I have listened quietly, then asked the question, “How will the specials (music, art, and PE) be assessed? Then there is a stare and “Yes, all students will be evaluated the same way, through testing and assessments.” They were not talking about performance evaluations, but paper/pencil tests.

Assessing the arts through testing? The funny thing is we ALREADY have performance evaluation in specials. Students perform music, create artwork, and physically perform in PE. But, now we are in the world of ONE shoe fits all. Test every subject. I see this as another way to limit the specials, because there is the a push to teach more academics. The specials are under attack across many districts, with the specials being cut.

So, I have a radical idea! Let’s do it! Let’s cut the specials completely out of the schools, eliminate the music, art, and PE classes. School will only be for learning the five subjects: Math, Reading/Writing, Social Studies, Science, and Foreign Language. The “breaks” the teachers have will be for study hall, so students can study more on the five subjects. Additionally, art and music won’t be used in any of the subjects. No multi-media projects. No music in the hallways, for we need the students to learn the five subjects.

It also means no art in any stories; students will only be allowed to write their stories and compositions. No acting out any stories, again, let the students write more. There will be no music performances and no teams. No band, orchestra, or chorus and no musical theater. Get rid of all sports. Students need to study those five subjects, so after school would be for studying, not playing on a team or rehearsing for a concert.

There will be no art work in the hallways, paint all the walls white. This is let the student focus more on learning. Didn’t you hear we have a serious problem in our schools today, students aren’t learning as much as they used to, so we need to teach more.

As adults, we need to model this behavior and eliminate art, music, and PE from our daily living. The adult population needs to study and no more attendance at music concerts, art museums, and no working out. Let’s get rid of all professional sports. We need to model learning, so all adults need read, write, and study math.

The funny thing about this is that some people think I am serious and really see that this might work, so we can educate our children today. The specials are the ONE place where testing and evaluating performance is part of the subject. The arts and sports are all about rigor and demanding excellence. We need more arts-related subjects in the schools with the students creating and developing their artistic voice. It is the place where every student can soar. It is also the place where innovation and creativity are heralded and allowed to grow freely.

The specials are special. By placing limits and making them the same as the academics cheapens them and stunts growth. We should be allowed to create our own assessments. Yes, we need a literate society, but not having an artistic and physically fit society is much worse.

Look for my next post, “How to Win the Golden Ticket in Life”

I remember those “memos” I would get in my school snail-mail box. Many teachers would read in disgust in why the sender wouldn’t come and talk, instead of write a memo. I also remember those “Let’s Chat,” signed by my principal. He wanted to TALK to me in person, no email. Yes, he personalized his discussions.

Today we communicate more and talk less. We communicate daily with email, voice mail, and texting. It is almost at a point of spam with people we know professionally. We have really cut down on calling on the phone or talking personally to individual. Relationships are NOT developed on a one-way communication of email, voicemail and texting. They are enhanced. You must talk on the phone or in person to really develop a relationship. Talking is a give and take, sorta a series of emails all in one. After the point has been agreed upon, an email to remind or keep a digital file of the meeting is appropriate.

The more we personalize our discussions, the more others will listen. Yes, it takes time to talk to the individuals on a personal level. But, you can personalize the discussion to meet the needs of you and the individual. In all actuality, it might be faster. Those who have a hard time talking on the hard issues are the ones who have a problem with this. They like to “communicate” their viewpoints and really not “talk” about the issue. They want to “communicate” to the group in a “sit and get,”  model, with an “I’m in charge” mentality. Today’s education is interactive, collaborative, and one-to-one, not pushing the information on others.

Dates and events should be posted, not sent by email. There are calendars for that, Google cal and iCal are good examples of subscribing to calendar that is up-to-date.

If you are at a meeting or giving a presentation and no questions are asked, then no interaction is expected and you are not really talking to your audience. Yes, groups can be large, but the feedback from others is more important, so to personalize the message.

I make it a point to call or talk to parents and students whenever I can. If a parent or student does have a concern and emails or voicemails me, I talk to the parent and student about the concern, I personalize the discussion, because so many times it was communication issue.

But, all of this takes time. Musicians and artists totally understand this. We keep it secret as to how long it takes us to make our arty stuff, really excellent. We are embarrassed that some of the arts we do takes so much time from us. The famous quote “practice makes perfect,” is a battle cry for everyone in the arts.

So, when the days the arts are taught are cut, or decided that less time is needed, it shows how many do not understand the arts. They only see the final product, they don’t see the hard work, the endless nights, the thought of how to create, or the time spent starting over.

Just yesterday while rehearsing the fourth grade show, a typical fourth grader, concerned where to stand and that the microphone was up too high. Also, he said “Mrs. Broos, it doesn’t make sense that I am on stage for those lines, I should be backstage then.” I know those are simple comments, but when students take the time for detail to advance the perfection of a final project, that is when I feel I have taught the value of the arts.

It all takes time, you can’t have arts classes ten or twelve times a year to get that feeling. Arts are about digging deep to feelings and expressing those feeling to others, using the last 10% to move from good to fabulous.

Illinois Education and Technology Conference in Springfield, IL

As we move more and more into more interesting tools, websites, and changing our teaching methods, the need to mentor those who are just beginning to use these tools such as new teachers and administrators is becoming a greater need.

Of course, it is “ALL ABOUT ME!” So, I will start with the f2f contact I got. Meeting with others and discussing what works and what does not work is an integral part of any conference. We all are struggling with those who are still in the dark with infusing curriculum with technology, some are other teachers, some are administrators. I do not have a “magic wand” that can change these people into completely changing how they “do business,” but first I have been rethinking how we conduct conferences, but that is a completely different blogpost.

Michele Widdes, (SRS 8th grade LA Teacher) Presenting at the poster session

I feel the need to mentor more and more.  That is why at the Illinois Education Technology Conference this week in Springfield, Illinois, I encouraged two of my colleagues to participate in a poster session and presentation. They were quite nervous, but I told them they had much to share and I would be the tech support.  After the two events, one poster and one presentation,  they really enjoyed the experience and learned so much from the other presenters.

On to the meat of the conference and the cool things I learned.

1. Keeping track of assignments

http://soshiku.com/

Online assignment notebook, save documents, share assignments with other, and a calendar.  Many college students are using this. I am going to “beta” test this some of my students, however they have to be on the network and have internet connection.

2. Online conferencing

http://www.bigbluebutton.org/

An excellent free, open source alternative to Skype and Elluminiate. This looks really cool. I wanted to start online learning with some of my gifted and talented students and parents, this might be the ticket. Plus, it’s free. I have to see if you can archive the chat. Still come testing to be done.

3. Pete Powerpoint

http://www.pppst.com/

Downloadable PowerPoints. You can save it as a copy, personalize the PowerPoint for classroom use.

4. Stop PowerPoint Paranoia – Annette Lamb

http://eduscapes.com/sessions/pop

A wonderful presentation that got me thinking about HOW we assign projects and the end result we want. You could spend DAYS looking at all the information and links here.

Terri Zazove, (SRS Gifted Teacher) Presenting Book Trailers

5. Book Trailers

http://musictechie.pbworks.com/w/page/32772360/Book-Trailers

This was Terri Zazove’s presentation about doing Book Trailer with the fifth graders and student examples.

Overall, I throughly enjoyed the personal interaction I had with other “techies,” and the colleagues that attended with me. The four hours down to Springfield and back created a stronger bond with the three of us and it can only help the collaborative projects we create in the future.

Rule 1

Must use Google docs all information is on the doc. NO emails with attachments. Google cal is also a must.

Rule 2

Must have wiki to post current information and contact information. Again, email is dead. The only email I should receive is a personal email concerning a topic that shouldn’t be discussed on the wiki or google doc. Know how to skype or other forms of online communication.

Rule 3

“Weed and feed” the web 2.0 information. I cannot be the only one contributing to the documents. If I am the only one posting and commenting it really isn’t working.

Rule 4

If I see that the rules aren’t being followed, be aware that I will probably not be a part of your organization. You need to disband and learn the tools that work, your organization or committee is going to die since you are not using “best practice.” I suggest that you “get with the program.” Your energy should be to develop your own PLN, not run an organization or committee. Work on skills, then contact me.

I am sorry to be so harsh, but these technologies have to be infused within the organization or committee work in order for me to take part. These are my rules, any thoughts?

I have presented this topic many times and even written an article about it. GarageBand is part of iLife program on the Mac (Yes, only Apple)

It seems odd that I have been teaching GarageBand for eight years and still people don’t really know how to compose using this program, or some of the compositions are really “bad.” Now with Aviary, an online GarageBand program, the process of composition MUST be addressed in our high school music theory classes to college-level composition classes. I was invited by VanderCook College of Music to conduct a weekend class for educators to learn how to compose using loops. They will also post and comment on each others compositions.

The composition process, using GarageBand, is different from ANY music theory or composition class taught in college. The wisdom of form, instrumentation, and the I, IV, V chords are out the window! Trying to put the “old” methods of composition into a “new” program doesn’t work. If you would like to read more how to compose using loops here is my wiki with powerpoint, pdf’s, and the entire process. Of course, these are my thoughts.

http://musictechie.pbworks.com/GarageBand,-not-GarbageBand

Or, you could join me on October 30/31 at VanderCook College of Music in Chicago. (8-5 on October 30 and 8-1:30 on October 31) I will be teaching, or rather conducting a hands-on workshop for ANYONE that would like to compose. Not limited to music educators. Come and create!

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.

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 forty-five 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 forty-six, 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 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 and it 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 McLeod, the director of the Vermont MIDI Project contacted me. She needed some Sibelius (composition software) files from students. 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. McLeod 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.

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. 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 a purpose in piano and started piano again, along with drum and guitar lessons. He currently is taking composition classes.

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.

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.

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

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

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.”

On to the seesions, Dr. Neil Smith, Technology chair, put together a wonderful selection of presentations. Plus, he really pushed for internet access, as well as tables, and lots of extension cords with strips. WOW, the buzz was more people will consider bring their laptops to the sessions.

Brenda Muench

• http://techtempo.com/?p=381
• Brenda is one of my closest friends and we met years ago at IMEA. She is one of the reasons I have learned so much, she is my “tech buddy.” You have to have a tech buddy to test out new technologies and ask questions about stuff. Her entire presentation is on her blogsite.
• Take-away http://wallwisher.com/I have seen this before and never used it. I loved how Brenda integrated it into her presentation. So, of course upon my return I set up a “wall” for all my classes. Tip: have each class have a different color so you know immediately that students are on the wrong wall. Second Tip: Label your wall by class AND year.

Carol Broos

• Here is my entire presentation – Google Me!

Dr. Charles Menghini, Sustaining the Passion

• http://cmenghini.wordpress.com/whos-charlie-menghini/
• “Charlie,” is the President of VanderCook College of Music in Chicago. If you ever get to  hear him speak, run, run fast to hear him. His little sayings and stories concerning teaching, music, and life really hit home. His mentor and best friend is “Dr. Tim”  Lautzenheiser. He is also amazing. If educators really follow their wisdom, we would move mountains. What is so cool, is in the audience were beginning teachers, teachers in the prime of their experience, and those at the retirement phase. He reached all of them and brought humor to all.
• Take-away His “sayings” are quite timeless

7. Success lies in our ability to sustain..to keep the passion alive.

10.Make people feel special.

11.People want…AFFIRMATION, INSPIRATION and INFORMATION

12.Be special by not being special.

18.People don’t get burned out, they just forget to refuel.

35.Change is immediate…growth takes time.

36.Most overnight sensations take 10 to 15 years.

Lori McCaskey and Debby Kanyo

• http://mrskanyosspot.blogspot.com/
• I also met Lori and Debby at an IMEA conference years ago. Then two years ago we both went to Vermont to study the “Vermont MIDI Project” together.  I love her saying “If I can do it, you can do it, I didn’t know how to do Powerpoint.” Then Debby decided to write a grant and get a lab in her school. three grants later, she has been the force behind four labs within her school-district and Lori is her counterpart in the elementary. They showed how they had limited tech skills and pushed ahead. Their program is much like mine, infused with performance and technology.
• Take-away http://www.incredibox.fr/ A really cool website that you create music, given the loops. It is  an online application that offers you to discover the musical universe of “The Incredible Polo,” handling a range of “human beat-box” sounds created by the artist.

Kyle Freesen

• http://virtualpodium.blogspot.com/
• I met Kyle for the first time at this conference. He has started a blog for his band, “The Virtual Podium.” He had many good points and walked the “newbies,” through setting up a blog.  After Kyle saw my presentation about Google forms, he went ahead and used it in his presentation! He’s on twitter as well, so I can follow his journey of technology from a band director.
• Take-away “Newbies, are important as Techies.” It reminds me that “newbies” need to feel that all this “tech stuff” is not for the techies. Although I didn’t take any new thing away, I added a music educator to my PLN, which is more valuable!

Jazz Night

On Friday night, the all-state jazz band performs. Wow is my only term. The students are incredible with their passion and talent.

There is also the traditional nights of connecting with the various eating establishments. As always, there are tables and tables of musicians, young and old. Being able to connect with the rest of the music department was a plus as well, since every music teacher from Sunset Ridge attended the conference.