In my recent trolling of the internet, I found a group called the Technology Institute for Music Educators, or TI:ME. Their site has a few resources for teachers which connect them to the technology available in the music classroom.
TI:ME also has state chapters with their own pages for blogs, news and events, group discussions, and even lesson plans. The best options are available only to the paying members of the group, and the individual fee is $85 a year for an individual. You also receive subscriptions to a couple music tech publications.
It looks like a good resource if you're willing to pay the fee. Being a poor college student, it's not something that I'm prepared to do just yet, but I probably will when I'm a teacher.
Monday, December 8, 2008
Monday, December 1, 2008
Yay!
I just wanted to add this personal note:
I finally have my own computer! I shudder to think how long I have gone through college without a computer of my own, and I won't deny that it was pretty hard. Professors (and everyone else for that matter) assume that everyone has a computer, so they assign work accordingly.
There is a lot of frustration in not having a computer of ones own, and there is a certain amount of embarrassment too. You don't want to admit that your one of the only people who doesn't have a computer or internet access at home. I'm writing about this partly because I'm happy to finally be connected (kind of, I still don't have internet at home but my laptop has wireless.) I'm also writing to bring the uneven distribution of technology into conversation.
Teachers can not assume that students have equal access to technology. Technology can be a status symbol, so some students my never even tell you that they don't have a home computer, or that it's hard for them to get computer time.
What can we do for these kids?
I finally have my own computer! I shudder to think how long I have gone through college without a computer of my own, and I won't deny that it was pretty hard. Professors (and everyone else for that matter) assume that everyone has a computer, so they assign work accordingly.
There is a lot of frustration in not having a computer of ones own, and there is a certain amount of embarrassment too. You don't want to admit that your one of the only people who doesn't have a computer or internet access at home. I'm writing about this partly because I'm happy to finally be connected (kind of, I still don't have internet at home but my laptop has wireless.) I'm also writing to bring the uneven distribution of technology into conversation.
Teachers can not assume that students have equal access to technology. Technology can be a status symbol, so some students my never even tell you that they don't have a home computer, or that it's hard for them to get computer time.
What can we do for these kids?
Auto-Tune
It's likely that most people have not heard of Auto-Tune, but it's equally likely that most people have heard Auto-Tune. It's been taken to extremes by many artists, from Cher to Kanye West, to achieve a "digital" sound effect. Originally however, the point was that you wouldn't hear Auto-Tune, you would just hear a pitch perfect performance.
What is Auto-Tune? It's an audio processor that was created to correct pitch in real time. In other words, if you're recording and you are using Auto-Tune, you could be a little flat or sharp, and the processor will correct it immediately and automatically. In fact many pop and country singers have admitted to using Auto-Tune not just in the studio, but in live performances as well. The question of what makes a live performance, live and "real" aside, there are some concerns with the use of this technology.
The program can be downloaded, for free in some cases. The problem is that many students and prospective students use audition recordings to gain entrance to music schools, or to receive scholarships. How does one know if they are listening to a real performance or an altered one? An audition, particularly for entering school should be unaltered so the teachers can figure out how to help the student become a better musician. Clearly, an in person audition is preferable, but it's not always possible. It seems unfair to deny some the chance to audition merely because they can not be there in person, or because the technology for them to cheat exists.
Here's my question; how do we make recorded auditions fair and "real"?
What is Auto-Tune? It's an audio processor that was created to correct pitch in real time. In other words, if you're recording and you are using Auto-Tune, you could be a little flat or sharp, and the processor will correct it immediately and automatically. In fact many pop and country singers have admitted to using Auto-Tune not just in the studio, but in live performances as well. The question of what makes a live performance, live and "real" aside, there are some concerns with the use of this technology.
The program can be downloaded, for free in some cases. The problem is that many students and prospective students use audition recordings to gain entrance to music schools, or to receive scholarships. How does one know if they are listening to a real performance or an altered one? An audition, particularly for entering school should be unaltered so the teachers can figure out how to help the student become a better musician. Clearly, an in person audition is preferable, but it's not always possible. It seems unfair to deny some the chance to audition merely because they can not be there in person, or because the technology for them to cheat exists.
Here's my question; how do we make recorded auditions fair and "real"?
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