Final Reflection Paper

Taking this course has opened my mind to how the internet can be used in an educational setting if implemented properly. Before this course I saw smart boards being used, but never thought of how I could use it in my teaching. Doing the learning module 4.0 using wetpaint I learned how I could make a lesson and design it for students to use. One of the most amazing things I found was how I could link youtube videos to wetpaint for students to watch and listen to. When I was in 6th grade I took a class in making websites and this brought back how excited I was to make a website and how much I enjoyed it. I was even more excited to do the wetpaint assignment and let my imagination take over. If I was this excited to make a wetpaint I can not imagine how excited my students would be to use it.
One of my goals from here on out is to push for my students to be more creative in their learning. I need to help them explore the diversity of music whether it is helping them create their own pieces or learning about hip hop. We hear all the time from administration statements such as, do not try this or make education conform to a box. What if we can open up the box to creativity that students have. We need to harness this creativity. Web 2.0 is a great way for students to thrive in a creative way. They can use powerpoint to do presentations, make their own youtube videos and make their own podcasts. One of the neatest ideas is to record themselves and have other students or teachers from around the world critique and encourage them.
One of the most surprising things that I took from this course was how vast the information is that we have at our fingertips. As teachers we need to break down what is useful and what is not. I did not know that webquests even existed. I knew there were programs out there on the web that I could use to teach with but I did not know that I could create a lesson that way.
If I was to change one thing about this course it would be to have two chances to meet as a class in a computer lab to throw ideas around about Web 2.0. This would have helped me watch others teach using wetpaint and other ways.
I would love to take another class like this on how to use the web as a tool in the classroom. At first I was skeptical about how it could really be used. I can see how powerful a tool it can be and will use it regularly in my classroom.

Webliography on JW Pepper

Sheet Music at JW Pepper

http://www.jwpepper.com/sheet-music/welcome.jsp

This website contains information on purchasing sheet music for choruses, bands, orchestras, and many more. It also has education information about state festivals and music lists. The site is up to date and the company has been around since 1876.


This website has a great front page but can be hard to find specific pieces. There are too many links that overlap each other and make it hard to click on something. I would rate it an 8/10.

Webliography on Suzuki

Suzuki Association of America

http://suzukiassociation.org/


The goal of this website is to bring together all of the Suzuki teachers across North and South America. Some of the most important content is: news and journals, events, media, teachers and parents and members.

This website is a bit overwhelming to look at. There are too many directions that it is trying to take. There are videos on the main page as well as information about scholarships. It does not seem to be organized as well as it could be. I would rate it a 6/10.

Webliography on Mark Wood

Mark Wood

http://www.markwoodmusic.com/html/news.html

This website contains links about Mark Wood who is a professional electric violin player. He is also an educator as well. The website contains video of Mark Wood performing with student groups and information about his calendar of events.

The website has two design flaws. One is the font on the top left is very small and hard to read. The other is that most of the information from the website one has to scroll through with a very small window. It is not very easy to navigate. I would rate it a 7/10.

Webliography on Smart Music

Smart Music

http://www.smartmusic.com/

This website is an advertisement for smart music which is a way for students to listen, perform and evaluate their playing. The indented audience is music educators. The purpose is for teachers to see how easy it can be to integrate smart music into their daily teaching.

This website speaks more to like an advertisement then the other websites. It offers educational opportunities but they cost money. Also for the first time the videos are right in the middle of the page. I would rate this website an 8/10.

Webliography on Finale

Finale Music Composing and Notation

http://www.finalemusic.com/

The Finale website offers way to buy music software as well as how to try demos and trial versions. It offers support, community, showcasing your music, find a dealer and store. One of the features that most people look over is the showcase your music feature. This lets students and teachers use music composed from others and also add their own music. The goal of the website is to buy the software but there are many educational opportunities as well.

The website has very clear information. The graphics are clear and there is no doubt that a professional made the website. I wish the sites educational material was easier to access but it is sort of hidden behind the ads to buy the software. I would rate the website a 9/10.

Webliography on Sibelius

Sibelius Education

http://www.sibeliuseducation.com/

The major categories covered on this website are how to sign in, teaching resources and worksheets, and compositional education videos. The site includes tips on how to use Sibelius and link for curriculum.

This website has a very straight forward feel to it. Nothing really jumps out at you. Everything looks the same. One easy fix would be to use a mixture of colors. If I was a student I would be lost but as a teacher I can use it. I would rate this website a 7/10.