Our first project was an anthropological study about the technology culture at one of my host schools. Secondly, I documented the process of creating a digital story and reflection about my two loves; teaching music and running. Finally, throughout the semester I participated in an online community of my choice, the American String Teachers Association (ASTA). I have been a member of ASTA since I began my undergraduate in Fairbanks, Alaska. I even got the opportunity to travel to an ASTA conference with fellow music educators in 2013.
For my Individualized Learning Project (ILP), I made use of Finale and SmartMusic to transcribe two Alaskan folk songs, to teach first grade students at Riverbend Elementary school. One of the most challenging and rewarding aspects of this course has been creating a professional e-Portfolio. This has been a wonderful learning experiences which has given me the opportunity to share my experiences as an MAT student, music teacher and artist in the community of Juneau, Alaska.
The integration of technology
in my student teaching:
What is most important to me is that technology is relevant to our students' lives. Therefore, it engages the students in meaningful learning. The integration of technology and music education is a winning combination because it makes learning flexible to a diverse body of students, all of whom have different learning profiles. In my student teaching I use programs and websites including an online metronomes, Garage Band, SmartMusic, Finale, iMovie, iTunes and Apple TV, on a daily basis. As a masters student, my technology education course has taught me something surprising: the use of technology particularly with digital storytelling can be an empowering experience. I look forward to further developing my skills at integrating technology into the classroom because I am interested in the effect that technology has on student accomplishment and engagement.
I have already put my digital storytelling skills to use with the creation of this advertisement for ornaments that I made to help fundraise for JAMM.