This past year I have read more that I have in a very long time.

Having become engaged in social networks such as Twitter, consuming news content via my iPhone and iPad and all of the reading that goes along with learning from others on social networks and sharing news that is important to me has made me more excited about learning and reading that I have been in many years.

Instead of feeling like I need to pick up a book on my own, I now am learning along with others, learning with and from t...
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Some other thoughts about using the Ipod Touch as a tool for composition, creativity, ensemble and to accommodate students with special needs.

Overall Pros and Cons

 Overall Pros…

•       - Students love being able to use the Ipod Touch for composition and find it very engaging

•       - There are an incredible array of great FREE applications that can be used for composition, rock band or group performance

•       - For students with special needs (physical, students h...

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When we talk about the students in our classroom, our "digital natives", and how they need to be learning to meet the skills of the 21st century, we often forget that tools that are commonplace for our students (such as the Ipod Touch) are often not part of this equation for changing the way we teach, and our students learn.

Students can use tools such as an Ipod touch to compose, communicate and "rock out" in your music class. What you need to make it work:

- up to 5 Ipod Touch (approx $200 ea...
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“When students are engaged in their learning and social environment, they are better able to develop the skills and knowledge and grasp the opportunities that can help them reach their full potential, pursue lifelong learning, and contribute to a prosperous, cohesive society.” Energizing Ontario Education (2008)

One of the four ideas underlying the Revised Arts Curriculum is Communication (the other three are Developing Creativity, Understanding Culture and Making Connections). Knowing...

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Do we know who our students are in our classroom that are the musicians, students who memorize their facts to a beat, who learn through song and express themselves in ways that they can not on paper.

We need to know who these students are, and how our program is meeting their needs.

I remember Ingrid Whyte, Executive Director of the Coalition for Music Education in Canada, asking whether we as teachers know whether we have had, or do have a Mozart in our classroom.

Do we take the time to know ou...
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