Thing 20 – Google Docs ( OH MY GOSH !)

I am going to enjoy discovering more things to do with Google Docs. When I was reading about all the possibilities in the assignment, I was becoming a bit overwhelmed (it does not take much these days). Once I got started, I could not believe how easy it was to at least create a simple spreadsheet and form. After I created the form that I wanted everyone to fill out, Google literally did the work for me in formating the spreadsheet. I decided to indulge my curiosity about how many of our teachers and administrators played (and still play) and instrument or sang in a chorus while they were in school. So I created a spreadsheet with a form that could be filled out called Web 2.0 Music Survey. I think it would be interesting information to present to my students.

I can think of many ways to use this tool, both privately and professionally but I will only put down the three that strike me as being most valuable to my classroom.

!.) Our music library is getting too large to store in my head, so I am going to use a Google Spreadsheet to Catalog it according to skill levels, class level, seasonal,solo parts available…etc.

2.) When the students bring in their personal instruments, I am going to use another spreadsheet to keep a record of the serial numbers and important info about their instrument. Three times last year, we had an incident where one student lost their instrument but rather then tell someone, they kept borrowing other students instruments (without their knowledge). Thankfully, 2 of the instruments were found (not the one lost by the original student) because the parents had a serial number and I was able to trace it.

3.) I would like to expand on the Web 2.0 Survey I am doing now by sending a similar survey to be filled out by my parents.

I will use Google Docs in soooo many other ways like Instrument inventories, DVD/Tape inventories,special lesson activity inventories…etc; just give me time.

Thing 18 – My Adventures in Podcasting Land

Once I got over the fear of sounding like a blabbering idiot, the podcast was actually fun. Evoca seemed pretty user friendly for me. I can see where you would need some time and do a lot of planning to really present a polished program. All the poscasts I visited showed me a different way that I could use this tool in class.

This past school year, in the spring, we had an assignment where students were to write a very simple 4 bar composition, using various keys, notes,symbols…etc that they learned during the year. Some used only 4 bars but others just went wild and came up with some very creative compositions. We highlighted some of those in class and picked one student composition from each class to be played by the student during our spring concert. A podcast would be an excellent way to additionally highlight these student’s efforts.

Thing 17 – Podcasting Intro

Being a music teacher, I especially want to explore incorporating podcasting into my teaching. Before I signed up for this class, I had signed up for both the videocasting class in June and the podcasting class in August. With this intro to Podcasting, I am looking forward to the class in August. I think that with planning, a periodic class podcast would be very informative and inspiring for the students as well as allowing them to present their creative attempts. More to follow in the following blog.

I subscribed to the NPR “From the Top” performances and the Learning Out Loud podcasts of ” The Future of Music”. I could certainly show the “From the Top” performances to my students. The ” Future of Music” was suggested as a Personal Learning venue but I could certainly bring what I learn back to the students. I plan to listen to it more when time permits.

Now I am looking forward to getting my toes wet with my own experimental Podcast.