NECC 2003 Notes

Latest updates in integrating technology with music

Greetings bloggers,

I do not know if anyone is still maintaining contact with this site, but I wanted to just provide GCATT with my latest uses of integrating technology into my education and education training.

1) I've been using my Sony Minidisc Recorder to record myself. I'm currently working with some additional software to transfer that into a CD recording that I can keep for reference purposes.

2) I have used my Photoscore Software (purchases with funds from the conference) to scan music into my computer. Using this in conjunction with the Sibelius platform, I was able to do a transposition job in one hour instead of three or four

3) Our marching band techniques class is currently using a program called Pyware 3D Java to plot various marching band assignments on a virutal field. More advanced versions of the platform can change the perspective to a 360 degree look of the field. It'd be something nice to have if I could manipulate it.

4) Still in search of the funds for the ever-elusive Maple. (I know where to buy it now).

Hope all is well.

Theo

Developing Websites for CMENC

Greetings all,

I apologize for the delay in my posting, but I wanted to provide people with updates regarding my use of technology in my everyday life. As many of you may or may not know, I am the state president of CMENC (Collegiate Music Educators National Conference), the collegiate branch of MENC: The National Association for Music Education. One of my requests of all the chapters state-wide is to create and maintain a website on the chapter's activities and projects so that we can share information across the state regarding activities and share ideas. All of these will be connected through the state website. I will keep you posted when we have something more to show.

Hope all is well!

Theo

Powerpoint Ideas Needed

Hi everyone.

I know with school up and going everyone is busy-busy-busy.  I was blessed this year with a new Infocus machine and have enjoyed using it to show Powerpoint, Internet sites, and Excel worksheets.  During the conference there was a session called "20 ways to use Powerpoint" (I think).  It was standing room only 20 minutes before it was to begin and so I didn't hang around.  If anyone did go to that session or has any ideas for a good/different Powerpoint use, please let me know.  I've searched the internet and found lots of pre-made lessons and lectures and such.  I've even found a Jeopardy template and a Who Wants to Be a Millionaire-type powerpoint.  I want to avoid simply doing a powerpoint lecture for each day, but still want to use the technology to creatively and effectively. 

Wish you all a great year!  Thanks,
Melanie Helms

Powerpoint Ideas Needed

BIONIC YOUTH: TOO MUCH INFORMATION?

This post is from Helena Mitchell.

For children and teens all over the globe, technology is the primary medium through which they interact socially and recreationally. Until recently, however, no research existed to indicate whether or not the exposure (or perhaps overexposure) to technology has been a benefit or detriment to young minds. In the last five years researchers have found evidence suggesting that today's children are developing an entirely different set of skills than their parents due to the brain's ability to adapt. Video games have had a particularly notable effect on visual perception, though some scientists worry that the increase in visual stimuli results in stunted emotional development and other behavioral issues. Correlations have also been found between video gaming and increased IQ scores. Messaging technology research is still in its infancy, as scientists try to catalogue the various behaviors associated with the technology. What seems evident at this point is that the perceived relationship between avid technology use and loneliness may be overstated. Messaging also appears to improve social interaction, build confidence and increase the ability to multitask.

SOURCE: Newsweek; AUTHOR: Fred Guterl http://www.msnbc.com/news/953368.asp

NECC Webcasts

NECC Webcasts will be available July 15, 2003-January 15, 2004.

Go to http://www.minds.tv/

From there you will click on the NECC logo.

That will take you to the "on-demand videos".

ISTE and MINDS are providing this new extension from NECC. They do ask that you fill out a registration form and a brief survey at the end.

These are the sessions that are available:

Technology in Early Childhood Classrooms: ISTE's Newest Resource!

Filmmakers in the 9-12 Classroom: Curriculum, Standards, and Results

Creative Teachers Address the Standards: Open-Ended Tools and Project-Based Learning

Lifelong Online Learning: The Building Blocks of a Quality Workforce

The Five Essential Questions for e-Learning

Building a Wired Community of Practice: The New SDSU WebQuest Portal

Wherefore Art Thou, Telecollaboration?: Rediscovering Curriculum-Based Collaborative Projects Online

Technology to the Core...and to the Electives, Too!

How Children Will Finally Invent Personal Computing

How to Hack Windows

Digital Portfolios: Addressing the Essential Questions

Join the Beam Team: New Frontiers in Teaching and Learning

Cool, huh? We still get to attend some sessions! If you get a chance to view some, feel free to post about it!

Ideas for Using a Digital Camera

Melanie has a digital camera.  That's great!  She asked for ideas for using a digital camera.  I decided to post it here instead of in the comments in case anybody else would like some ideas.

1001 Uses for a Digital Camera

Classroom Applications for the Digital Camera

Digital Cameras Enhance Education

Going Digital in the Classroom

I've spent my money!!!!

 

Hello all·

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I have finally spent my stipend money.  At the conference, I decided that I wanted to spend my money on a digital camera.  Once I got home, I began looking on ebay and sales papers looking for just the right one.  Finally, I found it and I now have my very own digital camera.  I am really looking forward to using it personally as well as in the classroom.  Iâve used one that the school owns in the classroom; however, it will be nice to have my own at my fingertips whenever I want.  As I get better at uploading and editing pictures, Iâll try to add one to this site.  I hope everyone is enjoying school and if anyone can share any good ideas for using a digital camera in the classroom, Iâd love it. 

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Thanks,
Melanie Helms -- VSU

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Valdosta State University

Kennesaw State University