Treble Clef High Technology Fundraisers!

As instrumental music director of Treble Clef High School I would like to welcome parents, students, and visitors to learn more about our programs and current fundraising efforts to enhance the technology available to the students at Treble Clef! With the help of our outstanding and supportive PTA we are asking that you take a moment to read below and understand more about the benefits that enhanced technology can make in your child’s education. On behalf of the music and arts programs, I would like to encourage you to participate in any way you can. Large or small, any contribution of time or resources is a step in the right direction!

There are many reasons for you as parents to assist us in our goal of providing more technology for your students. I understand as a parent myself that many times it seems the only thing our kids use technology for is to play the latest video game or a pound out a non-stop stream of texts. While these are results of technology, it is worth the time to think of just a few of the little things that today we take for granted.

I remember learning how to find my way around on maps when I was learning how to drive. I mentioned this to some students the other day and they laughed. Why shouldn’t they? Technology has brought us instant information, including satellite maps from the Internet. Factor in turn-by-turn GPS technology and you can see how far we’ve come since the Thomas Guide.

Think as well of all the other things we take for granted about the Internet: Online Banking, retail shopping, consumer reports, and of course e-mail. All of these things have revolutionized not only how we live and work, but also how we must educate or children to inherit and build upon these technological advances.

Studies have shown that technology can assist learning in the following ways (Roblyer et al., 2010, p.15):

• Develop higher order thinking
• Improve motivation, attitude, and interest
• Prepare for the workforce
• Assist low-performing and at-risk students

There is also ample scholarly evidence beyond these justifications for providing technology in the classroom. The theories behind both Directed Learning and Constructivist Learning will help to clarify and underscore the need for enhanced technology in the classroom.

Directed Learning is a teaching model based on behavioral and cognitive theories where students receive information from teachers and complete teacher directed activities (Roblyer et. al, 2010, p.426). Directed learning is directly aided by technology through attracting student’s attention and providing repetitive (individual) application and practice. Computers can also give accurate assessment of student skills and provide a direct sequence for activities and projects (Roblyer et. al., 2010, p. 36). For more information see the website: Instructional Design and Learning Theory

Constructivist Learning is a teaching model based on cognitive learning theories. It states that learners generate their own knowledge gained through experience-based activities and not by being taught by teachers (Roblyer et al., 2010, p.426). Constructivist theory can be aided directly by technology by supporting opportunities for collaboration, providing multiple paths to learning, providing a visual scaffold, and allowing an opportunity to connect abstract concepts with real-world situations (Roblyer et. al., 2010, p. 42). For more information on Constructivist theories see the website: Constructivist Learning Theory

Three types of technology that would greatly benefit Treble Clef High Music program are individual MIDI music stations, Pro-tools capable workstations, and Finale music software. With individual MIDI stations, students can work on projects that supplement the national and state standards for music. Students can participate in directed learning opportunities through lessons that incorporate the dictation of certain musical selections as well as the arrangements of given melodies. Having Pro-tools capable workstation means that students can take their performances to a level of interaction beyond the band room. Students can participate in constructivist-guided standards-based lessons where they can record themselves performing, mix and edit their sounds and, and add all sorts of post production sound effects. Using Finale software students can notate and score their own or given melodies and musical selections. This versatile software allows for both constructivist and directed approaches.

As you can see, there is a solid basis for the use of technology in education. In our program we are striving to give our students the best opportunity to enhance the skills they will need to be productive and competitive in an increasingly technological global community. We cannot do it without the help and support of our wonderful Treble Clef High parents. I encourage you to respond with any suggestions and comments to this blog. We will have future posts regarding our upcoming spaghetti dinner, play-a-thon, and cow-chip bingo technology fundraisers. Remember that any participation and donations at these functions will help our goal to enhance technology at our school. Stay tuned!

References

Mergel, Brenda. (1998). Instructional Design and Learning Theory. Downloaded
on January 6, 2010 from http://www.usask.ca/education/coursework/
802papers/mergel/brenda.htm


Hein, George. (1991). Constructivist Learning Theory. Downloaded from the Institute
For Inquiry on January 6, 2010 from http://www.exploratorium.edu/ifi/resources/
constructivistlearning.html


Roblyer, M.D., & Doering, A.H. (2010). Integrating educational technology into teaching.
(5th ed.). Boston: Allen and Bacon/Pearson.

DISCLAIMER: This blog is an assignment for an educational technology course at National University. It is not a real fundraising blog.