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MUE 332: Methods and Materials II Technology
 Technology Portfolio
 Jonathan Smith
email me
Spring 2003
Recommendations and Reflections
 
Pre-Assessment Reflection I would define my current level of technological interest as that of exploration (2).  Although I have used the internet often throughout the last 6 years, I have never learned such skills as creating a website.  Most of my computer experience has been mp3 file sharing and chatting on instant messengers with friends.  I have occassionally used Microsoft Powerpoint outside of the classroom setting for various purposes.
I have a great interest in improving my computer skills.  I have been thinking about creating a website for the current rock band that I belong to and this course will enable me to do that.  I also see the potential help that a greater grasp of technology can give me in the teaching field. 
Join a Listserv There are many benefits to joining a Listserv.  The most prominent one that I found was that it made it easier to communicate with my partner for my online lesson and collaborate on when we could get together to work on it.  It also enabled me to fix a number of problems that I was having with my site, particularly my inability to create links and properly upload changes made to my site.  I would recommend joining a Listserv to anyone who is just getting started with building a website, it allows you to get answers to questions that you have even if you are unable to meet with the person who has the answers.
 Establish your own Web Space http://taragon1.tripod.com/index.html
Software Recommendation Guitar 101 (The Fender Method):
I think that this is a fairly strong program for independant use outside of the classroom.  The lecture type lessons would probably bore an entire class or students and bring up classroom management issues.  This program is especially useful if used as an aid in correcting some bad habits that an intermediate guitar player might have.  Because guitar tends to be taught by musicians rather than college music education graduates there will undoubtedly be some players out there who are good at reading music and playing music but may have some technical problems that need to be fixed.  This program is also good for inspiring beginners to be more open to other styles of guitar playing besides electric, primarily because of the demonstrations done by the program guide.  I would recommend this program to any private teacher that wants their guitar student to have a stronger technique.
Website Recommendation The Richmond "Kodaly" site is very useful as a supplimentary tool in teaching elementary school children basic harmonic dictation.  I would recommend that it be used for practice after the students have been taught the handsigns for each level covered in the site.  Though this site is an excellent site for independantly practicing melodic dictation, it is dependant on the teacher giving the proper instructions on how to use the site and the teacher educating the children in the Kodaly method before using it.
Link to Dr. Richmond's Kodaly Site
WebQuest Recommendation The Mozart and Salieri scavenger hunt is an excellent way of educating children in the field of music history.  It has a solid structure and a wealth of information.  It is also very user friendly and has a very straight-forward set of objectives.  Another strength of this site is that it encourages the students to think critically by analyzing both composers' music and comparing and contrasting their styles.  The powerpoint presentation, which is the last part of the process, is a great way to inspire creativity and allow students to further individualize their work.  The only real flaw that this site has is that the linked site containing the music of both composers won't play.  It would probably be a good idea to have music on hand by both composers if this anomally is not fixed.  I highly recommend this site to anyone who wishes to teach music history and appreciation at the middle school level.
Link to Mozart and Saliere Site
Online Lesson The main objective of my webquest is to educate students in the field of guitar history.  I am fairly proud of what I've created.  There were many pictures and logos used to make the site more attractive.
http://taragon1.tripod.com/lesson.html
http://taragon1.tripod.com/teacher.html
Post-Assessment Reflection Post Assessment Essay