Here are the focusing questions for Instructional Software. Please try to answer each question briefly at first. Then go back and add more detail. Don't spend more than an hour crafting the review document. Use bullet points and link to related Internet addresses where appropriate as part of the discussion for each question. You may find the MusicTIP 1B CAI page to be useful for this section.
- What are the four broad categories of instructional software in music?
- Drill and Practice
- Discovery Simulation
- Tutorials
- Games
- What are some of the major sources instructional software?
- Google YouTube - tutorials
- MusicFirst - tutorials
- MusicTheory.net - tutorials and drill and practice
- Smart Music - drill and practice, discovery simulation, tutorials
- What are some of the key characteristics of “good” instructional software for your teaching needs?
- Free
- User friendly, easy to learn
- Interactive
- Cloud-based - easier to manage for students and teacher alike
- Content that integrates well with my curriculum
- Accurate content, defined and accountable authorship
- Not dependent on Flash which Adobe no longer supports
- Not dependent on Internet Explore which Microsoft has discontinued
- Name and discuss some of the instructional software appropriate for your teaching needs.
- Garageband
- Staff Wars Live - unfortunately Flash dependent
- Smart Music
- MusicTheory.net
- Quaver
- MusicPlay - games
- Notation software like Finale and Sibelius especially for worksheet creation
- Kahoot - music theory and music history questions, user created quizzes
- What other, more general, desktop software can be used to create learning opportunities for students?
- SmartBoard
- Doceri
- PowerPoint, Word, Excel
- ScreenCastOmatic
- Zoom/Skype
- What Web-based software can be used to create learning opportunities for students?
- NoteFlight
- Band-lab
- MusicTheory.net (using the customization feature)
- Plickers.com - real-time assessment and record keeping
- What are some of the advantages and disadvantages of using instructional software?
- Advantages - interactive, engaging, accessible to digital natives, non-humiliating (digital experiences are generally non-judgmental)
- Disadvantages - typing level for young students is poor, they text more often than type. Time penalty for setting and teaching usage. Discourage interpersonal exchanges. In performance based classes, non-performance software takes vital time away from playing the instrument. Dependent on electricity and internet and equipment availability. The digital experience can potentially supplant a more effective traditional experience. Requires additional training and practice in using the software for teaching. New is not always better. Encourages unhealthy physical and social habits.
- What Web 2.0 Web sites allow students to create and share instructional software?
- TikTok, YouTube, FlipGrid, Google Music Labs,
- Adobe Spark, NearPod (mostly for teachers)
- BrainPop - movie creation
- ClipChamp
- ScreenCast by Camtasia
- KAHOOT
- What copyright concerns must be considered when creating or using instructional software while online?
- For commercial software, no problem usually because the maker is responsible for clearing copyrights. MacGraw-Hil, Quaver, etc. should pose no issue.
- For tutorials on YouTube, sometimes (often) clearances are not obtained by the authors.
- What type of hardware and/or class environment is needed to make effective use of instructional software for enhanced music learning?
- Computer
- Projector
- Audio system with speakers and microphone
- Network connection
- Playback devices for physical media
- Referencing the 2014 national standards: list the enduring understandings and essential questions you believe are most relevant to this technology content area.