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.