Well, here's why...
I was very glad that this class focused on using ITC in music classrooms. Having had other education courses that brushes on music and puts main focus on general subject areas, I was getting pretty tired of making things up according to my teachable area. But voila! here came the class that was finally relevant to my teachable area, music! Thanks to Mike! :)
At first I began the class without any big thoughts about it, but as we proceeded more into the semester and into the course, it stimulated my interest in the subject area, and how ICT can be used very effectively not only in other subject areas, but also in music classroom. I still wonder how it will be as useful in Senior music classes as it will be in lower level of music classes.
One thing of the things that I really liked and will use in the future was well wisher. It was a site where I can create a "wall" of a topic and the students can post their ideas onto the "wall" during the class AND even when they are at home on their own computers. I thought that this was very cool because the students doesn't necessarily have to sign up for the site, and can just simply write down their thoughts and click it onto the "wall". These posts can be viewed both by the teacher and also by the classmates. It stimulates the student's participation outside of school and doesn't have to wait until they are back in their seats the next day.
Similarly, there also is google docs where it can be used very effectively on group projects. This, however, is a little bit more complicated than the well wisher. The student must have a google account and be invited by the host (whoever is in charge, I guess) to be able to write, and fix the document on the google docs. Otherwise, they would have to have a link to have an access to view it. Because of more complicated nature of the program (?), it would be more suitable for older grades.
Next think that I really enjoyed was Smartboard tools. In class, we were divided into small groups and were to present an usage of Smartboard to the rest of the class. This part of the course gave me a really good grasp of Smartboard that I thought was very complicated to use. But just like any other things, once I got to know it and having to use it, I became more familiar with it and had fun using it! This is something that I think that all teachers need to know how to use it as more schools are implementing it within their schools.
As the society is becoming more competent with the usage technology, I think it is time for the curriculums to change so that children are taught how to use technology properly. The question is then should children be free to use technology at home? A lot of homes have restrictions for their children. Some doesn't have any access to any technology once they are off of the school grounds. Or for most, children are not given much time and liberty using internet and computer and other technologies at home. Should this be continued at school? Should schools still go ahead with their proposed curriculum with using technology? Should schools block and filter internet or not?
Even a few years ago, my school division had blocked YouTube site. But there are so many useful videos that the teachers can show to the students for learning purposes. My teacher, who was very literate with technology and media had convinced the school board to only allow access to YouTube just on the computer in the band room.
I think its time that rules and expectations should change.
A few weeks back, I watched a video called "schools kill creativity" by Ken Robinson
He talks how schools are killing creativity in our children by eliminating arts classes due to fund cuts. I posted a blog post about my thoughts on this. (just scroll down further and you will be able to read my thoughts!) In addition to that, I think that adding technology to the curriculum will open up another array of creativity that the students can paint their creative thoughts.
As technology is becoming more common in our daily lives, it was suggested in class that we all create a website of my future class, as well as an eportfolio that will be able to say my professionalism. So here are the links to those.
Website: Music Note
ePortfolio: Clara Park
In a nutshell, technology is something that I will continue to explore and use in my future teaching.
Thanks for spending last couple of months with me! and I will see you soon! :)
(Created from Wordle)
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