will be able to access your plans if needed. You can also leave comments for your administrator on each week of plans. If you like the old planners with squares for each class, PlanbookEdu will be very comfortable for you. Currently there is not an app available for iPad or iPhone but it is fully accessible for view- ing and limited entry on your pad’s browser.
Planbook ($12/year, free trial and discounts for multiple teach- ers;
planbook.com) does have a free app. It is a bit easier to customize and has most if not all of the same features as Plan- bookEdu. It allows you to make a custom schedule and class templates and share your lessons online with students or other teachers.
iLesson Plans ($3.99; the App Store) is a lesson planning app that allows you to archive, rate, comment, print and email your plans. You can customize the screen to organize and accommo- date highly detailed plans, or simplify for a different approach. The rating and commenting features are very useful for lessons you plan to use again.
Try learning apps for remediation or accommoda- tion (Free to $25+ through the App Store)
There are many music education apps available for any level of learning. Choosing the right app can be a difficult task. A good strategy is to stick with free or low-cost apps as much as possible not only to save on cost but to have the opportunity to test drive a free version of a paid app before purchase. Music learning apps can be used on a single pad to remediate students who are having difficulties with notation concepts. They can also be used to accommodate special learners or to differentiate instruction for a small group.
For K-2 learners, ABC Music ($1.99, the App Store) is a good app for learning instruments. Non-western instruments are in- cluded, the audio and video quality is quite good and simple in- teractive exercises are part of each segment. Seuss Band ($0.99, the App Store) is great for pure fun but can also be used for improvisation. I like to project ABC Music and pass the pad around to my kindergarten students. It makes a fun learning break between lesson components and can also be a good emer- gency activity to quiet an over-active class without sacrificing learning.
Upper elementary learners can learn about notation through Rhythm Cat Lite (free, the App Store) and StaffWars ($0.99, the App Store). These apps are good for review, remediation or accommodating special needs learners. Students like them because they use a gaming approach and make practicing read- ing skills enjoyable.
Students of all ages benefit from working with GarageBand for iPad (free through the App Store, additional instruments and sounds $4.99). Recording or manipulating loops is an exciting way for students to learn about form, composition and impro- visation. This obviously works best in a 1:1 environment, but
you can also project a teacher pad or have small groups work collaboratively on one pad.
Make the digital classroom leap with Edmodo (Free at
edmodo.com)
Many school districts have recently launched Google Class- room. It is a great way to make materials available for students and is also easy for students to submit their work to you digi- tally. But what do you do if your upper elementary students don’t have Google accounts? Edmodo easily fills that gap. It has a look and feel similar to Facebook, which makes it quick for students to learn. Teachers can post links, quizzes and as- signments, including audio or video files, to a complete class or a small group. Assessments are graded and results can be downloaded in Excel format. Discussion boards give students an opportunity to discuss material in an appropriate and safe environment with teacher guidance. Students and teachers are required to sign up for an account with a user name and pass- word. Edmodo accounts can be used from any computer with internet access or, with a free app, from a tablet or smart phone. I have found many of my students check their accounts from home daily and will quickly find recorder parts or worksheets. I also like to leave lesson materials with an assessment that students can complete within a set period of time, all outside of music class. Flipping the classroom gives us more time for music making during class time, where we use those skills stu- dents have learned on their own. The percentage of homework assignments completed has more than doubled for me since switching to Edmodo from paper worksheets and I have the added bonus of not having to grade them all by hand.
No matter which new tech tool you decide to use make sure to take a moment to check your hardware for compatibility. If you think a tool like Doceri or Edmodo is something you would like to try, ask your building colleagues if they are using them or prefer similar tools. Social media groups (the Music Teacher groups on Facebook, for example) can also be a great resource for feedback or questions. When using a new tech tool in the classroom make sure to have a backup plan on hand. Technical difficulties happen to everyone, even with lots of preparation and practice, so be easy on yourself and don’t stress. Last but not least, don’t forget to enjoy the thrill of seeing your students eager to learn.
Do you have questions or issues concerning technology that you would like to see covered in future editions of the MME? Email them to Denise at
dlewis@wpcschools.org.
Denise Lewis is a graduate of the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University and teaches K-5 music and technology for White Pigeon Community Schools. She is in her 20th year of teaching and cur- rently serves as Instructional Technology Coordinator & Webmaster on the MMEA Board.
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