Thing 18 - Virtual Classrooms

For this thing I looked at different tools that will  provide online learning environments. Some option are Moodle and Blackboard. I have opened a Moodle account and I am still trying to find ways to incorporate this into my teaching. I do like the idea of students being able to go home and have access to materials and resources. One site that I am trying to implement into my classroom is SmartMusic. This is a practicing tool students can use at home when they practice their instruments. It is also a communication tool between the students and myself. When the students are at home they can go to this site and pull up the music that we are working on in class. They then play into the microphone and the program assess their performance. It shows the students on the screen which notes and rhythms they played correct and which ones they missed. I can also give students assignments that they need to perform for me and send a recording to me through the program. On my end I can hear what they have submitted and I can comment on it and send it right back to the students. The one problem I have with implementing this program is not all students have internet access, so they need to have access at school. Because students have to play into the computer you can not use a computer lab. I really need to have computers in my band room for the practice rooms. The program also costs money to have access to it. This is something that we could find a way to manage with fundraisers and our booster program, but the computers in the classroom are the main problem right now.  I am going to keep working to find a way because I feel this program is a great way for me to really know what students are doing at home for practicing.

I also looked at a site that takes you through the roles and responsibilities of online learning. I took a look at the students view. In order for a student to be a successful online learner they need to have a lot of self motivation and responsibility. There is not always going to be someone hovering over them to make sure they stay on task. They also need to have access to computers and the internet. Not all students have this at home so the students need to see if something will be available at school. Students also need to know if there is going to be assistance available from someone at school for any online class they take. I believe that there are some students that will be great at online learning, but it is not for everyone.