Sibelius, Creative Thininking, Vermont Midi Project, etc.

In the article "Creative Thinking and Music Technology," we are presented with a multitude of ideas on how to maximize our technology for the use of music education. One of my favorite ideas was the "Electronic Kiosk." What a great idea to use or reuse an old computer that has been sitting around for years, and make it into something that will be useful for teachers and students alike. By using a simple word processor program or another similar type of software, teachers and students can share an interactive space and communicate with each other and view or make important announcements. Especially in this day and age when the world is going through some difficult economic times, this is an electronic way to "go green." It would be nice if they had a "Cash for Clunkers" program for computer hardware! I might be able to get a $4,000 credit and purchase a new computer!

Obviously mp3 players, new music software of all kinds, and multimedia support in the classroom have gone a long way in the last decade in enriching students' minds. I hardly go anywhere without my iPod these days, and I often take for granted that just ten years ago I did not have this special luxury. I keep all my favorite music on a tiny device that is able to store weeks of all different genres of music. What an amazing thought! As a future music educator, this is one tool that must be imperative for the serious student studying music, music education, music theory, and musicology. This technology is so wonderful and relatively cheap, it would be ridiculous not to take advantage of it. Similarly, I believe that we have reached the age where the use of multimedia support in the classroom is vital and in most areas expected. I understand that funding will vary from district to district, but for children of all ages to have this sort of technology in their classroom will change the very way they learn. I have always benefited from multimedia support, even when it was in its early stages. And where will it be twenty years from now? The prospects are very exciting!

I liked reading about the "Vermont MIDI Project" mainly because as a composer myself it affords children the special opportunity to create and display their own unique musical compositions. I think that this is a great idea, and I like the idea of receiving feedback from music teachers and peers alike. Don't we do the same thing in regular English composition class? As a student in the past, I remember revising, editing, and commenting on my peers' papers - I still do these things as a student today. Music composition is the same thing, only we are dealing with a different language. Fostering and nuturing support of this beautiful language in a supportive atmosphere is a fantastic idea for students. The only word of cautionary advise I would give is to make sure the technology is only being used as a tool, and not taking place of creativity and the brain. Musicians have created masterpieces for years without MIDI technology, and we live in the day of some of the worst pieces of music ever composed. Technology should never replace inspiration and creativity. But if we know why the technology is there and how it is helpful, it can be a powerful tool.

I loved reading chapter 14 in "Sibelius," and learning fun and innovative ways that this software can be used for pedagogical purposes. I think that certain aspects of music theory, especialy that of ear-training will become easier with Sibelius. One is able to create special worksheets, excercises, and games that make learning fun and exciting. I know I would use it to teach students about intervals, chords, and use the extra features to color notes and provide fun, new mnuemonic devices that will help them with melodic and harmonic dictation. I also like the prospect of this technology when it comes to the world of error detection. One notable person said, "If you truly want to understand how something works, try and change it." Nothing helps me learn more than understanding why something doesn't work, than why it does work. I think that this will go a long way in perpetuating music education into the future.