aunt Susie or Grandpa Joe who always tells the same stories when they come to visit. We talked about how folk music and stories were an oral tradition. When their crazy Aunt Susie tells a story, it is a tradition that is as old as mankind. I wanted to know it was important that they remember the stories, even if they thought there were dumb or unimportant. I then challenged them to listen closer, write down or record these stories because the day will come when Grandpa Joe is gone and his stories will be gone too. I challenged them to remember because they will be helping to preserve their culture and their history.
So, here is my idea. I think it would be a great idea to have my students interview their "Great Aunt Susie" about songs their parents used to sing to them or the music of their childhood. From there, interviews could be developed into podcasts and so on.
The best part, their podcasts can be incorporated into the final concert performance. You know, along the lines of any Ken Burns documentary; commentary from real people intermixed with music and facts.
Oooo, I'm liking this idea more and more.
Monday, January 19, 2009
Podcast idea...hmmm.....
I know this really has nothing to do with our next assignment...at least I don't think it does. But it was an idea and I wanted to share.
I had a thought this weekend about a way I can get technology into the hands of my students beyond the blog. Later on in this course, we will have to create a podcast. The recording part is the least of my concerns. It is the converting to MP3 and uploading I'm not so sure about. I'm sure I will learn more as I move through the class. But all our recent discussion about technology in the classroom and its importance got me thinking. How do I actually put it in the hands of my students? A podcast is what I came up with, for now.
I am going to have all my students create a podcast. Their assignment will be to research their favorite music artist. We just finished a similar assignment in choir, but my students were assigned a specific person to research. This time, they'll get to choose.
1. Research their artist.
2. Create a written report/speech that presents all the details
3. Record
4. Upload
Now all I have to figure out is how to get it uploaded to the internet and post it on my school blog.
I'm very excited about this. In reality, it has nothing to do with what we are studying next in music, but it gives my students a chance to share who they like and why and then share it with world via our blog.
What do you think?
Kerry
Hey, maybe when I get smarter about Wikis, they could upload their written detail there...
I had a thought this weekend about a way I can get technology into the hands of my students beyond the blog. Later on in this course, we will have to create a podcast. The recording part is the least of my concerns. It is the converting to MP3 and uploading I'm not so sure about. I'm sure I will learn more as I move through the class. But all our recent discussion about technology in the classroom and its importance got me thinking. How do I actually put it in the hands of my students? A podcast is what I came up with, for now.
I am going to have all my students create a podcast. Their assignment will be to research their favorite music artist. We just finished a similar assignment in choir, but my students were assigned a specific person to research. This time, they'll get to choose.
1. Research their artist.
2. Create a written report/speech that presents all the details
3. Record
4. Upload
Now all I have to figure out is how to get it uploaded to the internet and post it on my school blog.
I'm very excited about this. In reality, it has nothing to do with what we are studying next in music, but it gives my students a chance to share who they like and why and then share it with world via our blog.
What do you think?
Kerry
Hey, maybe when I get smarter about Wikis, they could upload their written detail there...
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Blogs in my classroom
This last fall, I started a blog with my choir students. I posted all instructions on the web, including links to research sites and then asked students to post comments at the end of the class on how they did on the assignment. It was a good idea.
Needless to say, before it was all said and done, the whole thing came to a crashing halt. I can see now that we all lacked a little preparation. I plan to do better this time around.
First, I plan spend some time in my classroom going over cyber-etiquette. This is not widely taught, so it will be up to me, the music teacher, to get it taught to my students. I have wi-fi access in my room so I can use the Promethean board to access the web, our blog, etc. to teach my students how to properly navigate the page and act in cyberspace.
Second, I am currently using our blog as a bulletin board for concert information, post recordings and pictures of performances and even links I find interesting. I mentioned posting concert recordings on the blog to my students, they were unmoved. When I added to it that their audience would now be the world, "that's cool" mumblings rumbled through the room. Using the blog for snapshots of performances is a great way for family far away to see our performances. Also, as a teacher I like to see what other schools are doing. I follow two schools' blogs to see what they do in their classroom. These are examples of what I want for our blog to grow into. (See their blogs in the link section.)
Third, I hope to have our blog develop into an open forum for discussions. My original idea for the blog was to have a place for students to share their music history research findings. I would like this to grow back into that again.
For now, I'm going to keep it as the online "bulletin board" for music accomplishments, notices and work my way back to my original goal. Here is our blog if you would like to check it out.
http://pleasantviewmusic.blogspot.com/
Needless to say, before it was all said and done, the whole thing came to a crashing halt. I can see now that we all lacked a little preparation. I plan to do better this time around.
First, I plan spend some time in my classroom going over cyber-etiquette. This is not widely taught, so it will be up to me, the music teacher, to get it taught to my students. I have wi-fi access in my room so I can use the Promethean board to access the web, our blog, etc. to teach my students how to properly navigate the page and act in cyberspace.
Second, I am currently using our blog as a bulletin board for concert information, post recordings and pictures of performances and even links I find interesting. I mentioned posting concert recordings on the blog to my students, they were unmoved. When I added to it that their audience would now be the world, "that's cool" mumblings rumbled through the room. Using the blog for snapshots of performances is a great way for family far away to see our performances. Also, as a teacher I like to see what other schools are doing. I follow two schools' blogs to see what they do in their classroom. These are examples of what I want for our blog to grow into. (See their blogs in the link section.)
Third, I hope to have our blog develop into an open forum for discussions. My original idea for the blog was to have a place for students to share their music history research findings. I would like this to grow back into that again.
For now, I'm going to keep it as the online "bulletin board" for music accomplishments, notices and work my way back to my original goal. Here is our blog if you would like to check it out.
http://pleasantviewmusic.blogspot.com/
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Welcome to my blog!
My name is Kerry Seip and I am a music teacher. I have taught all grade levels and a good variety of subjects. Even though I'm not working in elementary rignt now, my favorite grades to teach are second and fifth grade. They are so full of joy and have a great zest for life. Eighth graders and high schoolers are slowly starting to grow on me. But my elementary kiddos are still my favorite.
I am fortunate to be married to my biggest collaborator and my best friend. My husband Todd is also a music teacher and just about the nicest man in the world. We have been married 17 years. We have two amazing children who daily teach us about living. Our daughter Kai Lin is five years old and sings, dances, laughs, runs hard, plays fast and can light up any room with her smile and twinkling eyes. Our son Li Hong is "almost five" and is an architect, engineer, rollercoaster designer, poet, storyteller, producer and loves chicken and french fries that come with a toy. Their tiny presence in our lives keeps us running non stop and remind us just how lucky we are.
My current teaching assignment is middle school music. My school has just over 300 students and I have 75 in two choir classes, 50 in two band classes, 25 in drama and 18 in piano. That is well over half the school! But I have room for a few more! I am also the color guard coach for a local four-time state champ high school marching band. Growing up, I never wanted to be a teacher. But now that I have been one for over 11 years, it is where I belong. I love music. But more importantly, I want to share that love of music with the next generation.
Currently, Todd and I are working on our Masters degrees in Integrating Technology into the Classroom. Our classes are through Walden University. This blog has been created as a place to share insight into the impact technology can have in the classroom today and in the future. Check back often for new information. Better yet, sign up for the RSS feed for my blog and stay up-to-date with all the changes as they happen. Please feel free to leave a comment as well as any great links related to music and technology. I am always looking for the latest and greatest so that I can give my students the best education I know how to give.
I am fortunate to be married to my biggest collaborator and my best friend. My husband Todd is also a music teacher and just about the nicest man in the world. We have been married 17 years. We have two amazing children who daily teach us about living. Our daughter Kai Lin is five years old and sings, dances, laughs, runs hard, plays fast and can light up any room with her smile and twinkling eyes. Our son Li Hong is "almost five" and is an architect, engineer, rollercoaster designer, poet, storyteller, producer and loves chicken and french fries that come with a toy. Their tiny presence in our lives keeps us running non stop and remind us just how lucky we are.
My current teaching assignment is middle school music. My school has just over 300 students and I have 75 in two choir classes, 50 in two band classes, 25 in drama and 18 in piano. That is well over half the school! But I have room for a few more! I am also the color guard coach for a local four-time state champ high school marching band. Growing up, I never wanted to be a teacher. But now that I have been one for over 11 years, it is where I belong. I love music. But more importantly, I want to share that love of music with the next generation.
Currently, Todd and I are working on our Masters degrees in Integrating Technology into the Classroom. Our classes are through Walden University. This blog has been created as a place to share insight into the impact technology can have in the classroom today and in the future. Check back often for new information. Better yet, sign up for the RSS feed for my blog and stay up-to-date with all the changes as they happen. Please feel free to leave a comment as well as any great links related to music and technology. I am always looking for the latest and greatest so that I can give my students the best education I know how to give.
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