Computers and KeyboardsWe have all 8 computer and
keyboard stations connected together through MIDI interface cables. As of
August, 2007 we connected all keyboards to the computers using USB cables, a
much more economical way to make the connections. The keyboards are used to
enter notes onto the screen in Sibelius when creating compositions. Students
also enter notes into the computer in note reading drills in Music Ace and
Alfred's Theory Games, along with some use in the Groovy music series by
Sibelius. We also use Alfred Midi files on the computer as an accompaniment with
the students as they practice on their keyboards. All computers have splitter
cables to split the sound between the keyboard, speakers and headphones. This
helps me to have the students practice on their own or practice with the entire
class. We do not have funding available for a group education controller, but
hope to be able to purchase one in the future. The computers are either Windows
98 PC's or Windows XP PC's that I repaired on my own from obsolete computers no
longer being used at our school. We have limited Internet access in our room. I
post our websites on each stand-alone computer so students may work on the
quizzes and other lessons if time is available during class.
janie reneau on 26 Mar 11Amy Burns gives her professional opinion on whether or not children in the younger grades benefit from using technology in the music room. Her opinion is yes and she bases it on her experiences using MENC standards and the keyboard lab with Soundtree technology installed in a lab at her Far Hills Country Day School.The article was written for professional general music teachers.She learned along with her students which gave them something in common. She concluded that using technology, especially composition, excited them and made them sucessful. There were accompanying links on the page which added to her conclusions.
