A Whole New World...

The Possibilities are Endless

When I initially began my Web 2.0 class, I thought to myself, "There is surely not THAT much more software for me to use in the music classroom!"  I was wrong.  Web 2.0 has exposed me to so much technology, that it makes my head spin.  I initially thought that Power Point and Finale were my limits, now I realize I have  none!

I can use everything from wordles, to voice thread, to digital story, to story bird, to animoto...there are just too many name.  Now, I could not use this technology  every day in the music classroom, but these will certainly help enhance certain lessons throughout the week. For instance, it could be hard for students to understand non-western music and how it relates to them.  I could use my newly learned technology  to explain the benefit, uses, and beauty of non-Western music through digital story or story bird.  These technological tools will enable me to engage my class more, rather than me just talking about it boringly in front of them.  Kids these days are highly visual and tech savoy; sometimes, technology is the ONLY way to get there attention.

Although blogging is not new to me, I have never blogged for an educational and professional purpose.  The blog assignments helped me organize my thoughts on what I learned, what I enjoyed, what I can do differently as teacher, and I also  discovered what other  people in the music education community had to say.  While researching blogs, I came across some that were very helpful and insightful about music education and actually being in the classroom, such as Music Ed Magic.   It's nice to know I have such helpful resources out there.

This class not only helped me as a teacher, but also as an overall professional.  I learned how to make myself stand out professionally with appropriate cover letters, unique brochures, and engaging web pages.  I feel so much more confident about graduating because I feel this class helped me become one step closer to being  a professional, rather than just a student. 

Web 2.0 with Dr. Parker opened up a whole new world and realm of technology for me.  I feel like I have struck teaching gold with these newly learned resources.  I feel as if I can sparkle in the classroom, and there is no excuse for me to ever have a dull lesson with the technological gems I learned.