Storify

Assignment: Using Storify, students will use various social and multimedia components to create a digital story about a recent concert from one of the Michigan State University College of Music ensembles.

Uses in the classroom: Students will assemble various media posts available online to create a digital synopsis of the performance containing video, pictures, social media posts, and possible sound recordings.

The story should contain social media posts relevant to the performance, biographical information on at least one of the composers, video of the performance (if publicly available), video or audio samples of some of the other works performed. A brief evaluation of the performance should be included (if attended). If not attended, program notes on one of the pieces should be included that describe the music in detail.

Finished stories can be shared with the rest of class for learning purposes.

Issues to consider: Performances may or may not be recorded professionally and, if so, will need to be acquired legally. Copyright will need to be explained to all students to avoid illegal distribution (if the concert was recorded--it is also possible that music being performed may be old enough to be in the public domain). However, as the purpose of the recording is for educational and critique purposes, fair-use may be in play.

It may be worthwhile to organize a class trip to a large performance for interested students to make it easier for students to attend a performance.

A sample of a Storify presentation is available below or here.

Copyright:

Digital story created using Storify

Kindergarters learn digital art by Kevin Jarrett, hosted by Flickr and shared via Creative Commons.

12 Principles of Multimedia Learning. (n.d.). Retrieved December 7, 2014, from http://hartford.edu/academics/faculty/fcld/data/documentation/technology/presentation/powerpoint/12_principles_multimedia.pdf

Can Technology Change Education? Yes!: Raj Dhingra at TEDxBend. (n.d.). Retrieved December 7, 2014, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l0s_M6xKxNc

K.K. Music Identity Project. (2014, March 13). Retrieved December 7, 2014, from https://soundcloud.com/kakoza17/k-k-music-identity-project-1

Larson, L., Miller, T., & Ribble, M. (2009). 5 Considerations for Digital Age Leaders. Retrieved December 7, 2014, from http://www.digitalcitizenship.net/uploads/LLDecArticle.pdf

RSA Animate - Changing Education Paradigms. (n.d.). Retrieved December 7, 2014, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDZFcDGpL4U

Technology in the Classroom: Digital Media. (n.d.). Retrieved December 7, 2014, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HbVKPhVCRFI

Using Digital Media to Extend the Classroom Beyond School. (n.d.). Retrieved December 7, 2014, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xeNoj7hbjAk

Diversity Mind Map

Assignment: Students will use online resource Gliffy (or other appropriate program) to create a mind map showing the diverse backgrounds of the students in their own ensemble. Using this mind map, students will then need to develop teaching/leadership strategies that may used to help embrace all of those backgrounds while preparing chamber music performances.

Uses in the classroom: Though students will need to create their mind map using information gained from their peers via discussion, recognize relationships between backgrounds, and construct meaningful plans based on that research, the real benefit in the assignment is increasing students awareness of those around them and their ability to not only embrace that diversity but to find a way to thrive in it.

This assignment is also mean to foster leadership and independent learning skills as students rehearse their music with minimal teacher guidance.

Issues to consider: Students will need access to the internet to at least create mind maps and possibly to help understand student backgrounds they have not previously encountered. Students will also require adequate time to meet with their peers to adequately interview them and learn about their similarities/differences (it may be necessary to provide students with guidance in what types of questions to ask).

It is assumed that all students already have appropriate small ensemble music and at least one veteran member with adequate experience to help guide others through learning.

An example of a mind map related to diversity can be seen below. A larger, easier to read version is also available here.

Copyright:

Mind map created using Gliffy

Assistive Technology for Kids with Learning Disabilities: An Overview. (n.d.). Retrieved December 6, 2014, from http://www.readingrockets.org/article/assistive-technology-kids-learning-disabilities-overview

Diversity. (n.d.). Retrieved December 6, 2014, from https://www.nde-ed.org/TeachingResources/ClassroomTips/Diversity.htm

Hudson, D. (n.d.). Diverse Hands Painting. Retrieved December 5, 2014, from http://www.publicdomainpictures.net/view-image.php?image=85761&picture=diverse-hands-painting

Strategies for Working with Diverse Students: A Research Review. (n.d.). Retrieved December 4, 2014, from http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/uploadedFiles/departments/clusteradmin/equity/Strategies%20for%20Working%20with%20Diverse%20Learners.pdf