This week’s reading and lectures exposed me to an incredible amount of technology that is used to increase student learning in order to raise their performance level. It was exciting to watch online video about student and parent experience with SmartMusic, a music program that allows students to practice and give instant feedback on accurate pitch and rhythm playing.
Another online guest demonstrated Chromatik a music program that allows a teacher and student to share practice sessions with one another and provide feedback concerning one’s playing, it seems to be similar to Google drive yet completely of a music perspective. One interesting aspect to Chromatik is that students can rehearse various popular songs. This in and of itself would be motivating to many that have a natural curiosity to play the newest radio hit.
The point of these music technologies is to inspire and equip a musician to have accountable practice sessions and thus become a better performer. As a teacher it is my job to give my students as much meaningful feedback as possible in order to help them mature not only as a musician but as a person. I hope to encourage my students and provide them with enough opportunities that they develop intrinsic motivation to create great music. In my high school choral classroom I provide students with many opportunities to perform. With each performance, students collaborate and are taught by a new clinician or professional musician. They present 3 choir concerts, perform at district and state solo and ensemble, and the symphony. One of the top groups also presents the fall musical, christmas caroling, a performance at historic Holy Hill, and spring music theater nights. With each performance we reflect on what we did well and what could be improved and listen to feedback from various audience members who saw the performance.
I have not integrated SmartMusic or Chromatik in my music classroom but I would like to explore these technologies in more depth. I want to realistically look at how I can implement them into my classroom. There are so many technologies available that I want to choose well and actually provide music technologies for my students that will inspire them to practice and become better musicians and performers.
Grace,
ReplyDeleteAs an instrumentalist and an instrumental teacher, I enjoyed reading your thoughts on this week’s materials from a choral perspective. I have always used SmartMusic in an instrumental setting, but I also know that it is available for vocal students as well. Have you ever had the chance to try it with your vocal students? Maybe when I am back at my school with SmartMusic I will try the vocal setting just to check it out.
I too am also concerned with giving adequate feedback to my students. It is important to let them know where they need to improve as well as what they have done correctly and to find the right balance of positive and constructive criticism. I like that you talked about motivating the students and that Chormatik would be a great motivator because it uses familiar and popular songs. I also wrote about how the students would be much more willing to practice with songs that were exciting to them. I like that you related Chormatik to Google Drive where you can share and see things instantly. I never thought about that, but it really is very similar. Nice comparison!
I also enjoyed watching the videos about what both programs had to offer to students and parents. I thought it was really cool that the parents were interviewed in the SmartMusic video because SmartMusic is just as much for parents as it is for students. The parents of the students that use it at my school love that their children can receive feedback instantly and also receive help when they are away from their instructor. Many parents don’t know how to play instruments or don’t know how to read music, so struggle to help their children with their home practice. In this way, SmartMusic is very beneficial to parents, students, and teachers. Thanks for your post about these programs as a vocalist and choral teacher!