I may have a new motto when thinking about technology in my music classroom, and it stems from the quote from David Kelly's TEDTalk:
"It would be really great if you didn't let people divide the world into the creatives and the non creatives like it's some God given thing. And to have people realize that they're naturally creative... those natural people should let their ideas fly." (p. 50)
In the first year of teaching at a new Arts and Technology magnet school, we have been searching for ways for students to integrate the arts into the district's curriculum. The idea is that if the students are more engaged through creative expression, they will achieve in their academics.
I have discovered that I have two groups of music students:
- students who actively participate in music activities (instrumental music, chorus, the spring musical, or even in general music)
- students who don't engage in music activities
These students could be considered the 'creatives' and 'non-creatives'... but I need to learn how to teach ALL of my students to bring out their natural creativity. I know they have it in them. How do I know? A few of my fifth-grade (former) 'non-creatives' were in their classroom, and were given an activity by their substitute to either write a story, poem, or rap about spring. These students not only wrote a rap, but improvised by drumming on the tables and beat-boxing. I'd like to think it correlated with the world drumming unit we were doing in general music - but it wasn't. These are students who are almost always skeptical about any musical activity that I offer, yet in their free time, they were being musically creative. And apparently, it was AWESOME.
That is just one example of their creativity. Technology is going to be a great way for me to reach those (former) 'non-creatives' and give them an outlet to express themselves. I mentioned somewhere in this class how I am excited to incorporate GarageBand with my fifth grade students. The unit has now spiraled into an integrated unit where they will be writing songs/chants about the branches of the U.S. Government (a dry subject?) with GarageBand accompaniment. A few of the (former) 'non-creatives' have told me how excited they are to begin to use GarageBand. HOORAY for technology!
I apologize for being long-winded - but I LOVE that quote. And I am going to use technology to reach all of my students.
What else did I learn this week?
- the function of MIDI cables (I have a set of antiquated Yamaha MIE-1 keyboards that I've plugged black and gray cords in for years, not knowing their function)
- how easy MuseScore is - and I already have plans to use it to write warm-ups for my beginning band students!
- and combining both of those things - I LOVE my new MIDI keyboard!
- that I need to advocate for a music technology lab in my magnet school for my students, similar to the students we saw in the video from the lecture - SO cool! SO exciting!
The idea that "everyone is creative" really struck me this week too. Some days, the creativity may just be more successful than others. Absolutely agreed on how excited I am for MuseScore. We don't have the budget for Sibelius or Finale. MuseScore, however, I believe we may be able to afford!
ReplyDeleteMegan, I really enjoyed your quote from TEDtalks! I think back on the last few years I have taught and how many students were possibly left out of the music program because the performance based program I taught did not allow for their creativity or expressive styles. This was as revolutionary a thought to me as the idea of audiation before music literacy that was presented in my instrumental techniques class. The idea that everyone is creative and only needs the opportunity and tools to present their creativity really hit me and makes me want to reevaluate how I am teaching music in the future. I was also impressed with how EASY this technology is to use...and if I can do, these kids can probably do it better! So here I go...lets change the way kids express themselves!
ReplyDeleteMegan,
ReplyDeleteI feel like I was the same way last year, dividing my kids up into the group that didn't partake in musical activities and the group that did. This year I started offering a Garageband class and there is a big interest in the student body on both sides of that divide. I am listening to students, who I considered the "non-creatives", create amazing works using not only the pre-recorded loops, but also their own works they have input through the use of MIDI keyboards. It is incredible to watch student's creativity blossom when they are given the tools that speak to them. Technology can be that bridge that connects us all together and encourages us as humans to express our creative nature.
I hope all keeps going well for you using Garageband!!!!!
H