Carol Broos, aka “musictechie” I am an educator who uses technology and performance in teaching music. My passion is joining music and technology seamlessly together.
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 My highlight of the season is the Illinois Music Education Association annual conference. Years ago, on a complete whim, the band director, Don Golden and I, decided to to the the conference, ah, like one week before. We got an hotel, two separate rooms, far from the conference, but from that point on, we were completely hooked on the conference. Although it is held in Peoria, Illinois, three hours away, I will not comment on facilities or venue, it’s the people and organization that make the conference.
From the moment we arrive, I feel I am with “my people.” IMEA completely takes over the town and every hotel, for this is not just a professional development conference it is ALL STATE. What that means is in the fall, the various districts from across the state hold a contest, those students are considered “all district,” then they compete for “all-state.” in choir, band, jazz, and orchestra. If a student is selected, then they come to Peoria and tryout again for the various performing groups, either regular ALL STATE or HONORS ALL STATE. They rehearse over three days and a concert either on Friday night or Saturday afternoon is presented to family and friends. So, you have students, along with educators all at one conference. In addition, various performing groups from elementary through college also perform over the three days. Everyone is carrying music and/or instrument. Students are giddy with their new found friendships and basic black dress or suit is a common thread. I try to attend a mixture of inspiration speakers, new technologies, and a concert or two.
 Greg Wojcik, Taken from GB website It started out fabulously, one of my close friends, Greg Wojcik, the Glenbrook South Band Director, received “The Mary Hoffman” award, basically “Illinois Music Teacher of the Year,” at the opening ceremony. He gave a gracious speech and I am honored to know him. In attendance was many of his students, former students, administrators, and fellow music educators. He has molded Glenbrook South’s band department as an inclusive, talented, and caring depeartment, Always willing to share and share alike. Years ago, he was the Band Director at Sunset Ridge School. He truly cares about his students and is a wonderful role model for every educator.
Taken from Glenbrook School’s website
“Excellence truly describes Mr. Wojcik’s 31 years of teaching at Glenbrook South High School where he teachers Titan Band, Marching Band, Zazz Band, Jazz Ensemble, Symphonic Winds and Band Exploration. Mr. Wojcik has been responsible for making our band one of the finest instrumental groups in the nation. His bands have marched in every major bowl parade and have won numerous band competitions including the St. Rita High School Mustang Stampede this year. He also teaches our students to give of themselves and to make our community an even better place. His drum line and band play at local retirement homes, in the July 4th Glenview Parade, the Holiday Parade, at Rotary fundraisers, Booster Club events and so much more. Simply put, Greg Wojcik teaches instrumentation, marching band and how to share ones’ talents to make our community and world a better place.”
Continue reading My Reflections of IMEA
Coming from Chicago, just going to Florida in January is considered a “snowbird.” But, attending FETC at the same time, I am flying high! I only had 48 hours at the conference, so I tried to make the most of it. After arriving late Wednesday night, I hit the ground running on Thursday morning.
Leslie Fisher
- www.lesliefisher.com
- I had never seen her present in person, this was an experience. She is amazing. Of course her complete presentation is online. www.lesliefisher.com > handouts > (I agree) > iPhone / iPod Touch Application Support Group
- The coolest thing was the vast levels of techieness. She was able to keep me engaged and not overwhelm the newbies. Her web resources are incredible. I am going to spend MLK day just to go through all her stuff. It is great to see a female techie in action, yippee!
- Take-away evernote I have this installed on my laptop, but never really used it. Just reactivated my account and will download the app on my iPhone. I plan on putting all my presentations on there, along with other really important stuff.
Meg Ormiston
- http://megormi.wikispaces.com/google
- I adore Meg, her energy and passion to learn creates an environment of collaboration within her presentation. She gave her TOP 10 LIST. I really enjoyed how she made her audience part of the presentation.
- Take-away goog-411 I had completely forgotten about his cool google feature. Call 1-800-4664-411, give them your location, and what you are looking for, they give you the information.
Rushton Hurley
Time for the vendors and lunch with two newbies from my school and discussed the conference and their excitement to try new things. Yippeee! I then made a mad dash to the tweet-up at TGIFridays and met up with my PLN. Guess what – won a t-shirt! Caught a rickshaw back to my hotel to do some final tweaking of my presentation tomorrow.
Carol Broos
- http://musictechie.pbworks.com/Collaborative-Composer-Project
- I had a Skype call from Brenda Muench, who is part of this project. We talked about how we met at a conference where I was presenting on Podcasting. After the conference, she sent me some of her podcasting links from her students, since then we have become best friends. I emphasize that in order to have a successful collaboration, you have to get along with the people first, then work on the curriculum.
- Take-away “If you can google it, you don’t need to memorize it.” Have students make projects in music, not learning facts about music. I loved connecting with fellow music teachers, there aren’t many of us that are music innovators. I added a few more to my PLN.
Just Connecting…
- Another person I had never met in person was David Fisher, out of Palm Beach, Florida we had done a collaboration on the Lincoln Project last year with his fifth graders and my fifth graders. http://lincoln212.pbworks.com/ He was presenting at the same time with Lee Korbert on VoiceThread, but we manage to carve out time to talk about a new collaboration with his kindergartners and my fifth graders.
Getting Others Involved…
- I had the other teachers from my group go to the VoiceThread presentation with David and Lee (The school already has purchased the VoiceThread accounts and I have set-up all 200 accounts, with avatars) The fourth grade teachers finally saw how cool it was. Even though I have been pushing VoiceThread for over a year, when someone OUTSIDE the school talks or presents, they think it is cool.
- I also set them to see Steve Dembo, he was doing a “Newbie” session. One teacher was texting me through the presentation how cool this was and FINALLY she understood what web 2.0 is and wants to move ahead in technology! Thanks Steve!!!
- It was a wonderful conference, now the work begins with the new apps, programs, and material that gleamed from FETC.
I do not like the words “Gifted” or “Talented.” They bring up an elite attitude with me and really just because you are gifted or talented, you may not use your talents. I like the term “amazing,” because ANY student can be amazing, not just the gifted and talented student. It also includes those who work hard, practice, and have a drive to succeed.
I have taught a lot of amazing students. They range from low to high intelligent. The basic theme is that they are ALWAYS THINKING. They have an inner drive to be excellent and creative. They aren’t the most talented, but they are the most ambitious. They desire new possibilities and crave a creative outlet. I don’t teach these students, I just get out of their way and create possibilities. I say that I give them TIME and SOFTWARE. I usually have one to three students within the class that fall into this category. Upon starting a new project, they are the ones that come to me asking if they could spin the project a different way, usually a way I have never thought of before. They are those students, that find every possible time during the day to be in my room, whether it is during lunch/recess, silent reading or upon completion of a project in another class.
As these students move within the projects, sometime their project takes more time and effort than the others. Other times they finish within a day and are ready to move on to something else.They are NOT on the same page as the rest of the class, and I do not have them do the same projects. They are different and I say that directly to their face. “Whatever I say to the rest of the class is not intended for you.” I have them work separately and at times individually allowing them to soar. When an amazing student is allowed to soar and create, you will see their attitude within the classroom improve and help others. Because they are constantly within this “creative individual” mode there will be ups and downs. The creative mind cannot constantly be in up mode. It needs a “processing” mode as well. So, if the student has come to a road-block and cannot think of what to do next, or how to proceed, it is important you have as least two or three other projects the student is working on. This way they can “process” on one project and work on another. Contests and web 2.0 excites them. They delight in show their work to the outside world.
People ask me how do I get so much out of students with such a limited amount of time. Students are working on MY stuff outside the classroom, by thinking and processing. So, by the time they arrive in the classroom, they are already at full steam on the creative meter.
The delicate balance of the general population student and the “amazing” student is always on my mind. So, that is why I see myself more as a facilitator than teacher. I want to inspire and “allow” these students to be the best they can be.
You can hear my discussion about this with Brenda Muench and Jen Brinkley about teaching “amazing students” on Musically and Technically Speaking podcast.
 I had the pleasure of being apart of the K12 Online Conference, which our presentation is going live today. Carol Vrotny, who teaches PreK-8 Music at Grass Lake School in Antioch, Illinois and I presented “For Those Who Want To Rock, Don’t Suppose, Compose!” We discuss how to get started in technology with flip cameras and iPods. How “telling a story” is the best way to start and develop composition. Our stories are actual experiences we have had in composing within the music classroom. Our wiki, is here for the resources we talk about which includes links and other information about composing.
This is one of the first music presentations that is part of this conference. We had a blast talking and participating within this incredible conference, take a look, and “Don’t Suppose….. COMPOSE!”
Here is our teaser for the presentation.
The academic world wants the arts to be just like them. Some of us, as music teachers, have embraced this philosophy by having classes during the school day, tests, and even finals. As many of you know, I believe in performance, creativity, and composing. This doesn’t really fall into any academic world. Let it be said “I WILL NOT become an ‘academic art.’”
I love assemblies, performances, and showcasing student work. It validates the student and creates an environment of creativity. If we do away with these special times and only teach classes, we risk being just like an academic teacher. Thus, we are not servicing the arts as they were meant to be, an expression of feelings to OTHERS. The arts ARE different from academics. In the real world, they are judged, not graded. By becoming “excellent” in your artsy world, it needs an audience, not a classroom of 24. That is why I have embraced the online world. My students can have a voice outside the classroom, more people online can view my students talent than within the classroom, which has been a blessing. It has created an underground community of creativity and excellence that is judged, not graded.
 Here are some examples:
- The Uniquia Show Uniquia, is a seventh grade girl obsessed with making videos. She gives me a video almost daily. These are amazing and tell quite a story about her and her friends.
- Number 47, I had two eighth graders work on a wonderful Flash presentation, one with the visual, the other with the audio. Judge for yourself.
- Single Ladies Dance, Within my sixth grade music class, we reenacted a scene from “Glee,” it was a terrific bonding experience.
- Cmusicmaker, Every Sunday night I skype with a former student, who is attending a different school. He is composer and we have setup a website to showcase his compositions. We talk music theory and how music creates a mood for each of his works.
- Chordsville, for three years a student composed, wrote, and directed a movie. All of the videos are posts, as well as process he did and how he conceived the story.
- Pixx, Another student loves Photoshop, even though I am a music teacher, he works on his own time and gives me wonderful pictures of creativity.
Often I am asked, “So what was your rubric for the project?” My retort is “If I had made a rubric on this, it would have placed a ceiling on their creativity.” Of course you have to let the student know what you want, but DON’T set the limit, students will only work to that level. Have NO limit and demand creativity and excellence, that will be judged.
The Fine Arts is a very small community and is the David within the school. The Goliath’s have all the power and many administrators, as well as fellow educators, have not performed or understand how important the arts are within the 21st century skills. We have to continue stress WE are different and will not become an “academic art,” by just teaching classes and having no additional assemblies or programs, But if that is not supported, then there is always the internet! What a great world we live in!
 I recently got an email that my high school band director, Mr. Spriester was turning 80 on November 15th and could I send a card. Then I got to thinking, although I live ten miles from where I grew up and never really told him how much he impacted my life. If it weren’t for you Mr. Spriester, I would not be in music and certainly not a music teacher.
Mr. Spriester was one of the most important teachers that enabled me to soar and little did he know how much he impacted my life. As a young freshman in high school, he was the first music educator that did not get upset if any of I made a mistake. I was quite taken my this, all my other music teachers would scream and push me, thus making me nervous and thus I would create even more mistakes. I remember he would say “Just play the mistake loud, so we know what we have to work on.” He demanded respect and excellence. Looking back on all those rehearsals with the eighty or so students, be it marching band, flute challenges or concert rehearsals, he never raised his voice. There were never any behavior issues and the repertoire we played was extremely difficult. The band sounded terrific and his musicianship was incredible.
I have so many memories that rush back, but I am going to talk about three that were life changing for me.
 In the Pit
First, I was not selected my senior year for the musical. I had been in the all-school musical the three years prior, but not in my senior year. I had my “one line,” as a junior, and was hoping this would be the year out of the chorus. There was NO chorus in the musical my senior year, so I did not get a part and I was not in the show. Being a musical theater person this is devastating, since the summer before I decided that music was my field. I really don’t know how it happened, but Mr. Spreister had me sit next to him in the pit and do to cues for the pit orchestra. I actually felt important. Looking back I am sure it was a job that was added and no one before or after me did this job. But, while I was doing this job, I felt important. I think he knew how much I wanted to be in the show and found a place for me.
Independent Study
Since music was to be my field, I had taken music theory my junior year and was planning on taking a second year of music theory, however, not enough students signed up, so the class was not offered. So, instead I took a fourth year of Math. It was completely over my head, so I dropped it mid-year. I asked Mr. Spriester if I could take an independent study on music theory, of course he said “yes.” I had seventh period free and so did he, so we set up a weekly appointment. The year before we analyzed about 10 of Bach’s motets. I would finish the book of 200 and study Grout’s “History of Music.” I was a duck in water, I swam! I loved the independence of my own program of study and to my surprise I loved analyzing the Bach motets, it was like a math puzzle. (I know even back then I was an “odd duck..” This independent study allowed me to be one of the top music theory students at The Ohio State University and it was the start of my love of music history. Today, my main focus in my classroom is composition and the Composer Collaboration Project has developed into an award-winning project.
 North Shore Band and Northwestern University
He didn’t talk a lot about it, but he continued to play trumpet in the North Shore Band. As a young musician, this was important to me that my own teacher was part of this outstanding performing band. This is a world renowned organization and at the time was founded and directed by John Paynter, the director of Bands at Northwestern University. We, as a high school band, also participated the yearly Northwestern Football game during half-time and would march/play on “band day.” These two things showed the character of Mr. Spriester, his musicianship and giving high school students additional opportunities outside the traditional classroom.
He also started the Deerfield Community Band. So, he also gave back to the community. I don’t really know how did it, in the fall he worked six days, (since on Saturdays we had to be at school by noon and stayed until the 5 on home games) participated in the North Shore Band, directed his own band, and even talked about additional “gigs” he had on the weekends. Oh, yes he was department chair and taught all day, had jazz bands, and was musical director for the musical. Additionally, he scripted all the marching band shows. We did a different show each home game and this was before computer programs, they were all handwritten, typed, copied, and passed out to the entire band. Today, marching bands have ONE show and the show is conceived on the computer.
In conclusion, I wasn’t the most talented student, just one of those students that we teach every day. But what Mr. Spriester was for me in high school was that he set a high bar of excellence in everything thing I did in music. He allowed me to be creative, make mistakes, and then said “yes,” if I they had an idea or suggestion. Thanks Mr. Spriester being one of best musicians, as well as teachers I had – Happy Birthday Al! Enjoy your 80th birthday!
 I recently presented “Teaching with Technology,” and “Let’s Communicate.” at at Teacher’s conference. It always comes down to the filter on the school, what is blocked and how frustrated teachers are with the lack of support of new technologies. If you have ever experienced the discussion you will realize teachers immediately tell you all the things that CANNOT do with their students.
I see this as a ban on educational resources. Some administrators and teachers are working hard ALLOW students to use all proper technologies. Luckily, many schools are adopting google docs or have a password for teachers to by-pass the filter in order to get to what they need to teach. Yes, what they NEED to teach.
I believe it is going to take at least five to ten years to radically change administrators minds because they don’t teach in this environment. Having a filter creates a false security for the administration to ensure that students are not involved with the two P’s – porn and predators. I believe the ownership of the filters should be the teacher within the classroom. When teachers find cool resources, they have to spend the time to make sure they and the students are not blocked. Think of all time that is spent on this and not on actual teaching.
But, we as digital web-based teachers must take some control ourselves. Here is what has to be done in our classroom to ensure a safe and productive work environment with computers.
- First, no more rows! Computers around the edge of the room in order for YOU and the STUDENTS to view EVERYONE’S computer. You must have the screens facing you NOT the student. I know this is a radical idea. But, I have this in my classroom and amazing things have occurred. Students look at everyone else’s computer plus, it is easy for them to ask questions with other students. Also, I can easily get the the student’s computer to help. Finally, it is a safety issue, no more are there cords on the floor, they are plugged directly into the wall.
- Second, empower students to help. Students are a great resource. They know how to navigate around websites and we have really done a good job in teaching internet safety.
As we move more and more into videos, blogs, websites, and all web 2.0 technologies, this is going to be a social issue. Schools that have a “high” filter will be behind and the more “liberal” environment of empowering of teachers will have their students far ahead in both knowledge and 21st century skills.
Classroom Management is the most important aspect of teaching and usually is the least discussed with educators. A positive classroom is the key of success. So how do you have these two worlds work together? By having lots of discipline and lots of laughs. A teacher can have all the knowledge and by not handling the individual behavior issues, the lesson is a failure.
I start the year with going over the rules (an earlier blogpost) Brenda and I just recently had one of our podcasts concerning how important “respect” is within the classroom. Once you have established a strong presence in the classroom, here are some tips I use that helps me get the most out of all my students in class.
1. Know Your Standard, Keep it Personal and Individual
Have a standard of what you expect before the lesson begins. The moment ANY student crosses the line, they are the ONE that is disciplined. I never discipline an entire class, only individuals. If you have the entire class stay after, it sets up the one or two students that really got the class in trouble, you will pay for this for many months down the line.
2. See Me After School for ONE Minute
Upon “getting in trouble,” I have the student stay after school for ONE minute. Yes. one minute. I want the behavior to change and it gives me an opportunity to talk to the student privately.
3. Ten minutes, Just Owe Me Before the END of the Quarter
If the behavior has continued and more action needs to be taken, the student owes me ten minutes, but due before the end of the quarter or I put a hold on the report card. Many of my students have after school activities or commitments. Additionally, there are days I cannot stay after as well. Plus, making the student stay after without contacting parents can be problematic. It empowers the student to make a choice of when to make up the time.
4. Tell Me What You Did Wrong, then CHANGE
Many times the students really doesn’t know what they did wrong. I want the words to come from them, not a lecture from me, so I ask directly what they did wrong. Then my next comment is “Can you put this in your brain and change?” Yes, they can! is us usual response.
5. Get Out of Jail FREE!
Ok, so you have a student that has to see you after class, then all of sudden, they help out a student or they offer an amazing idea. I immediately praise the student and the “after school” talking is erased!
6. NO ONE Stays After School for Gum
I do not keep anyone after school for gum. I just ask the student to spit out the gum, if I see the gum again – they owe me time for LYING.
7. Humor
I keep the humor going and use it a lot within the class. Doing the opposite of what the student expects and making jokes helps the overall climate in the classroom.
8. Keep is Private
I pride myself in saying that the music classroom is the most “emotionally” friendly room in the school. If there is a behavior issue I ALWAYS talk individually to the student never embarrassing them in front of the class. The simple whisper in the ear or a quiet talk in the hall goes a very long way.
In Conclusion
The common thread is how individual and personal behavior issues are. Some students need that simple “hello” as they enter the class. Knowing what they are interested in and being interested in their lives is their personality and makes them the person they are. Of course, I do let them in on my world of Ohio State Football
making sure the Michigan School song is NEVER sung in my class. That’s one of my standards and yes, you CAN stay after school for that!
 When I got the call from Vinne Vrotny about the possibility of presenting with his wife, Carol, I jumped at the chance. I love to collaborative and learn from others. She is another music teacher that embraces music technology, plus she recently had a lab put into her classroom. My passion is to enhance music education past the performing arts and into the creative arts, by having students create music, compose music, and use music in all multi-media projects. Carol and I share the same dream. The K12 Online Conference is a perfect fit through its innovative and far-reaching aspect of moving education forward. Many people think just because it is online that is only for advanced techies, it is not! It has something for the very basic techie to the advanced techhead. It bridges the gab to those who want to learn and see what is out there to those us who use technology in all aspects of our teaching.
 This conference has an amazing list of presenters that spans the globe. We were quite humbled by being accepted into this company of amazing educators. When I talked to Carol (on the phone) we both were so gitty, but realized the real work is ahead of us. We want other educators to see the magic that comes and is experienced within our music classrooms using the new model of music education of creating and composing.
K12 Online Conference Link
One of the first days in the lab, I set the ground rules as to showing and sharing. Students are ALLOWED to go from computer to computer, interact, and discuss at anytime. Since my computers are around the room, with the screens FACING each other, EVERYONE can see what is going on, on EVERYONE’S computer. There are NO rows. So, if the students sees something on a screen that they are interested in, they can immediately go to that person and ask THE question “How did you do that?” There is constant feedback as to any file, composition, or movie before any full presentation to the class. Students can FAIL and recreate any project given the immediate feedback and responses. With this constant reworking of files, students become extremely innovative and stretch their creative juices.
Students are so conditioned to stay in their seats, that in the beginning the ask permission to get up. They quickly realize that I have empowered them to direct the class as to when to work, listen, comment. Amazingly, their own work becomes increasingly more important. They want to work harder, make more innovative projects and see the class as a breeding ground of incredible projects. Many times they COME to class with a file they have created at home. Recently, I had a seventh grader create an amazing movie. I immediately posted it and now the comments are pouring in. He saw one of the videos in class and decided to try one himself.
“I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.” Thomas Edison
It can get loud and busy, with all the walking around and of course you have to monitor it, but as the class develops, the behavior problems are less and less to the point of a total work zone.
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