Well, maybe I've saved the best for last! Since this is my blog, I've saved one of my favorite music websites of all time! It's a compilation of everything that has to do with music fit nicely into one comprehensive website. If you think that this is too good to be true, check it out! You will be pleasantly surprised!
Do you like musicology? This site has links for you. Do you like Rap music? This site has links for you. Do you enjoy composition? This site has links for you. Do you like C.P.E Bach? This site has links for you. Do you like the Cleveland Browns? This site DOES NOT have links for you. Who likes the Browns?
http://www.music-sites.net/
Friday, December 4, 2009
Friday, November 20, 2009
My PLN - Web Radio - Christmas Music
Have you been a good boy or girl this year? Are you ready for Santa Claus to come to town? Are you ready to "Deck the Halls" and "Trim your Tree with Christmas glee?" Well then, if you happen to also be someone who is constantly on your computer, boy do I have a great web site for you! Web Radio has a 24-a-day website that broadcasts all your favorite Christmas music while you work! What could be more wonderful than that?
Do you have lots of bills to pay online? Are you going to be doing a lot of on-line shopping? Do you have lots of homework for MUED 320/420 when you should be sharing the holidays with your family? Then please discover the joy of Web Radio, and go listen to Christmas music around the clock!
Merry Christmas!
http://www.web-radio.com/christmas/
Do you have lots of bills to pay online? Are you going to be doing a lot of on-line shopping? Do you have lots of homework for MUED 320/420 when you should be sharing the holidays with your family? Then please discover the joy of Web Radio, and go listen to Christmas music around the clock!
Merry Christmas!
http://www.web-radio.com/christmas/
Assisted Technology
Right from the beginning of this article, I was impressed with all the possibilities that technology can give us in life if we take advantage of all that is out there. I was especially impressed with the technology that is available to the handicapped, whether or not their challenges be physical or mental. I have to say that the video about the boy in the wheelchair made me really sad. I'm sorry, that was my honest first reaction. Even though the technology offered to him was wonderful, it looked like somewhat of a humiliating situation. But then, remembering that this was a growing experience for him, I learned to appreciate the good qualities of what was going on. He was obviously doing the very best he could to express himself, and this should always be valued in cultures across the world. It's unfortunate I think that too many people would not take something like this seriously. I know I would, but it would have to take a mature audience. I think I mostly worry about the reactions of people in high school and middle school. Would they be mature enough to handle this situation? One would hope so.
This also reminded me of "Mr. Holland's Opus," where Mr. Holland's son was born deaf. I remember that in the movie, Mr. Holland used light technology to express the music to his deaf son. I think that technology like this should be made available to people with special handicaps everywhere.
Whenever we can help people that are disabled learn and have moving experiences in the arts, it is a special bonus. How lucky we are that we live in a day and age when such technology already exists, or is in the process of developing. My father used to work for a company that helped people with scoliosis and other spinal disorders. It was amazing what they were able to do for the patient - they made a special chair with braces attached all over it to "sit the people up" so they wouldn't lay down and decay. It gave meaning to their lives and helped them to enjoy experiences that otherwise they could only dream about. My dad's job always inspired me, and I know that we can do the same thing by bringing this technology to the arts.
This also reminded me of "Mr. Holland's Opus," where Mr. Holland's son was born deaf. I remember that in the movie, Mr. Holland used light technology to express the music to his deaf son. I think that technology like this should be made available to people with special handicaps everywhere.
Whenever we can help people that are disabled learn and have moving experiences in the arts, it is a special bonus. How lucky we are that we live in a day and age when such technology already exists, or is in the process of developing. My father used to work for a company that helped people with scoliosis and other spinal disorders. It was amazing what they were able to do for the patient - they made a special chair with braces attached all over it to "sit the people up" so they wouldn't lay down and decay. It gave meaning to their lives and helped them to enjoy experiences that otherwise they could only dream about. My dad's job always inspired me, and I know that we can do the same thing by bringing this technology to the arts.
Friday, November 13, 2009
My PLN - The Mahler Archives
So, are you like me? Do you think that Gustav Mahler was the best composer ever to live? Do you think that his music will be played for time and all eternity? Me too!
So you ask, where can I go on the web to download some of the best talks given on this great composer and his works? Well the answer to this is quite simple. I would tell you to go to "The Mahler Archives." Maintained by the Chicago Mahlerites and the Colorado Mahlerfest, this is a fantastic site dedicated to scholarly writings about all aspects of Mahler's life and music. It also includes other things, like pictures, abstracts of letters, etc...
So what are you waiting for? Check out "The Mahler Archives" before you don't have any more time left!
http://www.mahlerarchives.net
So you ask, where can I go on the web to download some of the best talks given on this great composer and his works? Well the answer to this is quite simple. I would tell you to go to "The Mahler Archives." Maintained by the Chicago Mahlerites and the Colorado Mahlerfest, this is a fantastic site dedicated to scholarly writings about all aspects of Mahler's life and music. It also includes other things, like pictures, abstracts of letters, etc...
So what are you waiting for? Check out "The Mahler Archives" before you don't have any more time left!
http://www.mahlerarchives.net
Digital Citizen, Digital Photography, Gimp
I think the world has long been waiting for an article like "Digital Citizen" to come out. With changes in technology across the world mean wonderful improvements across society. However, with wonderful improvements also come some unwanted changes. As the world changes, we need to keep up with it. And being in the digital age is no excuse for bad behavior to occur with new technology.
This article talked about harmful situations like cheating on a test or texting during class, and other equally inappropriate things. As an educator in the 21st Century, it will become more important to acquaint ourselves with what is being used by the general population. Cell phones are now not only popular for calling and texting, but also for use with the internet. This has many wonderful implications, but students with such technology siting in a classroom may have too many distractions when it comes to learning. As a teacher, I cannot and willnot tolerate texting in class. Nor will I allow cheating, or forms of bad communication. I certainly think that we need to be aware of even more dangerous activities like "sexting," where sexual harrassment can lead into lawsuits and expulsion of teachers and students alike. The more technology increases and we use it in the classroom, the more potential we have to teach students in new, envigorating ways. However, we must be reminded that this technology is a privilegde, and misusing it would make it a double-edged sword.
I also loved the article on "Digital Photography." I loved it very much because I am still one of those kids living in the 90s without a digital camera. That's right! I do not yet own a digital camera, nor do I have any desire to go out and buy one. But that's not to say that I don't think that the digital technology associated with pictures isn't incredible! My brother has owned his own digital camera from the very begining, and I've always been impressed with everything he's been able to do with it. He loves "Apple" computers, and has been using "Macbooks" all throughout his life - more than he reads regular books. I was always impressed with his creations, but scared off by how expensive Adobe Photophop was. I couldn't believe it! But now, with programs such as Gimp and others, we are able to do much of the same that we would on Adobe Photoshop. I have limited experience with Gimp, but as I get into digital camera technology, I will look forward to using such a neat program.
Finally, in this day and age it is very important that we constantly review the rules of publishing information, whether it is on or off the internet. I have seen many careers come to an end with the pitfalls of plagarism and the like, so I have always been extra careful to list my sources, whatever the project may be. Because the internet is still new to some people, we have to constantly educate those who are not as familiar with it as we are. New books need to be written. It is time that as we are in the digital age, we become fully acountable in every aspect of what we do.
This article talked about harmful situations like cheating on a test or texting during class, and other equally inappropriate things. As an educator in the 21st Century, it will become more important to acquaint ourselves with what is being used by the general population. Cell phones are now not only popular for calling and texting, but also for use with the internet. This has many wonderful implications, but students with such technology siting in a classroom may have too many distractions when it comes to learning. As a teacher, I cannot and willnot tolerate texting in class. Nor will I allow cheating, or forms of bad communication. I certainly think that we need to be aware of even more dangerous activities like "sexting," where sexual harrassment can lead into lawsuits and expulsion of teachers and students alike. The more technology increases and we use it in the classroom, the more potential we have to teach students in new, envigorating ways. However, we must be reminded that this technology is a privilegde, and misusing it would make it a double-edged sword.
I also loved the article on "Digital Photography." I loved it very much because I am still one of those kids living in the 90s without a digital camera. That's right! I do not yet own a digital camera, nor do I have any desire to go out and buy one. But that's not to say that I don't think that the digital technology associated with pictures isn't incredible! My brother has owned his own digital camera from the very begining, and I've always been impressed with everything he's been able to do with it. He loves "Apple" computers, and has been using "Macbooks" all throughout his life - more than he reads regular books. I was always impressed with his creations, but scared off by how expensive Adobe Photophop was. I couldn't believe it! But now, with programs such as Gimp and others, we are able to do much of the same that we would on Adobe Photoshop. I have limited experience with Gimp, but as I get into digital camera technology, I will look forward to using such a neat program.
Finally, in this day and age it is very important that we constantly review the rules of publishing information, whether it is on or off the internet. I have seen many careers come to an end with the pitfalls of plagarism and the like, so I have always been extra careful to list my sources, whatever the project may be. Because the internet is still new to some people, we have to constantly educate those who are not as familiar with it as we are. New books need to be written. It is time that as we are in the digital age, we become fully acountable in every aspect of what we do.
Friday, November 6, 2009
My PLN - Classical.Net
This is an amazing website that gives the biographies and discographies of all the major classical composers since before the time of Bach. It is a wonderful resource to go to if you want to learn more about a specific composer, his history, and his compositional output. I don't agree with all of the suggested discography, but I will admit that most of the recordings suggested are a good starting point for most people learning about classical music.
This is a perfect website for younger students to start learning about a great array of composers, and their most famous compositions. I definitely wish I had something like this growing up! A 2nd or 3rd grader could easily reference this website in a book report or school project. They could learn about music history, and get a great start on all the amazing music in the world.
So, check it out!
http://www.classical.net
This is a perfect website for younger students to start learning about a great array of composers, and their most famous compositions. I definitely wish I had something like this growing up! A 2nd or 3rd grader could easily reference this website in a book report or school project. They could learn about music history, and get a great start on all the amazing music in the world.
So, check it out!
http://www.classical.net
Digitial Natives - Digital Immigants - Other Articles
I personally loved the article on Digital Natives and Digital Immigrants. The author seemed to group everyone in the world into one of these two categories. I'm not so sure about myself, however. I want to say that somehow I grew up in the right place at the right time where I was caught in the middle. For a large portion of my life, there was no internet (it did exist, but nobody knew about it). However, when I was in 8th grade passing over to my Freshman year of high school, the internet was all the rage. With American On-Line, Netscape, and popular websites like "Yahoo," we were all excited to get online and get something called "electronic mail." I remember exactly when this happened, and as I have commented many times before, I grabbed on to this new technology. I learned HTML and was quickly making websites. Soon, email became my normal mode of conversation and correspondence.
From this point in my life onward, I lived in a digital world. In fact if I think very hard back on the fact, I cannot remember a time in my life where the internet wasn't important. Now, part of this has to do with the internet coming of age at precisely the time where I became aware of the world around me. But somehow, I still don't fit in to one of the two "labels" laid out before me. I feel that either I was a young pioneer in the "digitally native age," or one of the last people in the "digital immigrant" age. I think that I am a transitional figure, and there are many like me who lived in my exact time. It's sort of Stravinsky, who when he was born talked about the time in his life where his main form of transportation was the horse and buggy. Then, as an adult, he talked about the invention of the automobile, and how this new technology changed his life forever. By the end of his life, he was flying in planes and even lived to see a man walk on the moon. Now this is an incredible life.
I'm not suggesting that I'm living in a world like Stravinsky's, but I do think that my generation may experience changes just as paramount in different ways. With advances in biology, technology, and in other fields, who's to say what I will experience in my lifetime much less the world my children will one day experience. It is all fascinating, but they will all be digital natives. But we will all be immigrants in some way or another.
From this point in my life onward, I lived in a digital world. In fact if I think very hard back on the fact, I cannot remember a time in my life where the internet wasn't important. Now, part of this has to do with the internet coming of age at precisely the time where I became aware of the world around me. But somehow, I still don't fit in to one of the two "labels" laid out before me. I feel that either I was a young pioneer in the "digitally native age," or one of the last people in the "digital immigrant" age. I think that I am a transitional figure, and there are many like me who lived in my exact time. It's sort of Stravinsky, who when he was born talked about the time in his life where his main form of transportation was the horse and buggy. Then, as an adult, he talked about the invention of the automobile, and how this new technology changed his life forever. By the end of his life, he was flying in planes and even lived to see a man walk on the moon. Now this is an incredible life.
I'm not suggesting that I'm living in a world like Stravinsky's, but I do think that my generation may experience changes just as paramount in different ways. With advances in biology, technology, and in other fields, who's to say what I will experience in my lifetime much less the world my children will one day experience. It is all fascinating, but they will all be digital natives. But we will all be immigrants in some way or another.
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