Prezi

http://prezi.com/psd3iq0l_nhz/the-interview-getting-to-know-you-activity/

I really thought the process of creating a Prezi for classroom usage was a pretty stress free process. I think that Prezi skilfully combines the likable characteristics of software like Keynote and presents them in an easy to use web format that is very user friendly. Prior to this project, I had minimal experience with Prezi. As my school district works to incorporate Common Core State Standards, several presenters used Prezi. The project that I have presented is an adaptation of 2 projects that I use for my general music class. This nine weeks, rather than presenting a video clip that I use for instruction when we discuss music in film and media and using the interview project at the beginning of the year. By combining these projects, I hope to get students better acquainted with each other while better introducing the students to different type of music and film. I honestly feel that simply being able to include a URL link into the web - based program really does make it easier than downloading and inserting video, or even using a URL and having to leave the presentation and pulling up a browser. 

Although Prezi’s aesthetic is extremely user friendly, I do wish that there were more formatting options. While looking at the different levels of membership for Prezi, I would have to naturally assume that more variety in formatting options, options for true customization, and other “finishing touches” would be restricted to encourage Prezi users to procure a paid membership. I hope that Prezi is a product that I can use more in my general music classroom. I am a big proponent of keynote -- but we’ll see what happens as I work to switch my lectures and presentations over to Prezi.

Video Project

Here's the link to an instruction video that I created for my Technology in Education class. I will use it to wrap-up classroom instruction during the final week before Christmas Break! 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=la9U_UGwE9Q

I found the process of creating a video to be quite interesting. I chose to use my computer’s preload iMovie software that comes bundled with the iLife suite for Mac operating systems. As with most apple software, the product was very user friendly, and I found that I was able to edit and fine tune the materials in my video easily in a very short period of time. I am definitely a fan of the flipped classroom, and I feel that the ease of creating instructional videos will definitely be a plus as I become acclimated with the flipped classroom concept.

 However, I did find it quite difficult to manipulate some of the more advances features on the software. However, it took a considerable about of time to explore the process of manipulating still frames and how to undo a default feature of the software. Overall, I was very impressed with the iMovie software, and I think that its user friendly interface could be a great starting point for many instructional videos. I am excited about using this video as apart of my classroom instruction this week and I am very excited about comparing classroom participation and interaction in the light of individually paced, student lead learning.  

Blog Learning Reflection

a blog on blogging.... 

The creation of this blog has been an extremely enjoyable process. Through my experiences in the classroom, I know that technology has been and continues to be at the helm of student learning and achievement. Not only does blogging allow me the opportunity to expand educational outcomes from the classroom, and can serve as a hub for posting reminders, projects and upcoming dates. A calendar of events with reminders for the week may not make it from my hands to the parents, but a url that parents can access at anytime will. I am familiar with the concept of blogging as each teacher in my school is required to maintain a webpage. I think the idea of a webpage for teachers is a novel idea, but my page doesn’t see much traffic. It will be an interesting experiment to see how this page integrates into my classroom’s digital “world”. 

The process of creating the blog was quite simple. Click a few buttons, change a few things, and you have a basic working webpage. However, I did find it hard to further customize the web page. Although the advanced options have the ability to customize colors, and width, individuals that want further customization, but no formal knowledge about CSS have very limited options. I also found it difficult to format posts in the page editor application. Other than those limitations, the user interface and the ease in which you can post, edit, and configure the website making the concept of blogging in for the classroom a great enhancement for education.  

I plan to use my blog for rehearsal reflections for my choirs and I plan to post music and recordings of repertoire and literature that we are learning on the page. I also like the fact that there are options to view post interaction, and add gadgets and widgets for photos, documents, and other forms. I also like the fact that the Blogger tool is supported by the google family of products. This makes it very easy to integrate my school email and google drive in the blog. 

Welcome to my blog, The Music Stand. This blog will serve as a sort of sounding board for my Technology in Education Class at WCU, and will also serve as a hub for resources for my performance ensembles at OGMS! Feel free to leave useful comments and feedback!!!