I am around two groups of educators. Those who are extremely technical and those who chose not to. The divide is getting greater and greater. As I approach the fifth anniversary of my website www.carolbroos.com I find it amazing that others have not jumped at the idea to do web 2.0 with their students and continue to use the same tools as they did as a child: paper tests and planners.  Some teachers have chosen to ignore that technology even exists in education. But, they use email, DVR’s, and cell phones. So, when they attack me on having the “techie” gene, I am going to comment back that maybe writing a letter would be better than email, and I have some VHS tapes at home they can use to tape their shows.

In any other part of education if a teacher would say “I don’t read,” or “I’m not interested,” people would wonder why they are a teacher. For to be a teacher is to have that thirst of knowledge. To be an effective teacher you need to be aware of how your students live life. The comment, “They are going to have to learn…” is no longer the battle cry, The battle cry is how are we preparing and educating students on how to teach themselves. For many of the jobs they are going to have may have not been invented yet. They need to learn how to problem-solve issues, learn to ask other for help and  create projects that teach others what they have learned. Many teachers are still teaching facts and figures that can easily be googled, then testing on memorization of facts.

The most engaged students I have in my music classroom are the ones that have learned how to teach themselves. My students are more concerned about getting their “work” completed and creating amazing musical projects. Isn’t that what we want? To only learn from me is quite limiting, but to learn from others across the globe is empowering. There are no walls of knowledge in my classroom. For technology is much like a musical instrument, the more you practice the better you get. My students understand how to practice technology and how to learn from others across the globe.

Some of these educator’s excuses are “I want my students to interact and not be in front of a screen.” or “I want my students to play outside and enjoy nature.” It just shows me how little they know about technology. It is NOT just sitting in front of a screen and there are amazing outdoor activities that students can participate in that use technology. Ever heard of GPS, ah right, most of these teachers use it in their car. They simply do not want to learn themselves.

So, as I begin my thirty-third year of teaching I am no longer going to accept the comment “I’m not techie,” from teachers, administration, or parents. It is no longer an excuse. My incoming fourth graders were all born in the 21st century. That is the reason.

Tags: 21stcenturyskills., Carol Broos, CarolBroos, Technology

I composed ZERO songs in high school and only composed ONE song in college. The emphasis was on playing or singing the compositions/songs with a director or conductor. The only creativity was the practice order of the director, no creativity on my part, it really wasn’t discussed. If you wanted to be creative, learn jazz. It wasn’t until I was involved with the “Vermont MIDI Project” that I realized I could and should compose.

I have always felt that composing was way too difficult and involved. Why, because my first exposure was music theory. I learned “how” music works before I experimented with  making melodies. All those intervals and the I, IV, V chord structure. Music theory was the starting and ending point, not the simplicity of melodies and chords. There was no freedom, just music theory; if you follow the rules, then you are composing like a musician. The only problem, my compositions were very programmed, uncreative, and unemotional. Not very inspiring, no wonder I felt I could never compose, it wasn’t my voice, my creation or passion.

That has completely changed…

I can remember my first day sitting in the room with all those composers in Vermont. I was excited my students were going to be a part of these wonderful composing tool, l didn’t realize that I was going to have to compose as well! I sat there for 45 minutes, I managed to get THREE notes on the staff. I was so stressed out and completely overwhelmed. In all my years of music education at the age of 46, no one had let me just compose, with no direction, but just compose, with no rules, no form, just make it sound good TO ME.  The freedom was so powerful. Over the course of the week, I composed faster and faster and with passion.

So, here I am years later, composing is the central most part of what I teach to my students. It is creative and I feel the way ALL music education should be taught. I just let my students compose and let them listen to sounds and notes. As they progress they slowly add chords and learn about theory, so music theory is NOT THE MAIN INGREDIENT. Creating songs with purpose and making music is the main thread. Making is sound good TO ME.

I know this is the way that music should be created. Just ask any of my students from the non-musicians to the students with years of piano. They all are on the same journey,   just on different locations on the journey. The delight of seeing the students share and listen never gets old within the music classroom.

There are always those students that rise to the top, I want to talk about three such students. They have moved me to tears and are the reason I continue to pursue teaching composition within my classroom.

First, a little over a year ago while I was on sabbatical, Sandi MacLeod, the director of the Vermont MIDI Project contacted me. She needed some Sibelius (composition software) files from students. I tell my fourth graders they have to be able to PLAY the song they compose. Well, she needed the files presto, so I told the students, “Just compose anything you can, I need it in one week.” One week passed. Jack was concerned he couldn’t play the song. I replied “Dr. MacLeod just need some files, you don’t have to play it!”  He had managed to have nine different instruments in his “An Adventure.” It was twenty-six pages long. As I began to listen, I was overcome and sat down on the rug and cried. Yes, cried, for I realized I had a “Mozart” in the making. To make a long story short, “An Adventure,” was submitted to MENC/NSBE which won runner-up in the elementary division. He soon will be studying composition privately because composing has become his passion. Here is his mp3 file, if you cannot access the Sibelius online version.

The second student had been a part of the Vermont MIDI Project in fifth grade and was going to another school the next year. He and his parents wanted to continue his music composing so we set up a skype conference on Sunday nights. Well, out of that came his website. http://www.cmusicmaker.com/ Clay and I would have discussions about music and how it works.  It is so amazing to see his development of his compositions. He has inspired me to compose more and be a better listener, musician, and a better teacher. As I talked about music theory and music form, he was quite interested how music works. He slowly began to study music theory, using musictheory.net,  but still experimenting with sounds. When he got his keyboard hooked up to his computer, he experimented more with jazz and various chord progressions. At the start of sixth grade, he had quit piano lessons and was taking drum lessons. Soon he began to see purpose in piano and started piano again, along with drum and guitar lessons. He currently is taking composition classes as well.

Finally, I had a fourth grader, Henri, he slowly became fascinated with GarageBand and composing. One day he knocked on my door and a flash-drive in his hand. To see the excitement of sharing his file and the pride of accomplishment of his composition was my joy of the day. He expressed his love of music and how much he enjoys creating and being in the MIDI lab, and has carried that on at home by composing every day. Here is major cool, his GarageBand composition.

These three students have attacked composing quite different ways. Jack sees music as various melodies, Clay see music as chords and rhythm, and Henri sees music as a release. That is also the beauty of allowing students to find their voice and create.

I personally want to thank the parents for allow them to pursue their creativity. Who knows where it may take them. Let the students compose, it has purpose and creates a voice.

Important links:

• Vermont MIDI Project:  http://www.vtmidi.org
• Jack’s An Adventure, mp3 file of An Adventure
• Clay’s website: http://www.cmusicmaker.com/
• Henri’s major cool

Tags: CarolBroos, Composing, GarageBand, MENC, NSBA, Sandi McLeod, Sibelius, Vermont MIDI Project

I am hosting the Music Education Blog Carnival for the month of April. Since I will be on vacation from March 26-April 3, I am asking all of you who wish to submit please do it by Thursday, March 25, Midnight CDT.  “This carnival hopes to provide a “sounding board” and venue for publication for the Music Education Related Bloggers. Anyone who is writing about topics that are directly related to musicians, music performance, music education, or music technology are welcome to be part of this carnival.” taken from Dr. Pisano’s website.

Here is last month’s edition http://mustech.net/2010/03/01/welcome-to-the-march-2010-edition-of on Dr. Joseph Pisano’s site of mustech.net

Hopefully, many of you will fill inspired to send me a link to your blog about the various aspects of music and music technology. It can be a past blogpost or a new one that you just posted.

We as music educators or musicians directly in the field should be in the business of sharing and posting. This is where we can make a great impact on our profession. Too often, in the music world, the competition can create a culture of keeping to ourselves and the “share” attitude is not even on the radar. I have found the more I share, the more I get back. So, be inspired, send me your “best”  or even most controversial blogpost concerning our field related to musicians, music performance, music education, or music technology. If you have any questions or would like more information, please contact me at beatechie@gmail.com

Tags: Carol Broos, Dr. Joseph Pisano, Music Education Blog Carnival. ME Blogs

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.”

(more…)

Tags: All-state, Brenda Muench, Carol Broos, Debby Kayno, Greg Wojcik, Illinois All-state, IMEA, Kyle Freesen, Lori McCaskey

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.

Tags: Carol Broos, CarolBroos, innovate, MIDIlab, Technology, Thoughts

A parent in my district recently sent me an article “When Computers Leave the Classroom, so does boredom” by Jeffery Young. Professors use podcasts BEFORE the lecture and require students to come prepared to discuss. He felt the collaboration and discussion within his lecture hall had suffered when he used technology – i.e. PowerPoints! But, sadly many think if they just stand up there and show a PowerPoint they are teaching! This is exactly the point.

He uses podcasts instead for his lectures.  He requires the student to listen to the podcast BEFORE class, so the student comes prepared to DISCUSS and ASK questions concerning the topic. Technology should ENHANCE the presentation, not BE the presentation. That is exactly what the article suggests, having more time during the “class” time for discussion.

This is how we will change education. We need to speed up the education process, not slow it down. Having the lecture as a podcast, then discussion on the topic is the first wave of the change!

Tags: CarolBroos, Jeff Young, lecture, podcasts, Powerpoints

What a great opportunity to motivate educators to develop and create web 2.0 projects. It is very easy to talk about the technologies, but I feel in order to walk the talk; I should model the projects I have used. So, for every web 2.0 application, I created something personal to me. I am giving a presentation to my Golden Apple Scholar group on Wednesday, during our reflective time.

There are always three parts to a presentation I give:

• Keynote (PowerPoint, with movies and introductions) Posted on slideshare as well.
• Google Doc Presentation of web 2.0 examples
• Internet surfing of technologies such as plurk, twitter, and possible skype calls

I always try to leave at least ten minutes for questions. I am also experimenting with polleverywhere.com so they can use their cell phones for polling. I have never had the opportunity to use this since my students are in middle school and cell connection is extremely poor, so testing this out with my group.

Hopefully, I will motivate you to create and share with your PLN (Personal Learning Network) technologies you find interesting to use. Walk to the talk and share!

Tags: Carol Broos, Golden Apple Scholars, Goldenapple, Presentation, web 2.0