http://cyclingtroll.edublogs.org My updates on Music, Education and Technology Thu, 29 May 2008 10:11:23 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en A long time between posts, I know.  By some strange miracle I have made it to the end of another school year and on reflection, it was a fairly fulfilling year.  My programs were more organized than ever, and I have immersed myself more fully into the technologies that will ... http://cyclingtroll.edublogs.org/2008/05/29/end-of-the-agrigarian-school-year/ I've now got the hang of Wiki. For me, it's easiest to think of it as a large filing cabinet in the office that everyone has access to. Just got done setting one up for a recording project. So far, so good... TH http://cyclingtroll.edublogs.org/2008/04/25/the-wiki-phenomenon/ http://www.techlearning.com/blog/2008/03/web_20_is_the_future_of_educat_1.php A blog entry for the future of education- TH http://cyclingtroll.edublogs.org/2008/04/08/14/ So I'm fully ensconced in learning various online tools.  The previous post has an embedded video that I created using jing (jingproject.com), a very slick utility that allows you to create videos using screenshots from your desktop + audio from your built in microphone.  Very cool - suffice it to ... http://cyclingtroll.edublogs.org/2008/04/08/how-to-well-you-gotta-practice/ Hi folks - here's a lesson plan that I used recently with my 4th graders on the history of the guitar.  I'm still getting the hang of embedding video, so I apologize for the gargantuan proportion of the video.  Also note that YOUR controls are at the very bottom of ... http://cyclingtroll.edublogs.org/2008/04/08/history-of-the-guitar-lesson/ I'm currently researching options for seamless online songwriting collaboration.  I have a friend who will soon be moving away - and my brother who lives about two hours drive away; it will really streamline our lives if we can figure out how to easily toss tracks back and forth.  This site, ... http://cyclingtroll.edublogs.org/2008/04/07/kompoz-a-user-friendly-opportunity-for-collaboration/ I had a great time presenting my fourth grade lesson on the history of the guitar yesterday.  I've presented this lesson before, but I added some content to the lesson that really kept the students engaged.  I created a slideshow presentation showing photos and facts about early string instruments (it only took about ... http://cyclingtroll.edublogs.org/2008/04/03/a-slick-lesson-if-i-do-say-so-myself/ Need  help understanding what all the fuss is about RSS readers, wikis, blogs, and other techie internet stuff?  Check this out!  They make it easy to understand stuff that's new!  TH http://commoncraft.com/ http://cyclingtroll.edublogs.org/2008/04/01/need-current-techie-help/ GENERAL TIPS Play your kick drum on the beat when you practice your snare exercises. Count out loud as you play- it really helps! Always practice new material slowly.  You can always increase the tempo later, but being in control of what you are playing is the most important thing! http://cyclingtroll.edublogs.org/2008/04/01/some-general-things-for-practice/ I want my drum students to be defined as proactive in their learning; I want them to take ownership of their learning.  That's what this area of my blog is all about.  Be sure to subscribe so you don't miss anything!  TH http://cyclingtroll.edublogs.org/2008/04/01/students-redefined/