PLN Week 1

Technology for Music Teaching & Learning

Week 1 Reflection

          Technology means different things at different time to different people. At one point in time, the pencil was considered state of the art technology. Then came the invention of the pencil sharpener which revolutionized how a pencil would be sharpened. Today, technology has come an integrated part of everyday life. Technology today refers to computers, smartphones, mp3 players, GPS systems, and much more. Many people would not know what to do if they left their smart phone behind since it is such a part of them.

          There are new terms given to people who have different experiences with technology. The first new name I heard was called a “Digital Native” (Bauer, 2014). A digital native is someone who grew up using technology. This term is usually given to today’s youths. They have never known a world without technology being there. The next new term I have not heard of before the lecture is “digital immigrant” (Bauer, 2014). A digital immigrant is someone like me. When I was born, the idea of a home computer was only for people who were very wealthy. I had very limited access to computers in school and no access at home unless we went to the library. The term used for people who avoid using technology is “analog holdouts” or “Luddites” (Bazen, 2016). Luddites would be people like my grandparents who don’t want to even try learning about technology and avoid using it all together. I believe these terms are important for determining where your students in your classes stand. Not all schools are set up to for students to work with computers in every class. Knowing these terms and what they mean can help me divide up my class into groups that will work

          Another section of the book I found interesting was how sometimes introducing new technology we forget about the old technology we are already using (Bauer. 2017). This can also mean that we are not integrating the new technology correctly. The biggest mistake educator makes when trying to use a new technology in their classroom is to use it incorrectly. This seems to happen from a lack a teacher training before the teacher uses the technology. Many times the teacher researches the technology then jumps right in to the lesson with the students. Often times this lesson is detached from the unit the students are currently working on.

          The biggest problem Bauer touches on is the lack of technology within the classrooms. Many music teachers, including myself, do not have access to computers when I am teaching. There is a big push throughout the nation really to use more and more technology into the classroom. It is nearly impossible to use technology in my classroom because my students and I do not have access to computers in the classroom. The best I can do is pull out my cell phone and try to show the students something on my phone and hope that everyone can see,

          The Technological Pedagogical and Content Knowledge or TPACK model is something that I ended up rereading multiple times and I’m still not sure if I totally understand it. The TPACK model is something I hope to gain a better understanding about it as we work through the book.

Bauer, W. I. (2014). Music learning today digital pedagogy for creating performing

and responding to music. New York, NY Oxford University Press.

Bazan, D. (2016) Technology assisted music teaching & professional development.

Technology for music teaching & learning. Week 1 lecture.