Blog post 5

Technology has already made a change in the school system and has become very beneficial in the music class room. Working at my internship in Bridgeport I have noticed that technology has already made the learning experience different for students. One of the most beneficial additions to the class room that I find has improved music education is the smart board. Smart boards were something that my high school was just starting to install when I was in eleventh grade. Most teachers were intimidated by them and I remember my band teacher thinking it would be a waste of space in the band room. I don't know if she is using it today but the music teachers at the school where I am doing my internship love using the smart boards. Smart boards can play live performances and other videos. This is priceless especially at the elementary level. Students can now see pictures and watch performances of practically every instrument. The smart board can also be used to show music videos to show the musical culture of other nations.

Another area where technology has improved music education is in the music theory room. Many high schools have music theory classes that have keyboards in them for the students to play. Electric keyboards are cool but whats cooler now is the MIDI input. Students can now play their keyboards into a computer program such as pro tools or finale and make their own songs/ compositions. The sounds on these interfaces range from classical instruments to electric rock instruments so the possibilities are endless.

Something that caught my eye while I was searching on Google was the use of I pads in the music room. This is something that will definitely change music education the more popular they become. I was reading that a lot of music educators are asking their principals for I Pad grants so this method of teaching seems to be working. There area number of free and cheap apps for the I pad that are beneficial to music education. Also I pads can be used as a “students instrument” and a whole class can perform a show on their I pads. Technology is growing every year and it is creating good improvements in music education.