Week 1 - Blog Posting #2 - Learning 2.0

Learning 2.0

How do we teach kids in a 2.0 era?

Many of the same concepts and GLE’s can be taught using web 2.0 programs.

Currently in my middle school general music classroom, I try to use as much technology as possible. I have a SmartBoard that I use constantly. I use it during lectures to keep the students engaged with videos, sound files, and interactive activities. The students really respond more positively and more attentively when watching a group of South American natives perform at traditional folk song, as opposed to just listening. The students can not only learn the sounds of the native song, but also view the instruments used, the tradition dress worn, the setting of the performance, and other aspects of the culture.

I also use a wireless laptop cart for certain projects in my classroom. My students use music notation software when composing music. I do feel it is important for them to notate their own music on manuscript, but I only require them to do this for songs they are going to perform. If they are composing a song for an orchestra or a rock band, why not let them use the software so they can hear how the ensemble would sound playing their creation.

I do utilize many different forms of technology in my classroom, but all are web 1.0 programs. How do I incorporate web 2.0 tools?

Catherine Lombardozzi posted an article on how to use web 2.0 tools while teaching traditional concepts in education. She talks about how students should use the Internet when researching and not be limited to hardcopy resources. Evaluating resources is a useful tool for students to know so they are able to choose useful, relevant and noteworthy sources. Students should be able to network with other students to share ideas and gather information. (Lombardozzi 2009)

I was also very excited to discover many blogs on how to use web 2.0 in the music classroom. I found a post on Classroom 2.0 inquiring about this topic (Andrew 2007). There were 21 responses regarding a variety different web 2.0 tools. Many posts refer to using SmartMusic, which is a music technology used mostly with band and orchestra students.

www.mrsmuench.com is a site with many interactive elementary music activities.

http://cooltoolsforschools.wikispaces.com/Music+Tools is a website that lists numerous web 2.0 tools for music education.

http://www.weareteachers.com is a site where teacher sell products they have developed for their classroom, I did not find any web 2.0 tools but so useful information anyways.

http://www.mustech.net/ is a website with a variety of interactive quizzes and exercises on high school or college theory concepts.

http://mymusictech.blogspot.com/ is a blog about using music technology in the music classroom.

http://www.andrewmercer.ca is another blog about using music technology in the music classroom.

www.mrsmuench.edublogs.org is a blog about elementary general music.

http://theresawhite.edublogs.org is a blog about teaching elementary and high school music.

http://pianomusings.blogspot.com is a blog about teaching piano.

Many of the blogs and site have been very inspiring and I cannot wait to use them in my classroom!

Check back to see what I come up with!

Andrew (2007). Web 2.0 and learning music. Retrieved September 10, 2009, from Classroom 2.0 Web site: http://www.classroom20.com/forum/topics/649749: Topic:84428?id=649749%3ATopic%3A84428&page=2#comments

Lombardozzi, Catherine (2009). Learning 2.0. Retrieved September 10, 2009, from Learning Journal Web site: http://learningjournal.wordpress.com/2009/01/18/learning-20/