Reflection

What a frustrating, eye-opening, hair-pulling, learning experience! This was truly blood, sweat and tears. I did't think I could do it. I'm not sure how many of the tools I will use, but I do think that the PLN and the digital stories are my favorites. Some of the tools I'm still trying to understand.

The outcome of the 11 Tool for me has been that I know have a broader understanding of just how much technology has changed and how it can help bring excitement into the classroom.

Tool 11

I think I would teach my classes how the internet is such a great tool to find interesting music and perfomances. I would also reinforce the need to internet safetfy and parental permission. Many sites that advertise music are good but and easliy end up spamming or costing money. Therefore, having an adult know what the student is doing is vital.

You tube is a great place for parents to put their child's perfomance for relatives and friends to view.

Tool #10

I reviewed two Apps from Apple: The Wheels on the Bus and 5 Little Monkey's Jumping on the Bed. These are apps for preschool songs that are commonly sung in the classroom. They incorporate movement by having the child touch the screen in order for action to occur. For Example: make the doors on the bus open and shut, make the people on the bus go up and down. Very fun software for children and for me too...

Tool #9

Jing is very interesting. I'm not sure how I could have students use it as I'm not sure about the applications for myself. I think I need some collaboration with other teachers to help me see how I could apply this to a music classroom.

Skype is great! I have used skype with my family. I think students could use skype to perform for other children or to see other school performances. There could be remote special speakers as well. The uses for Skype are exciting.

Tool #8

These are videos I found on You Tube about instrument families.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IWxUqwWPQzY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xSEjNLubGvc&NR=1

Tool #7

All right now! It took me almost all day to get this photostory uploaded and I had help. Making the photostory was fun but the other part I did not enjoy. But I think the children will have fun using digital story telling.

Tool #6

At first I really didn't understand what a WIKI was. It seems very similar to google docs so now I am really getting confused. I think a WIKI in a music class would be useful for planning a production. Each class could have input using the same WIKI. Other than that, I am still exploring how to use this tool.

Tool #5

Social Bookmarking is very interesting. It lets you see what others have already found and lets you share information with colleagues and friends. I had a great time looking at diigo and delicious. I set an account on diigo, but needed a lot of help. I did get a little lost. I think with more practice it will become easier. I keep getting google reader and social bookmarking confused.

I found these sites for music teachers:

Music Teacher Resources

Activity Preschool Songs


The tags I used were: music,teacher, preschool and elementary.

Tool #4

Google Docs and Google Reader are Great. I spent the afternoon reading different blogs and subscribing. I have set up a google doc to use with my church to plan our covered dish supper for next Sunday. Everyone was is impressed that I know how to do it and I am a little impressed with myself.

Again, these kind of tools are so helpful for staff who are alone on campuses to share information with others....music teachers, art teachers, counselors, health fitness teachers. I think they are very valuable.

Tool #3

I used Spell with Flickr and Wordle. They are at the bottom of this blog. Students can really have a lot of fun with this and learn new terms and vocabulary.

Tool #2

PLN's would be quite helpful for music teachers. We need a way to collaborate and to share ideas. Sometimes it can be so hard to come up with ideas on your own. Having a PLN to check with and to post on would really helpful.

As far as commenting on posts, I think you do need to be very careful about your comments. While it is nice to try and always be positive sometimes you can add constructive critizism in a polite manner. I, personally, do feel comfortable commenting on posts.