MUS-3215-J01

Music Technology for the Classroom

Fall, 2010 – Johnson State College

Thursdays, 4:00 PM – 6:30 PM

Dibden MIDI Lab

Instructor: Steven Light

Email: steven.light@jsc.edu

Home: 802.426.3498

Office: 802.635.1345

Class website: www.fyreandlightning.org/jsc

Course Description: Wonderful opportunities exist for using music and technology in many classroom settings: elementary, middle school, special services, general music, high school, vocal, and instrumental music. This course will explore some of the tools that are available in music composition, computer assisted instruction, interactive, multimedia and presentation formats. The course is designed to meet the needs of a variety of individuals with varied backgrounds and abilities in music. Time in class will be spent using the various kinds of technologies available as well as considering appropriate uses for the future music educator and his/her students. Our time will be divided among these activities:

1. Presentation, demonstration & discussion
2. Guided group practice with software
3. Individual project time
4. Student presentations

Materials: Readings will be selected from various MENC publications, articles, and a standard text:

* Experiencing Music Technology, 3^rd Edition, Williams and Webster, 2008 *Primary text – must purchase

Teaching Music with Technology, Thomas Rudolph, 2004

Technology Guide for Music Educators, Scott Watson - 2nd edition

Technology for Music Educators, Charles Boody, MENC 1990

Applications of Research in Music Technology, Berz & Bowman, MENC 1994

Music Technology in Irish Second Level Education, Kevin Jennings ca. 2003

Assorted Websites, TBA

Fieldwork: Students will be required to attend workshops at the annual VMEA Conference and attend the VTMIDI Project’s student composition performance.

Course Objectives:

· Understand the basic categories of music software and their possible uses

· Understand hardware configurations and be able to set up a music lab

· Become familiar with a variety of software titles and their value

· Be exposed to Web-based music resources

· Be able to integrate music technology into the music curriculum

· Become comfortable with non-musical technology (web design, data organization, page layout, etc.)

Assignments: **Always be prepared to discuss the assigned weekly readings in class**

Detailed descriptions of assignments and projects will be given and discussed in class and will include:

• Create a music department web site and personal web page for storing/disseminating information and presentations
• Write a reflective paper on technology use
• Survey and critique an assortment of Computer Assisted Instruction in Music (CAIM) software
• Participate in the VTMIDI Project and mentor a student composition
• Attend the VTMIDI Project’s Opus concert
• Attend technology related workshops at the VMEA annual fall conference
• Create a Digital Audio “sound collage”
• Create a short video in which music is a key aspect
• Brainstorm technology based student projects
• Write a musical composition, arrangement or worksheet demonstrating use of Sibelius or other notation software
• Write and teach a technology based lesson plan

Grading: Today’s teachers must be able to communicate ideas through verbal and written means. Grades will be based on student attendance and participation in class and successful completion of all assignments including the writing quality of all papers.

Attendance: Because class participation is such an important component of the course and because much of the class is centered on student projects, class attendance is of the utmost importance. Unexcused absences will affect your final grade.

Communication: Students are encouraged to contact me for any reason by phone or email.