(TECHSBO0105)
SBOTechnology
Music Technology Courseware Options
Part I of a III-part Series: "Outside of the Box” – Invaluable Resources for Music Technology Literacy
by John Kuzmich, Jr.
The more I teach music technology, the more I realize how vital third-party resources can be for music educators. There are some incredible training materials available for teachers to investigate. This is the secret ingredient to successfully incorporating technology into educational approaches that go "beyond the manufacturer's product boxes."
While it is easy to purchase software and hardware products, it is an entirely different situation to actually use them effectively. Over the years, I have reviewed many resources that can make a world of difference toward the positive use of technology in your classroom.
So, why do so many music educators ignore technology? Two factors come to mind: Undergraduate and graduate music education degree programs do not cover technology in any systemic manner; and school budgets are almost always limiting, or focus dollars elsewhere. Consequently, music educators are left to their own devices to learn about technology outside of their formal studies, and usually on their own dime. Workshops, music education journals, and conferences are amongst the most common learning venues. In the Fortune 500 world, in-service training represents a huge part of corporate budgets and in some cases is equal to hardware and software product purchases, but in the education profession, in-service training budgets are often minimal, at best.
In this installment, we have compiled 62 of the “best-of-the-best” resources available online, in books, videos, CDs, DVDs, and Web sites in order to give you insight and confidence and allow you to increase productivity. Below I will outline an essential bibliography appropriate for music educators at all levels. The bibliography topics will make it easier to browse. Of note, the quantity and quality of valuable instructional materials now available is impressive. I've made brief annotated summary comments for each publication, but additional information will be readily available at the manufacturer's Web sites. The object here is to motivate an exploration of technology that can have a positive affect on teaching.
Books on Music Notation Products
The learning curve for music notation software can be steep for entry-level users. But with third-party books, videos and Internet resources, the process can be a lot easier. Having third-party publications available can be essential for student, too; they can search the book's index for immediate answers to notation software questions. Below are some excellent publications.
1. Finale NotePad Primer by Bill Purse, published by Backbeat Books, 2003. URL: www.backbeatbooks.com. Easy to use Finale NotePad in your classes since it a good freeware product and compatible with Finale for the classroom. This book will be an instant success for your students and take pressure off of the teacher.
2. The Printmusic! Primer by Bill Purse, Backbeat Books, 2003, 259 pp. URL: www.backbeatbooks.com. Finale Printmusic! is a best buy in the music notation market at only $69.95. This book provides quality, in-depth instruction in its 259 pages.
3. Finale 2005 Power! by Mark Johnson, published by Thomson Course Technology, 2004, 420 pp. URL: www.courseptr.com. A must reference publication for Finale 2005 . Provides tricks of the trade plus essential tutorials. Easy to use and powerful applications.
4. Finale: An Easy Guide to Music Education by Thomas E. Rudolph and Vincent A. Leonard, Jr., Berklee Press, 2002. 758 pp. Most definitive resource on Finale available with a newer update forthcoming. The companion CD is contains important tutorial files, libraries of articulations and dynamics, General MIDI instrument libraries and professional templates.
5. Notepad to Finale by Valerie L Trollinger, Electronic Courseware Systems, 2003, 62 pp. A
practical approach integrated with beginning music theory. Comes with Finale Notepad CD.
Books on Music Technology Instruction (MIDI, Sequencing, Recording, etc.)
I can't think of a technology with more demanding learning curve than MIDI and digital audio recording sequencing. The applications are so powerful and can be so creatively used – I find the following publications very inspiring. Two kinds of literature are available: 1) product specialty and 2) general applications not dealing with specific products.
Proprietary Digital Sequencing Publications:
6 . Cakewalk Home Studio by Craig Anderton, published by Music Sales, 2003, 62 pp. This publication is a must for learning and teaching Home Studio in a classroom situation. You'll like the projects on the companion CD. The best $14.95 investment you will ever make for classroom instruction ready to go outside of the box.
7. Cubase for Macintosh & Windows by Thad Brown, published by Peachpit Press, 2004, 413 pp. Cubase is a power professional MIDI/digital audio recording sequencing software package. Its 400+ pages use pictures rather than lengthy explanations. You'll be up and running in no time!
8. Sonar 4 Power by Scott Garrigus, published by Thomson Course Technology , 2004, 500 pp. URL: www.courseptr.com. This informative step-by-step instruction gets you into the power and user-friendliness of Sonar, the leading Windows based sequencer. Covers everything in-depth: midi, audio effects, mixing, recording sessions, composing and more with step-by-step examples and exercises. The publisher also offers ten other Sonar publications which when used together, take you to professional adventures rarely ever found in a single volume. Some of these other related Thomson books are: Sonar 3 Ignite! and Sonar Csi Starter .
9 . Sound Forge 6 Power! by Scott Garrigus, published by Thomson Course Technology, 2002, 350 pp. URL: www.courseptr.com. Powerful text cover everything from setting up and customizing your system, recording and playback, creating special effects, and using Sound Forge with ACID . Works well with beginners and beyond.
10 . Producing Music with Digital Performer by Ben Newhouse, published by Berklee Press, 2004, 222 pp. URL: www.berkleepress.com. An outstanding publication that covers most of the features in Digital Performer . By learning the ins and outs of Digital Performer's intuitive interface and powerful tool set, you'll learn why it is the tool of choice for so many music makers on the Mac platform.
11. Teach Yourself Acid 3.0 in 24 Hours by Gary Rebholz and Michael Bryant, published by Sams, 2002, 421 pp. URL: www.samspublishing.com. Sequencing with loops is a dynamic way to compose music in the classroom with an easy learning curve. Acid by Sony Publications is the leader on looping software. In 24 sessions of one hour or less, you will learn the skills to create music soundtracks for publishing on the Web, burning to CD and scoring to video for Macromedia Flash movies. A great step-by-step approach with a companion CD that contains hundreds of loops and all the songs composed in the book.
12 . The Complete Pro Tools Handbook by Jose "Chilitos" Valenzuela, published by Backbeat Books, 2003. 516 pp. URL: www.backbeatbooks.com . Pro Tools is the music industry's leading audio record and editing platform. This publication is a must for learning tips and tricks on everything from recording and editing to mixing and mastering. Step-by-step instruction has sample projects and exercises found on the outstanding companion CD.
Non-Proprietary Digital Sequencing Resources:
13. ACID Pro 5 Training DVD published by Sony Pictures Digital, Inc., 2004. 2 DVD's. URL: www.mediasoftware.sonypictures.com . Interactive hands-on DVD tutorials are the latest improvement in music technology resources for learning major software applications. Covers not only the basics of creating music with ACID Pro 5 software, but continues with more advanced topics, including many new features such as Media Manager and Groove Mapping technology. The step-by-step seminar style is outstanding.
14. Recording in the Digital World by Thomas E. Rudolph and Vince Leonard, published by Berklee Press, 2004. URL: www.berkleepress.com/catalog/product?product%5fid=11392Build the perfect digital studio, no matter what your budget. Creating professional-quality digital recordings does not require buying the most expensive equipment. It does require buying the right equipment and knowing how to use it effectively. Recording in the Digital World provides professional advice and recommendations on studio gear, software, and the latest technologies. Learn to create, edit, and master digital recordings like a pro with the practical tips and extensive. Suggestions featured in this guide. Written by a music educator for music educators.
15 . Ultimate Beginner Tech Start Series , volumes through 9 published by Warner Bros. 2000. About 60+ pp. This series of 9 books is excellent in taking the first steps toward making music with your computer. Titles include: MIDI Basics, Musicians and the Internet, Home Recording Basics, Musicians and Computers, Musicians and Multimedia, Sequencing Basics, Musicians and Computer with interactive CD-ROM, Live Sound Basics and Drum Programming Basics. A good basic, straight-ahead series for the entry-level music educator just getting into computer music technology, and priced right in paperback at $9.95 each.
16. How MIDI Works! by Peter Lawrence Alexander, published by Hal Leonard, 2001, 402 pp. URL: www.halleonard.com . MIDI can be difficult for the layperson to understand at first. This book is comprehensive yet written in clear English and assumes no prior background with MIDI. But it is not restricted to entry level because it gets into controllers, mixing board, recording features, hard disk audio recording and more. This is used as a college text for dozens of universities.
17. The MIDI Companion by Jeff Rona, published by Hal Leonard, 96 pp. URL: www.halleonard.com . A complete guide to using MIDI synthesizers, samplers, soundcards, sequencers, computers and more. A valuable resource for all music technology educators: entry-level through advanced.
18. Home Studio by David Franz, published by Berklee Press, 2004, 244 pp. URL: www.berkleepress.com . Setting up a music studio in the home or school is not a simple process without a good overview of what to do. This book talks about the studio gear and how to develop the skills you need to create quality musical recordings with editing techniques and mixing and mastering.
by Thomas E. Rudolph and Vincent A. Leonard, Jr., published by Berklee Press. URL: Build the perfect digital studio, no matter what your budget. This includes advice and recommendations on studio equipment, software, and the latest technologies, plus practical tips for creating, editing, and mastering a digital recording.
19. Recording In The Digital World by Thomas E. Rudolph and Vincent A. Leonard, Jr., published by Berklee Press. URL: www.berkleepress.com. Build the perfect digital studio, no matter what your budget. This includes advice and recommendations on studio equipment, software, and the latest technologies, plus practical tips for creating, editing, and mastering a digital recording.
20. The MIDI Sequencer in the Music Classroom by Thomas E. Rudolph and Ken Peters, published by GIA Publications, 1997, 45-minute video. This video offers hands-on video demonstrations on how to use entry-level MIDI sequencing software in the general music classroom. It is an outstanding resource using MIDI sequencing in choir, classroom singing, listening and rhythm activities, Orff ensembles, recorders and electronic piano lab. Especially good for music educators who are not techno oriented but appropriate for any one.
21. The Art of Sequencing: A Step By Step Approach (separate book and video available) by Don Muro, published by Warner Bros., 1993, 156 pp. Although published in 1993, the generic MIDI sequencing techniques presented in the text and video are still informative for MIDI keyboard sequencing. The lessons can be applied to any type of sequencer. The video and book versions can be used independently or together.
22. The Basics of Digital Home Recording, Volumes 1, 2, 3 and 4 , published MVP Home Entertainment, 2000. Four 60-minute videos. URL: www.musicvideoproducts.com . Looking for videos appropriate for the classroom? This four video series offers beginning intermediate and advanced digital recording instruction. It is based on classes taught by UCLA Extension.
Music Technology Curriculum
23. Teaching With Reason published by Propellerhead Software. URL: ftp.propellerheads.se/ This is the single, most comprehensive recording curriculum package on the market for the middle/high school and college classrooms. The curriculum is based around a specially adapted version of Propellerhead Software's award-winning Reason program. Every computer in your music lab or classroom can have its own mixing desk, effects units, drum computer, sample players, loop players and analog synths, complete with sounds - not to mention a sequencer for creating the ideas. Every student can have a personal studio with a realistic rack of equipment that you could expect to see anywhere in the world - it even looks the same, down to the rack bolts! Meanwhile, you don't have the hassle of moving equipment, dealing with repairs and worrying about cabling! You can simply concentrate on the teaching. Your Reason adapted program will also integrate with some existing classroom resources. ReWire technology allows this program to be linked to other ReWire capable software ( Steinberg Cubase SX , Emagic Logic , Ableton Live , Digidesign ProTools , Cakewalk Sonar and many more). Student work produced during these curriculum lessons can be extended to other courses by adding audio tracks to existing song material. Sounds supplied with your Reason adapted program can also be used in a stand-alone capacity with other ReWire compatible applications.
24 . What's a...? series, volumes 1 through 6, published by Hal Leonard, 2004 update, 56 pp. to 68 pp. URL: www.halleonard.com. A must series of entry-level music tech books that both students and teachers will enjoy. The titles speak for themselves as a basic library of music tech info: What's MIDI? , What's A Mixer? , What's a Multitrack? , What's a Signal Processor , What's a Sequencer? , and What's A Synthesizer? This series was recently expanded.
25 . General Music Curriculum by Thomas Rudolph, published by SoundTree, 2000, 16 pp. student edition and 44 pp. educator edition. URL: www.soundtree.com. This is entry-level MIDI sequencing instructional materials for the classroom. These two publications come with a Mac/Windows compatible diskette. The teacher's edition contains teaching outcomes, step-by-step approaches, lesson plans and full musical examples.
26. Spotlight on Technology for the Music Classroom by Elizabeth Pontiff, published by Electronic Courseware Systems, 2004, 112. pp. URL: www.ecsmedia.com/indivprods/MENCBooks/MENCebooks.shtml#spotlight. Learn how to teach with technology, make the most of the Internet, buy and use hardware and software, enhance digital and audio recording, and improve classroom administration. This e-book can help music educators manage all aspects of technology in the music classroom. This popular MENC Spotlight series is a compilation of articles previously published in state MEA journals.
27 . Strategies for Teaching Technology by Carolynn Lindeman, published by Electronic Courseware Systems, 2004, 158 pp. URL:
www.ecsmedia.com/indivprods/MENCBooks/MENCebooks.shtml#strategies. Here are practical teaching strategies for using electronic technologies to achieve the National Music Standards. This e-book provides ideas for elementary, middle, and high school teachers in general music and performing ensembles, as well as high school theory, music technology, keyboards, and music history. Strategies range from simple to complex and reflect the diversity teachers face in technology. Compiled and edited by Sam Reese, Kimberly McCord, and Kimberly Walls. This publication includes teaching strategies based on the content and achievement with standards with a preface and an introduction, and a resource list. This volume is recommended for text adoption.
28. A Planning Guide to Successful Computer Instruction by David Peters and John M. Eddins, published by Electronic Courseware Systems, 2003, 76 pp. URL: www.ecsmedia.com/indivprods/planningguide.shtml. This e-book is a guide for persons and institutions considering the implementation of a computer instruction site. Contents include an introduction to computer hardware, selection of computer hardware and courseware, computer instruction site development and management, and sources of hardware and software for educational use.
The Curriculum Dealing with Teaching Standards for Accountability
29 . Teaching Music with Technology , second edition by Thomas E. Rudolph, published by GIA publications, 2004, 468 pp. URL: www.giamusic.com. No question about it, this publication is the guru of music educator reference books. It is a resource book, a method book and a how to book all in one. With 199 teaching strategies, it offers music educators extensive insight into the entire music technology market, instructional materials and most importantly, how to teach it. A must publication for music educators with a companion CD and student assignments, projects, lesson plans and links to web sites for up-to-date technical information.
30. Technology Strategies for Music Education by Thomas E. Rudolph, Floyd Richmond, David Mash and David Williams, publication by TI:ME, 1997, 56 pp. URL: www.ti-me.org . A one-of-a-kind music technology resource that covers the MENC national teaching standards like no other publication. Out of this publication came TI:ME's national music technology certification. It contains an overview of strategies for integrating technology into the music curriculum, areas of competency leading to Ti:ME certification and a description of the Technology Institute for Music Educators.
31 . Music Mentor 1: Teaching Music Technology (an Easy Method for Educators) by Dennis Maurico, published by Roland. URL: www.rolandus.com/superstore/guidebooks.asp.
For the educator who is new to technology (and even those who are more seasoned), this publication gives the tools necessary to teach classes on music technology.
Addendums are included for individual Roland synthesizers, making the teacher's job easier with all the steps necessary to teach the lesson.
32. Electronic Courseware Systems Software Curriculum Guide e-book published by Electronic Courseware Systems. URL: www.ecsmedia.com/indivprods/ecssofrwareguide.shtml . This software curriculum guide is coordinated for 47 different software applications offering an overview of music instruction software, including a description of each product and a correlation to the National Standards from grades pre-K to 12.
33. The Fundamentals of Music Technology: A Course for Secondary Teachers by Dennis Mauricio and Steve Adams, published by Consultant Help Software, 2003 3rd edition, 275 pp. E-mail: steve@chsoftware.com. This comprehensive course of study includes: teacher lecture notes, suggested activities, graphics, additional resource lists, student guide notes, and student quizzes. The Fundamentals of Music Technology is sold through a unique site-license approach: purchasing one copy gives you unlimited photocopy privileges for one site. The convenient three-ring binder format makes photocopying easy. A great music technology class resource for an entry-level music technologist and students.
Recording Studio
34. Practical Recording Techniques, third edition , by Bruce and Jenny Bartlett, published by Elsevier Science & Technology Books, 564 pp. URL: www.books.elsevier.com. It is a great "primer" for those new to recording tech. There is a great "handbook" section of the text on general mic placement for virtually any instrument that one may want to record. Covers: the recording chain, equipping your studio, sound signals and acoustics, monitoring, hum prevention microphones and mic techniques, analog and digital recording, signal processing, mixers, and multitrack recorders and techniques.
35. Yamaha Sound Reinforcement Handbook by Davis and Jones. URL: www.yamaha.com. This is an in-depth handbook for anything related to sound, electronics, gear, and audio and amplification systems. It is kind of the de facto standard for sound reinforcement. This book is the first and only one of its kind to cover all aspects of designing and using such systems for public address and musical performance. It features information on both the audio theory involved and the practical applications of that theory, explaining everything from microphones to loudspeakers.
36. The Art of Mixing by David Gibson and George Petersen, published by Mix, 1997, 126 pp. URL: www.artistpro.com. A great highly illustrated text on creating a good mix for a variety of styles of music. I particularly like the details for most styles, from bluegrass, new age, heavy metal, classical, hip-hop, jazz to rap, and alternative rock. This specialty software book addresses software applications such as MIDI sequencing, digital audio recording, video editing, etc.
Online Tutorials
37. www.artistpro.com - A super online course in basic recording concepts and procedures. It is run by a Artistpro publishing - check out their publications - they are all reputable and solid: understand mixers I, understanding mixers II, essential EQ theory, dynamic processors, expert effects processing, microphone technology, digital audio, hard disk recording, synchronization, recording acoustic drums, recording electric guitar, recording vocals, and understanding MIDI.
38. www.musictheory.net . Offers over 30 music theory lessons plus questions to download.
39. www.pianonany.com . Offers on-line piano instruction lessons for entry-level (13), intermediate (11) and advanced levels (10). Each lessons takes about 35 minutes to complete.
40. www.cakewalk.com/Products/Books/defalut.asp for reference books. Many of them are third-party publications. Also go to: www.cakewalk.com/Search/default.asp and click on search then type in "tutorial" and you will find 46+ on-line tutorials.
41. www.thsmusic.net . Torrington High School Music Technology is a model high school embracing music technology.
42. www.sbomagazine.com/technology.html . Learn from over 35 feature articles on a myriad of appropriate topics for music technology from the School Band & Orchestra magazine.
43. www.mtlc.net . Great articles on MIDI and Sound Systems.
44. www.berkleeshares.com Berklee Shares web site offers free music lessons that you can download, share and trade with your friends and fellow musicians. They consist of individual self-contained music lessons developed by Berklee faculty and alumni as a library of MP3 audio, QuickTime movie, and PDF files. Subjects covered: arranging/songwriting, producing music, brass, winds, guitar, keyboard, bass, drums, music education, music improvisation, and music business/careers. It provides a glimpse into the educational opportunities provided by Berklee.
45. www.kuzmich.com/handouts/bookmarks.html . A good resource of bookmarks for many prominent music education oriented web sites that music educators need to peruse. Particularly strong in MIDI and jazz links.
Publishers of Music Technology Literature
46. Hal Leonard: URL: www.halleonard.com. Extensive library with over 166 published and distributed music technology titles in print and continues to expand.
47. Thomson Course Technology: URL: www.courseptr.com/musitech. Extensive library with over 100 music technology titles in print and continues to expand.
48. Music Sales: URL: www.musicsales.com , www.msc-catalog.com , and www.musicroom.com . Library with 36 books and more being published.
49. Berklee Press: URL: www.berkleepress.com . Offers 20 books and more being published.
50. GIA Publications: URL: www.giamusic.com . Offers 5 books and videos and more being published.
51. RolandUSA. URL: www.rolandusa.com . Offers 25 music technology books and videos in a series: Roland Mentor Series comes with CD and lesson plans.
52. Backbeat Books: URL: www.backbeatbooks.com. Offers 20+ music technology books covering a range of music technology subjects including Reason, GarageBand, ProTools, and others.
Resources for Downloading Legal Tunes
53. iTunes published by Apple Computers. URL: www.apple.com/itunes/download.
iTunes offers two unique features great for music educators. This first is an 24/7 online audio library of nearly 500,000 tunes in all varieties of music, including music for concert bands, orchestra and jazz bands. It is a convenient resource for playing the music for upcoming concerts. Second, it allows you to burn CD's for up to 7 tunes per CD. And all for $.99 per tune. Note: there is a limit of seven copies of each tune for distribution to students. So, I suggest you have seven copies loaned out for upcoming concerts or just play them to your students in class, which serves a purpose. If you are doing marching band outside, just upload your iPod and play the music on the field via the Lone Ranger portable amplification systems. Your students can download the most important tunes from Apple at $.99 and listen to them legally as well. Regardless of how utilize iTunes , your students and you will benefit by hearing the music they are performing. It works on both Macs and Windows.
54. Ipod and iTunes by Brad Miser, published by Que, 2004, 390 pp. URL: www.quepublishing.com . Discover why iTunes is the wave of the future for distribution of music over the Internet, and especially relevant for music teachers. This easy-to-read book explains how to use iTunes to manage the music on your computer and on your iPod, including storing music, creating and using playlists, burning CD's and DVD's and many other music tasks.
Software Products That Offer Online Instructional Applications
55. Musician's Online Practice Planner by Molto Music at: www.moltomusic.com/main.html. Tired of using traditional practice cards, try a web-based electronic card system. Students report their practice by going on-line. You will be amazed at the different kinds of reports you can generate instantly and comprehensively for every class you teach within a second.
56. www.charmsmusic.com by Mike Baker entitled Charms Music Office Assistant . Here is a complete web-based office management system for your school music program. This highly successful on-line service does it all for a music educator. This is a list of areas that the software covers: student records library management, on-line parent calendar, quickly assign uniforms, barcode scanning, teacher-defined categories, varsity jacket points, fee and form collection, upload student handbooks, live tech support, assign sheet music, custom reports, group and individual e-mail, print mailing labels, parent communication log, track attendance for extra events, and other school's music libraries, parent information, fund-raising, accounting, inventory control, activity fund, booster club, quick access hub, band, choir or orchestra, district budget management, print library box labels , and more.
57. www.charmsstudio.com by Mike Baker entitled: Charms Music Studio . Keep student records, schedule lessons payment, and expense tracking, personal library management, order and assign, music on-line calendar, advanced parent communication, barcode scanning, contest management, accept on-line payments, and so much more!
58. www.creatingmusic.com by Morton Subotnick. Creatingmusic.com is a free children's on-line creative music environment for children of all ages. It's a place for kids to compose music, play with musical performance, music games and music puzzles. Discover fun and easy ways to make music on-line!
59. www.baudville.com and www.awardmaker.com . AwardMaker On-Line by Baudville allows you to design and print awards on-line. Imagine creating fancy certificate titles with your school's name, one-of-a-kind graphic titles, clip art, and graphic seals, and then printing them on your printer - without loading any software!
Video Editing
60. Digital Video and Audio Production for Vegas 4.0 by Gary Rebholz and Michael Bryant, published by Sony Pictures. 2003, 166 pp. URL: http://mediasoftware.sonypictures.com. A hands-on guide to creating multimedia with Vegas. There are eight modules of instruction with 5 or more lessons per module. The companion CD provides a comprehensive, step-by-step approach for mastering the professional digital video and audio production software application. Particularly well suited for entry-level users.
61. Vegas 4 Editing Workshop by Douglas Spotted Eagle, published by CMP Books, 2003, 412 pp. URL: www.cmpbooks.com. A beginning to intermediate level tutorial book on mastering Vegas 4.0. It's loaded with tips and tricks to improve workflow. The companion CD includes the 14 comprehensive lessons.
62. Naked Vegas 5 by Doug Sahlin, published by Thomson Course Technology, 2004, 392 pp. URL: www.courseptr.com. Covers the latest version of Vegas 5 with basic yet in-depth material on how to apply smart production principles to your video projects. Particularly valuable as a handy desktop reference for specific video editing tasks as well as numerous tips and "how to" tutorials throughout.
Looking for more resources? Use an Internet search engine, type in "music technology publications" and you will quickly come up a wealth of resources. On Yahoo, I found over 1,890,000 URL's to peruse. For an example of how useful some of them can be, go to www.halpeterson.com/books.html and you will find music technology books exclusively for music educators. There are several not reviewed in this article that are also excellent. On Yahoo , I also searched for music technology tutorials and found over 742,000 resources. Electronic Musician at www.emusician.com has all of their back issue articles from 1985 to 2004 online. School Band &Orchestra magazine has their technology columns at www.sbomagazjne.com/technology.html as does Lentine Music at www.lentine.com/articles/default.htm.
Keep searching for good instructions and you will never grow old in your teaching will always be fresh. If you think "outside-of-the-box" you will be surprised to find what's out there waiting for you that can be easily incorporated into your classroom.
(Sidebar)
One of the most cost effective decisions any music teacher can make is to become a member of TI:ME (Technology Institute for Music Educators). There are many benefits that come with your $35 annual membership. Most notable are the 200 lesson plans on-line. Here's a list of key benefits:
* 200 on-line lesson plans
* Access to the members-only content on the TIME Website.
* A searchable database of lesson plans to help you integrate technology into your teaching.
* Participate in national technology conferences.
* Access to our newsletter, The TIMEs for:
1. Articles on using technology in music teaching.
2. Articles on fundamental concepts in music technology.
3. Tutorials to help you learn music software.
4. Community and support through the TIME members electronic discussion group.
5. Share experiences for optimizing the use of technology in music education.
6. Stay abreast of the fast changing world of technology.
7. Learn how to incorporate the seven areas of technology into your teaching.
8. Learn how to use technology for specific student and teacher applications.
9. Learn how to align technology with the MENC national standards.
10. Be among the leaders in music education using technology in creative ways.
11. Share information about the use of technology with colleagues around the world.