Learning Styles

      I have always found Gardner's theory of Multiple intelligences both interesting and confusing.  I believe there is some truth to his theory, but it is a little confusing on how they keep coming up with more intelligences to add to the list.  I would love to see his theory in relation to what part (s) of the brain match up with each intelligence.  I always thought it would help provide some validity to this theory by coupling with some Nero-science research. 
     I think in general all can learn from different learning styles.  But some individuals learn more effectively from one rather than another.  For me I have always felt comfortable in public speaking rolls and learning through audio so verbal and linguistics would probably be an area of intelligence that I would be high in.  The action of interacting with people and being in leadership rolls has also has been one of my strengths.  This would suggest that I would be score high in interpersonal intelligence.  Hopefully the fact that I am a music teacher would suggest that I would excel in the category of musical intelligence.  I know through my struggles with mathematics that mathematical intelligence would not be my strength.  This would also suggest that my ability to conceptualize material might be a little weak.  I have never been an athlete and I know that in general my center of gravity is not strong this might also apply that I am not especially strong in the area of bodily/Kinesthetic intelligence. 
   It is impossible to teach to every student's favored learning style.  It is also not a good idea to not do a specific learning style because a student does not excel in that specific one.  If anything pushing kids in styles they are not comfortable in is just important as hitting on the ones they are good at.  As an educator it is important to vary all the intelligences as much as possible in the classroom.  This will push your students in their weaker areas while giving all students a fair chance to be successful.  It will also push your own teaching in areas where you may personally lacking.  This varied focus will promote balance in the classroom and should be something we all strive for.     

Creatie Commons

Contra Tubas---Comparing and wining 

Photo Attribution: 
Original Photo: "Horn Luggage"
http://www.flickr.com/photos/46042146@N00/2651120527
By: Randy Robertson

Released under an Attribution-Non-Commercial-Share Alike License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/

       There are a few ways I might incorporate this image into my Curriculum.  These instruments are usually used by very competitive marching bands.  I could use it as a starting point to answer:  What is a contra?  This instrument is a kind of tuba that is carried on the shoulder and is used in place of the traditional sousaphone.  I would then proceed to explain the pros and cons of using these instruments.  The pros would be that they are very cool looking (especially if you are band geek) that they can be converted for concert season, and that it can be used for horn visuals on the field.  The cons would include that their intonation (tuning) can be really bad, they are awkward to carry, and that when you convert them for concert season they are sub-par when compared to high quality concert tubas.  

        Another way I might use this photo is after a marching band performance where I notice that the horn angles are off.  Often times students with the lightest instruments (flute) complain the most about maintaining a proper marching posture.  I might use this as a joke or as a lead in i.e....Well complain more about how heavy your flute is and we will make you march a contra!!!!  Or I might use it as a lead in as lesson on pride.  Even when this particular contra line is not performing they are still respecting their instruments and look uniformed.  I might go into more of the history of marching band and how this respect comes out of the military tradition. 

The below link is a picture of me from a concert rehearsal.  This photo was was set to a Creative Commons license. 

Take off!

RSS Page Reflection

I have been really getting into blogging for the past year.  But, I have to admit I get a little self conscious about posting on sites that I know a-lot of people will read.  I also have split my time posting on political sites and music sites (so obviously for this one I'll share a music education one for this assignment.) I posted in a blog for band directors about a week ago.  Since posting it has gotten a little over 500 views.  I posted on article on searching for band literature that is lyrical well at the same time has difficult percussion writing.  For this post I emailed a well known wind band composer and used his insights (with his permission) as part of my blog.  This is a private blog, but I will include a screen shot and the link. password=grainger
 
I check multiple blogs daily, and through this assignment I have added some educational technology related blogs.  It has been interesting following the blogs and the excitement and skepticism that the apple's textbook announcements have made.  This has been claimed to be revolutionary by some bloggers, others as the downfall of reading as we know it, to just the first step in the path of the paper less revolution.  I have enjoyed following the multitude of views on this technology.  The band director's blog that I posted on is fun to follow just because in three posts you will have array of subjects and materials.  One day it is an article with beta software on turning your projector into an interactive force in the band room, another day an article and documents on how to seat (where to place the instrumentalists) in your band, and another day an article about teaching a lesson on jazz music in Harlem.  The band director's blog really has influenced my teaching on a daily basis. 

I think the most important reason why I should continue to follow the various blogs is due to the fact just like education, technology is an ever evolving process.  The various blogs have taught me a range of different techniques on teaching brass instruments, using recording equipment, to how to effectively teaching tuning techniques to beginning instrumentalists.  I have taken these lessons and used them effectively in my classroom.  Sometimes I try different things from the blogs and it doesn't work. This is all part of the process, and that kind of experimentation makes me a better educator.  The new technology blogs that I am following will help me be a part of technological discussions at my school and maybe make me feel confident enough to be part of a committee when it comes to upgrading equipment.  Online collaboration and following the newest technology is exciting and I feel that it has to be a mandatory part of what I bring into my classroom on a regular basis.