~Technology Rockstars~

Caitlin Hutchison - TMS/THS Band Director

Bruce Miller - RMS/RHS Band Director

Chuck Yost - GMS/GHS Band Director

How have you handled teaching students how to play instruments online this year?

C. Hutchison: At first, I was extremely overwhelmed about the idea of teaching online and in person. My biggest concern was the number of beginners I had online. I quickly learned that Google Calendar was my best friend. My online beginners had the opportunity to have a weekly private lesson with me so that I could make sure they got the strong foundation that they needed. I have actually enjoyed developing the curriculum. It has given me the opportunity to think outside my rehearsal-based box. We have learned about careers in music, jazz, Drum and Bugle Corp, composition, theory, and some history.

B. Miller: As a band director, I have adapted my approach to teaching band in many ways, but utilizing technology has been my guiding factor. First and foremost, the use of Google Classroom has opened doors to my teaching style. Now, I can share information with my band and guitar students on more music resources and learning platforms that allow them to have "almost" instant access to music and recordings that will enable students to become better musicians and students.

What technology, programs, or applications are your favorite to use with your students?

C. Hutchison: We have used Google Meet extensively. We use SmartMusic, which is an amazing program that allows students to be recorded and the program shows the notes they have missed. It also sends me the recordings so that I can give feedback where needed. We have used Flat.io, which allows my students to compose. We have written melodies on top of prewritten chord progressions as well as writing variations to popular themes. We have also used Sight Reading Factory, which gives students randomized snippets of music that they sight read.

B. Miller: TCPS has provided the music departments access to excellent music technology such as Smart Music, Sightreading Factory, and Flat. Each program gives the learner a new approach to develop their musicianship and knowledge. Smart Music is a vast library of music literature that allows the teacher to assign pieces of music to the student with instant access to music recordings and instrument-specific music parts that are performed for the learner. Sightreading Factory gives students the ability to develop their music reading skills at various levels. Flat is a music notation software that allows the student to become the composer. I have found my students that have enjoyed learning with each of these programs and developed new skills that have strengthened their performance skills. With all that said, I tell my students all the time, "If I had this technology, it would have made me a better musician and all-around better student." All three programs have been "game changers" in my teaching style.

C. Yost: We have utilized Google Classroom and SmartMusic (to a lesser extent). Individual kids have used Sight Reading Factory, and I have used Google Flat for some easy arrangements.

What advice do you have to other teachers who may be struggling with online teaching?

C. Hutchison: Think outside the box. Explore all of the programs that you have access to. Allow students to be creative. Use Screencastify, a lot. I have developed tutorials for every program we use that I can easily send to a struggling student as a reminder. Screencastify is great because they are hearing your voice, your unique style of teaching, your humor, and getting that visual walk-through that they need at the same time, helping multiple learning types succeed. Reach out to other teachers across the county in your subject area. Sometimes, you might have a hard week and you may struggle to come up with something. When that happens, we make a phone call and ask to borrow an assignment.

B. Miller: I encourage fellow teachers to always reach out to one another and share, share, share. My fellow TCPS band directors and I have shared more teaching tactics and ideas this year because we have new avenues to share ideas and lessons that engage students.

C. Yost: Hang in there and take advantage of the free help. I personally belong to a few Band Director groups, and have gotten ideas from fellow educators......also, Retire!