Technology - It's Impact on Education and Our Lives

Technology, as defined in the reading is “used in reference to computers and related digital tools that can be used to help humans develop an understanding of concepts and skills necessary to create, perform and respond to music.”  (Bauer, 2014)  Technology is as much a part of one’s life as music is. 

As a minor techie, observations of my students and the community at large, shows how much technology impacts our society.  Most students have cell phones, laptops, tablets or iPads/iPods attached to wireless speakers.  Other members of society have the same items, in addition to wireless earpieces, segues and the like.

In general education, technology is present via the use of smart boards and computers in the classroom.  From elementary school, students are exposed to game-like learning using the boards and/or computers, but some are left behind if their districts cannot afford current technology.  As a result, “technology use is often not commonplace.” (Bauer, 2014)

Today’s students (our youth) are labeled digital natives while adults (teachers, parents) are digital immigrants.  These labels, while both comical and true, provided me with a chuckle as I considered my interactions with students and their parents as it relates to technology. The students find the technology so easy and comfortable and the parents are literally afraid.

TPACK – Technological Pedagogical and Content Knowledge – the model used to intersect technological, pedagogical and content knowledge.  Technology in this model is “a tool to serve the learning of subject matter content.”  (Bauer, 2014)  Content is the understanding of the subject matter, while pedagogical knowledge is the understanding of general principles.

Utilizing programs like Sibelius, Finale, Logic and Garageband, students will be exposed to industry-changing tools used in music production today.  These programs should only be utilized after students demonstrate an advanced understanding of music’s basics to include theory and/or advanced placement classes.  Online programs like Incredibox can be used to have students explore their musical creativity.

The following link is a mix I created in Incredibox (but did not share) for one of our week 1 assignments for MUE6696.  It is an example of how students can have fun while learning:  http://www.incredibox.com/mix/55E3947CA09C1-V2