Digital Learning
If I were getting to select what type of technology devices I would most benefit from in my classroom I would choose a variety. I would love to have a few iPads in my classroom for different music apps that students could take turns using. There are limitations to what the iPad can do, so I think we would also benefit from having laptops in the classroom.
From the article Choosing the Right Device for Digital Learning, Bob Moore says "devices designed and intended for simple app use and content browsing on mobile web sites are not idea tools for students." An iPad may not support a task students are asked to complete due to how it is created or the operating system it uses. However, Chromebooks or laptops will not run the music apps I would like to use in my classroom like GarageBand or forScore, among others.
For a whole school or district, I don't think tablets are the way to go. They can do a lot, but teachers will not get the maximum potential they could from a different device. Moore says the best device for the classroom is a laptop. It can perform without internet connection, has the ability to instal microsoft office, and supports full range of tasks students require. My district is slowly implementing Chromebooks, but as Moore points out, they are not useful if not connected to the internet. If students do not have internet at home they may not be able to complete homework or other tasks that are required. I think Chromebooks can still be an effective tool, teachers just need to keep limited internet connection in mind while assigning projects or assignments.
Like I said, I would choose a variety of devices for my classroom. I would have laptops for students to work on collaborating through Google or working through an LMS, using web based music games, etc. I would also like to have a few iPads for students to explore creating music on an app like GarageBand or reading music on forScore. This article from the National Association for Music Education shows other ways that technology is being used in the music classroom and provides a few more apps that are compatible with iPads.
I found this article iPads or Laptops in the classroom? How to decide? by Dr. Craig Blewett very interesting. This article talked about a 'lean back' or 'lean forward' approach to technology. When you get out your computer or work at a desktop you are usually at a table and lean forward. Blewett says the user is more active with a shorter attention span. When using a lean back device like an iPad, the user is more passive, but with a longer attention span. The teacher needs to decide if they want a 'lean back' or 'lean forward' classroom atmosphere and which would best meet the needs of students. Blewett also says that when it comes to education technology, "focus on the education, not the technology, focus on training teachers not choosing devices." He believes schools should spend more time considering how technology is used and less on what technology is used.
Throughout this weeks readings I found two technology tools that I would like to implement in my classroom. The first tool I looked at was SMART exchange. My school just got interactive white boards and assess to SMART exchange last year, but teachers did not receive much training on how to use it in the classroom. I tried to play with it some, but would like to dive in more. There are several games on identifying instruments by their sound. These games are already created so I would not have to do much work to use them in my classroom! There are other games where you sort instruments into their families. This would be a great way to teach or review instruments in first, second, and even third grade. There are a lot of ways to use SMART exchange and the interactive white board to get students engaged and active in the lesson.
Another tool I would like to try is Kahoot. I have seen this used at a music conference as a review game or as a way to see students background knowledge on a certain topic. I have not been able to use this in the past due to lack of technology devices. Once we have devices available I would also like to use this tool to have students create their own questions or quizzes.
References:
Blewett, C., (2015, December 7). iPads or Laptops in the classroom? How to decide. Retrieved June 6, 2018 from http://teachernology.com/blog/ipads-or-laptps-in-the-classroom-how-to-decide
Dunn, J. (2014, August 20). How Technology Is Being Used In Music Classrooms. Retrieved June 6, 2018, from https://nafme.org/how-technology-is-being-used-in-music-classrooms/
Moore, B. (2014). Choosing the Right Device for Digital Learning.
Murray, J. (n.d.). Technology in the Classroom: 22 Must-Have Tools. Retrieved June 6, 2018, from http://www.teachhub.com/technology-classroom-22-must-have-tools
From the article Choosing the Right Device for Digital Learning, Bob Moore says "devices designed and intended for simple app use and content browsing on mobile web sites are not idea tools for students." An iPad may not support a task students are asked to complete due to how it is created or the operating system it uses. However, Chromebooks or laptops will not run the music apps I would like to use in my classroom like GarageBand or forScore, among others.
For a whole school or district, I don't think tablets are the way to go. They can do a lot, but teachers will not get the maximum potential they could from a different device. Moore says the best device for the classroom is a laptop. It can perform without internet connection, has the ability to instal microsoft office, and supports full range of tasks students require. My district is slowly implementing Chromebooks, but as Moore points out, they are not useful if not connected to the internet. If students do not have internet at home they may not be able to complete homework or other tasks that are required. I think Chromebooks can still be an effective tool, teachers just need to keep limited internet connection in mind while assigning projects or assignments.
Like I said, I would choose a variety of devices for my classroom. I would have laptops for students to work on collaborating through Google or working through an LMS, using web based music games, etc. I would also like to have a few iPads for students to explore creating music on an app like GarageBand or reading music on forScore. This article from the National Association for Music Education shows other ways that technology is being used in the music classroom and provides a few more apps that are compatible with iPads.
I found this article iPads or Laptops in the classroom? How to decide? by Dr. Craig Blewett very interesting. This article talked about a 'lean back' or 'lean forward' approach to technology. When you get out your computer or work at a desktop you are usually at a table and lean forward. Blewett says the user is more active with a shorter attention span. When using a lean back device like an iPad, the user is more passive, but with a longer attention span. The teacher needs to decide if they want a 'lean back' or 'lean forward' classroom atmosphere and which would best meet the needs of students. Blewett also says that when it comes to education technology, "focus on the education, not the technology, focus on training teachers not choosing devices." He believes schools should spend more time considering how technology is used and less on what technology is used.
Throughout this weeks readings I found two technology tools that I would like to implement in my classroom. The first tool I looked at was SMART exchange. My school just got interactive white boards and assess to SMART exchange last year, but teachers did not receive much training on how to use it in the classroom. I tried to play with it some, but would like to dive in more. There are several games on identifying instruments by their sound. These games are already created so I would not have to do much work to use them in my classroom! There are other games where you sort instruments into their families. This would be a great way to teach or review instruments in first, second, and even third grade. There are a lot of ways to use SMART exchange and the interactive white board to get students engaged and active in the lesson.
Another tool I would like to try is Kahoot. I have seen this used at a music conference as a review game or as a way to see students background knowledge on a certain topic. I have not been able to use this in the past due to lack of technology devices. Once we have devices available I would also like to use this tool to have students create their own questions or quizzes.
References:
Blewett, C., (2015, December 7). iPads or Laptops in the classroom? How to decide. Retrieved June 6, 2018 from http://teachernology.com/blog/ipads-or-laptps-in-the-classroom-how-to-decide
Dunn, J. (2014, August 20). How Technology Is Being Used In Music Classrooms. Retrieved June 6, 2018, from https://nafme.org/how-technology-is-being-used-in-music-classrooms/
Moore, B. (2014). Choosing the Right Device for Digital Learning.
Murray, J. (n.d.). Technology in the Classroom: 22 Must-Have Tools. Retrieved June 6, 2018, from http://www.teachhub.com/technology-classroom-22-must-have-tools
I love the idea of combining two kinds of technology into your music classroom. You have great purpose for both laptops and iPads. If you could only chose one, which would you choose and why? I agree that if a district but selected one device it should be laptops instead of tablets. Laptops have a lot more possibilities for online and offline use compared to tablets. I also believe that students need to practice typing skills. Typing is a 21st century skill that all students will need in future careers/communication. Laptops could offer both online and offline typing practice.
ReplyDeleteThe other part of your post that caught my eye is your discussion surrounding Kahoot!. I love Kahoot! I can't say enough wonderful things about this digital tool. I use Kahoot! in my classroom at least once a week. My students love to play a review Kahoot! on Friday afternoons. This a tool that is so easy to prepare and so easy for students to use. Kahoot! doesn't require specific, lengthy direct instruction for students to use the tool. The tool is very engaging and does provide quick formative assessment data. I highly recommend this tool in the classroom!
I was interested in reading about digital tools from a different perspective. As a first grade classroom teacher, I am unaware of the needs that a music teacher has for digital devices, apps and programs. Different devices serve different purposes, so I believe that there is not one universal “best” device. My students are 1:1 with iPads (tablets) and it is very effective. Grades K-2 at my school have iPads, while 3-5 have Chromebooks. I feel like this is a great age level transition for these devices. I’m not sure my first graders are ready for laptops yet, and the iPads provide a great size for them to carry, move around the room, use apps, etc. I don’t think that iPads would best serve all ages, though! To make it meaningful I think that different grades and subjects may need different devices. So, I agree with you when you say that it may not work for a whole school or district to be strictly tablets! I can see this especially true in your case because it seems like it wouldn’t serve your students in music the way you would want to use the tools. You also mentioned Kahoot. This is a fun app/site that my students love to use! We use it for “fun” polls/quizzes and also deeper assessments/reviews. For example, at the beginning of the year we do a ‘get to know you’ Kahoot poll that always turns out to be a good use of time. Thank you for sharing your thoughts! It sounds like you have some great ideas!
ReplyDeleteI love your blog! I am down in second, so its interesting to view things from a musical perspective. The only musical iPad app I can even think of is Garage Band! I wish I could use SmartBoards. I have NEVER used an actual SmartBoard in teaching. We have Smart Notebook, which is awesome to use and create, but next year that is also gone :( I do like that you want use Kahoot as a tool. Students always seem engaged with it. I have 2-1 iPads, so when we use it, students share. Hopefully you can get a device that works for your students soon! Good luck!
ReplyDeleteI think your idea of having several different types of devices available for classroom use is a great one. My students are 1:1 with Chromebooks but we also have a set of 7 Ipads for students to share. I really like the versatility this gives me to determine the best device to use to meet the needs of my students. Sometimes even when the same app is available on both devices it is beneficial to have both to help students who may do better on one than the other. For example, a math fact fluency app our district uses can be very challenging to manipulate on the Chromebooks for some students. Having access to this same app on the Ipad has been very beneficial to some of my students so they can get the instruction and practice through a device that better suits their learning style. I do love all of the opportunities the Chromebooks provide for students collaboration through Google and Seesaw. I really like the quote you shared about focusing on the education rather that the devices. It is so important to first consider what we are trying to teach our kids before choosing what technologies we will use to accomplish our goals.
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