Posted on May 15th, 2008 by JMKuehne
Currently I am gearing up for a summer of fun with our graduate students. I am teaching a TI:ME 1A course and still am not satisfied with my knowledge of Cubase (SE3). We use this software because it is available on both PC and MAC platforms and looks essentially the same. I have found it a bit cumbersome to manipulate existing MIDI files (using it first for MIDI sequencing and editing). For example, when trying to change track instrumentation (patches, I guess you would say), I go through the steps and then there is no change. I’ve gone to the events list and manipulated the items there. Still no change. Perhaps I’m just missing the forest for the trees, but there has got to be a way to edit files that have already been created (students create a file and then edit it). Maybe this will generate some responses?
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Filed under: Software Issues
Posted on January 28th, 2008 by JMKuehne
As you can see, I have updated the look of our ATMI weblog. It appears (for me anyway) to be a little easier to see things (like posts and comments!). So, I guess this begs the question… does interface make a difference? Will students learn more from something that “looks” nice versus something that just presents info without any visual frills? This can be transferable to many different interfaces that may include web applications, course management systems, specific software, etc. As a “viewer/student” I personally like things to look clean/nice visually and be straight forward, or as straight forward as possible. I also like it that way when I’m teaching. What’s your take?
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Filed under: General, Teaching Tools
Posted on January 12th, 2008 by JMKuehne
Hi Everyone! I know we’re busy, but let’s see if we can sound off on Dr. Webster’s question (I copied his comment below for reference). I use video, audio, powerpoint, and other tools (see below for more detail). Each user should be able to create entries as an author, however you may also want to use the comment feature. To quote John Travolta from Michael “Challenge!”
- VIDEO: The “video” one-way (me to them) or one-to-one (either through LC or iChat). Other video I use is prepared video, either their presentations or my own, if I can’t be there live. I also use “how to” videos created through screen capture programs (Snagit, Camtasia, etc.), especially when teaching a music technology class (ie. click here, look here, etc.).
- AUDIO: Probably don’t need to explain this… it’s pretty standard (obviously to play musical examples), but other audio includes recorded versions of the live classes (through archives in LC).
- POWERPOINT: One of my colleagues says that overuse of PowerPoint can lead to “PowerPoint Poisoning.” In other words, “I’m sick of seeing and using PowerPoint and so are the students!” I can say I have suffered from this. Sometimes I feel obligated to create a PowerPoint to help lead students through particularly difficult information, but my plan for this summer is to scale it WAY back. Reference points instead of Poster Session mentality. I don’t need to put as much on the slide as I think. Mostly it’s for me so perhaps I will use the “notes” feature instead…or maybe I will abandon it completely.
- OTHER: Of course I use a regular whiteboard in class, but we are scheduled to have a smart board in our teaching classroom, so that will add another tool!
Comment from webster: This is a great idea and am pleased to see it started! I am interested in how best to teach at a distance by including more than the exchange of words. How are people using things like podcasts, videos, powerpoint presentations, audio files, and perhaps sketching on a whiteboard or something similar to enhance instruction and feedback, etc.
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Filed under: Teaching Tools
Posted on January 9th, 2008 by Scott Lipscomb
Just a quick note to add my voice to Peter’s eloquent commentary. This blog is a GREAT idea and I sincerely appreciate Jane’s taking the initiative to get it set up and announced so quickly. The issue of distance learning is an extremely important one for those of use involved with the use of technology for learning … music or other disciplines. There is great potential to open the “door” of accessibility to our institutions of higher learning to those in disparate regions of the nation - nay, the GLOBE - as learning opportunities are made available via the Internet. How do we ensure the quality of these offerings? What kind of oversight is needed? What organization is well-situated to play a leading role in this process? (boy, is that a leading question or what??) ;) Once again … congratulations for getting this up-and-running. Of course, the true test - and greatest potential benefit - will be determined by the level of engagement. Tag … you’re it!
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Filed under: General
Posted on January 4th, 2008 by JMKuehne
Hello Everyone. I hope you all had a nice break and have started out the new year well. This is the inaugural post of the DL in Music ATMI SIG so I guess I’ll start by talking about something my colleague and I will be doing this semester. We are team teaching a graduate level Practicum course (all students are already teachers). The communication and assessment for this class will be through blog and wiki. Since I’ve never used a wiki before (surprise -since I usually try everything at least once - somewhere my mother would be proud), I have had to quickly bone up on that process, especially since I’m the administrator for one of them. Turns out (as you all probably know) that it wasn’t that big of a deal and it really seems to be a good way for collaborative work - especially if each student needs to do a certain amount (we used to call it “group work” - I think the new term is collaboration). You all probably have more to say about it than I do, but I think there is a way to see exactly how much time each user has spent logged in to the wiki so when students come to me (or e-mail) with complaints I should be able to check to see if there is truly an imbalance of time spent, and changes made. I guess that can help with accountability (at least until they find a way around it!). Anyway, that’s my “new” and yet “old” discovery. Happy posting!
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Filed under: Student Assessment, Teaching Process