So, you know you should be using computers in your classroom, but you don't have a clue where to start?
Take a look at how some other educators have used computers very creatively to assist with music classes. There are obviously many, many resources that you can purchase for your students. However, WOW/EM is trying to provide as many links to free sites and services as possible. Remember, this is not a commercial site, so there's no hidden agenda. If you have more suggestions, please email us.
Wreading, Writing, and Writhmetic!
Assuming you already know about the Music Educator's National Conference <http://www.menc.org/>, you might want to start with something like Education World <http://www.education-world.com/index.shtml> to find all kinds of online resources for the classroom.
Money Makes the World Go 'Round
Did you know that you can apply for grants just to help you learn to use technology in the classroom? Check out some of these sources:
American Music Education Initiative
Awards grants on a competitive basis to teachers who have used American music in their classrooms to teach any subject, K-12. The grants are $1000 for finalists, $ 500 for semi-finalists and other honorable mentions that get their lessons published in print and on the internet. Check out the Web site for Application information and to view the winning lessons last year or write the National Music Foundation, 70 Kemble Street, Lenox, MA 01240. Telephone: (413) 637-1800. Deadline for Applications is September 1.
Resource Guide to Federal Funding for Technology in Education: http://www.ed.gov/Technology/tec-guid.html
Software Tools for Young Students
There are a couple of great programs available for very young students. First of all, take a look at Morton Subotnick's CD-ROM Making Music available through Voyager and Learn Technologies Interactive <http://voyager.learntech.com/cdrom/author.cgi?makingmusic>. The software is available for Mac and Windows. The second in the series of educational CD-ROMs is called Making More Music, and is also available at <http://voyager.learntech.com/cdrom/catalogpage.cgi?mmm>. Also, be sure to check out his website, Morton Subotnick's Creating Music, < http://www.creatingmusic.com/>. These compositional tools are all on the web and absolutely free! The site includes activities such as Sketch pad and Rhythm Band, Puzzles, Playing with Music, Cartoon Conductor, and Musical Contours.
It's Elementary My Dear Watson!
Want to know what's happening with electronic music in elementary schools? Here is a great article by Jeff Peller about a project called A Sound Education. Read how he worked with young students to create electroacoustic music using a program called Max and a Macintosh computer.
Looking for online resourses for Music Theory and Ear Training for your students?
Here's a great new website that offers online ear training exercises. Take a look here: < http://www.good-ear.com/>
Music Theory Online <http://www.music-theory.com/> is an "interactive course in musical theory that is geared to the student's needs at any age or ability level." It's probably best for high school students, but it's worth taking a look for any age.
DSP for Children
This is a fabulous program for young adults with interests in electracoustic music. It was developed at the Norwegian network for Technology, Acoustics and Music (NoTAM) by Joran Rudi. The program provides an integrated environment for learning about sound recording and editing, synthesis, sound processing, and composing with a computer. Read more about the program at <http://www.notam.uio.no/~joranru/DSPforChildren.html>. You can order the software through the Electronic Music Foundation <http://www.emf.org> for $27 (USD).
If you have other stories and ideas you would like to share--please let us know! We can post them on our website, and then you can join the listserv and "talk" with others who have similar interests and concerns. Thanks!
Copyright September 1996,
updated February 2004.
Kristine H. Burns,
Florida International University
Questions? Contact me.
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