Reflection on Technology
Creating this website has been a process of exploration into the instructional potential of a variety of technologies and technological applications. While I was aware of many of these tools prior to this class, my main takeaway has been that the tech-powered music educator must not only have a command of the technologies currently available, they must be an effective scout for determining the educational potential of other technological tools that arise. My own music education did not include much technology for the main reason that there was not much available and our schools were also not equipped to support a tech-powered music program. However, as this changes, educators of all subjects will be charged with presenting material in a way with which students are familiar, using technology.
Although I was familiar with the existence of all these tools prior to this class, I always thought of them as tools on which I was on the receiving end, and this class has forced me to become familiar with these tools and see myself as the creator of resources instead of the consumer. I now feel confident in my ability to use these tools to transmit information to my students. I can see many of these tools being used as part of a reverse classroom, in particular podcasting and screencasting. Tools such as YouTube could be used both in the classroom or at home. PowerPoint remains an effective tool for classroom presentations. My knowledge from this class allows me to think about ways in which technology can be used to push the boundaries of what is possible in the classroom. I can see myself using all of these tools given the right situation in the classroom, especially screen- and podcasting, which would allow more time for music-making while in class.
I would like to further my abilities in being able to find websites that are potentially applicable in the classroom. Although I am now proficient on the tools covered in class, the biggest thing that I can do for my students is stay on top of technology trends, and I'd like to do some research to find forums that address music education technology so that I can ensure that I am always up to date. Although I do not think that technology is right for every occasion in the classroom, I am now more open to its potential given the right circumstances. Instead of taking away from face-to-face interactions, there are many circumstances where technology can clear the way for more meaningful personal interactions in the classroom, especially valuable in a music classroom.
Although I was familiar with the existence of all these tools prior to this class, I always thought of them as tools on which I was on the receiving end, and this class has forced me to become familiar with these tools and see myself as the creator of resources instead of the consumer. I now feel confident in my ability to use these tools to transmit information to my students. I can see many of these tools being used as part of a reverse classroom, in particular podcasting and screencasting. Tools such as YouTube could be used both in the classroom or at home. PowerPoint remains an effective tool for classroom presentations. My knowledge from this class allows me to think about ways in which technology can be used to push the boundaries of what is possible in the classroom. I can see myself using all of these tools given the right situation in the classroom, especially screen- and podcasting, which would allow more time for music-making while in class.
I would like to further my abilities in being able to find websites that are potentially applicable in the classroom. Although I am now proficient on the tools covered in class, the biggest thing that I can do for my students is stay on top of technology trends, and I'd like to do some research to find forums that address music education technology so that I can ensure that I am always up to date. Although I do not think that technology is right for every occasion in the classroom, I am now more open to its potential given the right circumstances. Instead of taking away from face-to-face interactions, there are many circumstances where technology can clear the way for more meaningful personal interactions in the classroom, especially valuable in a music classroom.