MUSIC EDUCATOR

Prac teaching is this absolutely amazing whirlwind of information and experience that gets thrown at you.

 

I've been fortunate enough to be completing my practicum at a school that is very technology based in the classroom. 

 

Google Drive + Apps

I had not used any of the Google Apps before commencing prac, and now I won't (except to upload a uni assignment where .docx is mandatory) be using any of the Microsoft Office applications again. 

It is amazing to be able to create collaborative documents where multiple students can be working on the same project at once, where worrying about saving and backing up your work is not a problem.

For example, students will be working on a presentation in groups, where each student is working on a different slide. They are provided with a link to a blank "Slides" document where they can all create and share information together at the same time.

 

The collaborative nature of the Google Apps, and that they can be opened on any device with a browser definitely mean they have a pretty secure future in every classroom.

 

Music First

Music First provide a learning management system where you can easily access any students work. They provide access to programs such as Noteflight - a great browser based notation program.

 

The BYOD program means that in any given class group there is a wide variety of devices that are being used. This means that when setting tasks, they must be accessible accross all operating systems. This is why browser based DAWs such as Soundtrap are great, as any student can open them and they are soon to be fully functional on mobile devices.

 

Everything in the classroom is designed so that a student can sit down and instantly begin their work without having to worry about setting up. Cables are coiled up ready to be plugged in to laptops and instruments, while all the messy wiring has been hidden away - so it looks clean but most importantly, the students hands don't get to them.

On the iMacs that are available for students to record and edit with, simple templates have been set up, so they with just a few clicks, the students can have a great guitar sound, male vocal sound, a drum track etc.

Everything is accessible for everyone.