Everything Is New to Me.

I can definitely say that I knew nothing about any of the projects that we have done so far in this class. The internet wasn't even online when I went through my first Master's program. I can honestly say that I know just what I need to know to function in the world of technology. Working with 5 performing ensembles each year takes the vast majority of my weekdays and weekends. I just haven't taken the time to keep up with these types of things. I don't even have a Facebook account.

I think the most interesting thing that I have read so far is Chapter 9. I am interested in how to utilize Ning in a music classroom. I could envision posting videos of classroom rehearsals or performances and having other band directors, and maybe even the composers of the pieces, listen and make comments to the class. I could also see the students completing assessments and posting constructive comments. It would be good to post links to other performances of the pieces we are rehearsing to give the students a reference, good or bad, to our progress.

I totally agree with the author when he said that we need to teach the students how to use the information the web in a constructive way. I like the way he said that we need to be our own editors. That makes a lot of sense. I often have conversations with my students about using good ethics while posting online as well. There are too many negatives that go with social media sites. It doesn't have to be that way.

The class is definitely opening my eyes to things that I haven't seen before.