Music Technology in Education

Today is the last day of the school year for me and I’m about to head off to teach seven straight weeks of technology and TI:ME courses around the country.  The end of the school year is always a busy time for me, but I always look toward what new things I’ll be able to do with my students next year, and the necessary software and harware that I’ll need to accomplish those new teaching ideas.  Thinking ahead to next year always gets me excited - it is what inspires me to keep doing what I do.  Here is my list:

1. Upgrade the lab to Sibelius 5.0.   I am really excited about the new features included with Sibelius 5.0 and I’ll certainly take advantage of the Idea Bank feature with my Young Composers Club.
2. Purchase a SmartBoard.  I’ve never taught with a SmartBoard before, but I think that it is an invaluable tool for teaching software applications and for creating class activities using a single copy of a software title.
3. Purchase the GarageBand Jam Packs.  If you’ve been using GarageBand for some time, you know that new loops are always appreciated.  I’m planning on purchasing the basic Jam Pack and the World Music Jam Pack.

I also have to set aside some funds to make repairs to the equipment that was broken during the school year.  My students are always careless with the headphones.  Koss has a fantastic lifetime warranty program that allows me to send in the broken headphones with a $6 per piece shipping and handling fee and receive a brand new set of headphones in return.  This year I’m replacing 8 sets.  I’ve already sent them in, and by August they’ll be back in my lab.  If you have Koss headphones, I strongly suggest taking advantage of this warranty - it saves tons of money.

In addition to my teaching and planning, I’ll be spending every evening this summer completing a book that I’m writing for TI:ME titled The Educators Guide to Music, Media & Copyright Law.  The book will hopefully be out in January of 2008 - stay tuned.

Thank you for reading my blog this year.  When I began back in September I didn’t think that I’d have enough material to do a daily music technology blog, but there have been many things to write about.  I don’t see myself slowing down anytime soon either!  I’m planning on continuing my daily entries this summer.  Hopefully I’ll see you at one of the many places I’ll be teaching, but if I don’t, please keep reading and commenting.  Have a productive, relaxing, and safe summer!

Best,

James