Gallery
Artifacts that Demonstrate my Technological and Pedagogical Competency
Leading Technology Initiatives
I believe that technology can be a great asset in the music classroom. Technology is being used in professional musical spaces regularly, and we as music teachers can help supply students with valuable experience working with technology in the classroom.
The following Screencast explains why I believe microphones could be a useful educational tool for students in the music classroom
Teaching the 21st Century Learner
The world is ever changing, and we need to change with it. We can make our classrooms inviting to 21st century students by incorporating relevant media that is relevant to the discipline, and formatting the classroom in a way that enhances the learning experience for young students.
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Click the button below to view a Padlet brainstorming board on how to make a music classroom inviting to a 21st century student.
Teachers are Learners
As an educator, I am committed to furthering my education throughout my professional career. I am currently participating in musical groups such as the Utah State University Chamber Singers, the American Festival Chorus, and the USU Opera Outreach Quartet. I have also attended two UMEA Professional Development Conferences.
After I graduate, I plan to participate in the Arizona Millennial Choir, a high-quality community choir. I also plan to attend professional development seminars and Arizona educator conferences.
Educators should always be learning and growing to continuously improve their teaching, and I plan to accomplish this.
Digital Citizenship
It can be an eye-opening experience to realize just how much data is being collected from our students. Regardless of if the app complies with FERPA -the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act- our students' information is being collected. We as educators need to be aware of what data is being collected, where that data is going, and what their data is being used for. I have taken the time to go through individual privacy policies of educational apps that I have used for years, and it feels a bit unsettling to realize just how much information is being collected.
It has made me realize just how much information I am putting into these apps. Though my choices are limited, I know that Canvas tracks how long I stay in certain pages, what tabs I interact with, and so on. This has
made me more aware of what I am putting out onto the internet, and what I my students are putting out onto the internet. I am determined to provide my students with safe, and FERPA compliant technology to use in the classroom.
Instructional Design
Throughout my education at Utah State University, I have had many opportunities to create detailed, effective lesson plans. With the guidance and feedback of both faculty and peers, I have learned what goes into creating a well thought-out lesson plan.
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Click below to view a lesson plan that teaches students about chord progressions and functional harmony.
Educators Collaborate
With Carissa Olson Crowton
I recently had the opportunity to collaborate on a composition project for a peer's capstone project at Utah State University.
Throughout this project, I learned how to recognize individual strengths, and how to use both mine and others' strengths to create a better, more well-rounded project. Where I may be deficit in an area, those I collaborate with may have strengths, and help me to improve in that area. Likewise, I may have strengths that others lack, and I learn how to teach these skills to help others in the areas they lack ability.
It is important to lend your expertise, as well as learn from others when collaborating, you will learn things that will improve your teaching ability tenfold.
Fostering Creativity and Agency
Music is a creative art. Without creativity, music would not exist and continue to grow,
develop, and thrive. Creativity is the heart and soul of music. As music teachers, I believe it is our duty to foster creativity in upcoming generations, so that music and art can continue to grow and change to match the culture of the time and capture the emotions and struggles of the people living through it. I believe education should not take the creativity out of its students, but instead nurture that creativity, and provide opportunities for students to express themselves, make mistakes, and learn from those mistakes.
Music and the arts are under constant threat of being removed from school curriculums,
as they are seen as less than other subjects such as Math, Science, History, and English. One of my greatest arguments in favor of arts programs is their ability to foster creativity and
individuality in students. In today’s world of efficiency and industry, people rarely have the
chance to express themselves. Music and the arts provide a safe, healthy environment in which students can experiment, make mistakes, and use their imagination to create new art. From composing a piece of music to painting a masterpiece, the arts are essential to creativity, and creativity is essential to the arts.
Click below to view an interactive PDF that encourages students to explore their preferences in different genres of music.
Computational Thinking
In today's day and age, technology is becoming increasingly integrated into our lives. Whether we like it or not, our students have access to technology, and what a great tool it can be. Technology gives us access to a plethora of new and engaging ways to teach. It connects us to other teachers, students and parents more than ever before.
It is important that we as educators are adaptable, and we take full advantage of the equipment available to us to improve the learning experience of our students.
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Click below to view a lesson outline that includes technology to help enhance student understanding and learning.
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Being an Analyst
When assessing student achievement and progression, it is important to know how to create effective assessments and how to analyze the data collected from those assessments.
Music is a creative, and skill-based discipline, so assessments need to reflect that. I like to assess students using both authentic and traditional assessment.
Authentic assessments would include, memorization checks, solo and small ensemble performances, creating musical compositions, or creating a poster about their favorite composer.
Traditional assessments would include key signature quizzes, note name quizzes, and aural dictations.
When analyzing the data collected from these assessments, I am looking for both individual improvement, as well as class improvement. If the class as a whole is not improving, I need to teach the concept again in a different way. If individuals are not improving, I can provide them with specific help that will help them reach their individual and classroom goals.
Information and Media Literacy
In a day and age where information is readily at our fingertips, misinformation is just as available if not more so. Students have access to more information than ever before, and it is our job as educators to teach students how to navigate these digital spaces.
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Click the button below to view a Padlet blog that teaches students how to detect edited vocal audio online.
