Saturday, November 30, 2013

PLN Resources: Flisti and Goo.gl



If you are like me, you are likely weary of creating more online accounts. This is why I love Flisti: no account creation required for anyone! Flisti is a free poll creator that can be easily accessed by those answering your question(s). There are also social media links to share your newly created poll on Facebook and Twitter. It is easy to monitor the results and number of people who have answered your poll within the clean design of the application.


goo.gl
This URL shortener is a fantastic way to get students to a particular website quickly, without the need to type a web address roughly the distance of the Earth to the moon. With a Google account, you are able to track web visits - much like Bit.ly.

Saturday, November 23, 2013

PLN Resources: Infogr.am and Excel Tricks

Infogr.am
This is a great resource for creating eye-catching info-graphics for students, administration and parents. The possibilities are endless.

Excel Tricks
Help learn tricks to unlock the power of Microsoft Excel to benefit your music program!

Saturday, November 16, 2013

PLN: Observation and Google Play

One the greatest benefits of social media (blogs, twitter, facebook, etc.) is to share professional resources. Below are a few I have found most interesting this time around.

Why observation should be your first response to misbehavior
Our reactions to situations matter, as educators. If we model "calm, cool and collected" behaviors, even when things do not go our way, we promote the attitudes and responses we desire students to have. This article discusses the approach to classroom "governance" that is based on behavior observation prior to response. Similar to the ideas proposed by Madsen & Madsen and David Newell.

Google Play
Another great resource to find apps for various content areas, grades, and content standards.

Sunday, November 10, 2013

PLN Resources and Noteflight Reaction

Noteflight Shared Score: 
Bicycle Built for Two (Dacre)


I grew up with "Save and Save often" when it came to computers and word processing. However, many web-based platforms (e.g., Google Docs) and Finale and Sibelius auto-save files with each new revision. When opening a new file in Noteflight, I saw a bar at the bottom of the page that I assumed was one such auto-save feature. As a result ... I did not save anything throughout the data input. I was nearly completed, all that remained was adding the dynamic in measure one and "Moderate Waltz Tempo", when this happened ... 
WHAT?!
Travis Zinnel shard Study Boost this week on his blog. Since our district is encouraging digital citizenship and consequently the issues related to effective use of technology, Study Boost is a way for educators to link students' PED (Personal Electronic Device) to learning. Teachers can create quizzes for students to hone their knowledge: perfect before semester or final exams - or periodic assessments throughout the year. 
When it comes to what (school and community based) music does for the brain, Dr. Nina Kraus is leading the way. A tremendous and important article written by Lori Miller Kase and posted on the Atlantic website highlights research on the benefits music-making has on students. As a music teacher: it's not surprising - we've known this stuff for years :) But now we have longitudinal research data to prove our "hunches" 




I am not entirely sure what happened, but the internet window froze. As a result, I lost everything and had to start over again. Besides that minor... OK, major set-back, I think Noteflight is a great free resource for students to begin experimenting, sharing and collaborating with friends. Noteflight combines composition with elements of social media, to make the experience more dynamic. It is definitely a platform I will share with students. As a Finale user, I thought it was a bit cumbersome. I was wrongly-expecting some similar key commands that would have made note entry a bit faster; however, what a fantastic option for schools and districts that do not have the funds to purchase the pricey notation software currently on the market. 


One the greatest benefits of social media (blogs, twitter, facebook, etc.) is to share professional resources. Below are a few I have found most interesting this time around.



Saturday, November 2, 2013

PLN Resources: Rhythmic Labeling and BANG!



One the greatest benefits of social media (blogs, twitter, facebook, etc.) is to share professional resources. Below are a few I have found most interesting this time around.


A major refocus in my teaching this year is around the topic of rhythmic literacy. This week, I found two helpful approaches. The first is an additional (yet simple) step in an approach I already utilize: rhythmic labeling. While I already stress the vertical alignment of the counting below the given rhythms (e.g., 1+2+3+4+), Dan Shure recommends circling the labels where sound is initiated. This better links the notation and the counting system.

The second is a rhythmic game, best accomplished in smaller student groups, called BANG! You can read more about it and download free printables here