BP17_20091103_Reflective Media Asset

BP16_20091103_Researching and Blogging about Web 2.0 Tools Comment 3

BP15_20091103_Research and Blogging about Web 2.0 Tools Comment 2

BP14_20091103_Researching and Blogging about Web 2.0 tools Comment 1

BP13_20091103_Web 2.0 Tools-Week 3

I have NO idea why I have not used this before! Itunes U is going to be the next Web 2.0 tool that I use in my classroom. Itunes U is a collection of podcasts ranging from video lectures to interviews and includes many different categories. I have always known about podcasts, but just never really thought about how to incorporate it into my classroom. Probably because my district blocks itunes. As I was looking through itunes U, I came across a great podcast that talks about the history of Jazz. I am a huge Jazz lover! I came across a great podcast talking about jazz pianist Bill Evans, his influence, and how he lead the way for future jazz pianists in the 1960’s and 1970’s. As I was listening to the podcast, all I could think about was how this was a goldmine.

In my classroom, I like to teach my students how specific genres came about. For instance, every year I l like to teach my students the history of Hip-Hop. I would like to stretch myself even more and begin teaching students about the history of Jazz. This history of Jazz collection would be a great tool for students to use to learn more about this particular genre.

It would be great to use one of these podcasts for a quiz. I would require the students listen to a particular podcast through the week. After they have the week to listen and absorb, I would give a quiz at the end of the week. This quiz would have questions that the students could answer only by listening to the 12 minute podcast. This a great way for students to learn what a powerful tool itunes U can be. And the next best thing about itunes U is that the podcasts are free. All students can access it and it doesn’t cost a dime!

BP12_20091102_Reflective Media Asset

Google Doc Commercial

BP11_20091102_Flicker Lesson Plan

Galleries in Flickr

I just read a blog that had a lesson plan on Flickr's galleries. This feature allows students to upload images on one coherent theme. What a great idea!

I am thinking this gallery feature would be a fun way to show the different types of musical instruments. Students could group the instruments into different themes such as strings, woodwinds, brass, etc. And it doesn't stop there! Students could also associate different instruments to certain genres of music. The possibilities are endless!

With a little bit of an imagination, it is quite amazing that technology can be a part of a music class.