Final Blog!

Well, here we are at the end of the semester! I'm ALMOST sad to say that I won't be using this blog after EDT 400 is over :( However, I stand (or sit, rather) corrected about blogs- they are not as bad as I thought... It wasn't a hassle for me to keep updating and I actually like reading other peoples blogs! So there you have it, I enjoyed having a blog this semester! Thanks, Ed.

YIKES!

I went home on Thursday and spent some time with my mother in school. Thursday was the day before their April Break and all the students had to turn in their laptops for the week. It was SHOCKING to me to see that these students we flipping out over turning in these laptops. One week without them was like one week without a leg or an arm... It was so funny to see these students try anything to keep them!
I know that the MLTI program is really fantastic and a great opportunity for students, but seeing what I did on Thursday makes me question it. Are these students becoming TOO reliable on their laptops? No one should be getting THAT upset about one week without them. I guess it's bitter sweet..

I'm beginning to realize how important it is for me to get an external hard drive. My computer is working really hard whenever I do anything like open a word document or open the Internet. It's making terribly frightening noises and I'm afraid I'm going to lose everything!

Too bad I'm too lazy to go to Best Buy and get one...

What not to do

So I've been on tour with the University Singers for the past week. We toured all down the east coast and then up to Montreal for a night, performing 3 concerts a day. While I was on tour I actually realized what I could write about that would apply to the topic that Ed gave us. We have a student conductor who is graduating this May and she is a nightmare. She is one of the rudest, most ignorant people I've ever met, and she is constantly screaming at us when we are rehearsing her song. Just because she doesn't like one or two of the singers she takes it out on the whole group. In a professional setting, when you dislike a student you can never treat them differently or react in a completely explosive way. Many of the singers are going to be teachers and we have discussed this before. She is a perfect example of what not to do.

Oppositely, we have another assistant conductor who is so nice and a pleasure to sing for. He never yells and obviously has a real passion for music. He could not be more on the other end of the spectrum from our female conductor. He is everything that I hope to emulate as a teacher.

Our primary conductor, Dr. Dennis Cox, is probably one of the most influential people in my life. He is, I believe, the greatest teacher I have ever come across. Not only is he absolutely brilliant at what he does, but he is so willing to help his students and teach them about music, not just conduct a piece. Everyone in singers respects him and looks up to him. I hope that someday I can be just like him, and teach with the grace that he does.

Blah Blah Blogs

I finally taught myself how to share educational blogs on my own blog.  They're on the right...

Anyways.  One of the blogs is from the perspective of a new high school English teacher.  His blog talks a lot about literature that he is covering, and the struggles of being a new teacher.  This guy looks pretty cool.  The other blog I have is from a music educators perspective.  This woman discusses new ideas to teach music and she even writes about her favorite artists like Tracy Chapman.  I really enjoy looking at this blog because music has a lot of influence in my life.  I'm hoping that by graduating with a music minor, maybe I'll be able to teach music classes to young children!

Finally, the third blog I posted isn't really educational at all.  It's about theatre.  I know, I know, it's suppose to be an educational blog- but I couldn't find any about Theatrical Education- something I am also very interested in with my theatre minor.  This blog is from the perspective of a theatre critic.  I really love reading what she has to say and she's funny and is obviously very passionate about theatre.

Maybe I'll find another educational blog later.

Grammar!

So I found this GREAT website that is all about grammar!  

www.grammar.quickandeasytips.com

I LOVE grammar.  I think that this site is a great way to incorporate fun lessons into an English curriculum.  On the site, "Grammar Girl" gives a podcast everyday explaining the new tip for the day.  I really enjoyed listening to her speak.  You can listen to the podcast on your computer, or you can download it!

I guess that's all.. I've been using my cell phone as a calculator in one of my classes, and it's really getting frustrating.  I think I should buy a calculator...

music is what feelings sound like

So I just read Jordan's blog about iPod use in the classroom during tests and whatnot, and I decided that it was a great connection to music in general in the class room!  When I was in high school, teachers always played piano music during tests and quizzes.  I calmed the students down and made for a more placid environment.  I looked online at real results for this and found a web site that was discussing a study of classical piano music in operating rooms.  They concluded that the patients that had classical piano music playing during surgery had significantly lower blood pressure and heart rate than those patients without music!  

I like to listen to the George Winston Summer Collection when I do my homework.  It really helps!  Anyone else listen to something of the same variety?

Other Technologies

So, I was discussing this class with my musical director for the play, and he gave me a great idea for a blog post: the technology that goes into performing theatre.  We use technology that people don't even think about.  In this particular musical we have a revolving turn table in the middle of the stage.  There is a HUGE motor that controls the whole thing, and all together it weights about 6500 lbs!  Another more obvious aspect of theatre is the lighting.  I went up to the catwalk yesterday to check out the lights and realized how extremely complicated it can be.  We have hundred of lights that are controlled by a large light board.  And sound!  Not only do we have live music in the pit, but there are also sound effects that need to be recorded and put into a particular order in the sound booth so they play at the right time.  I never realized how much technology is used in a show until I actually checked it out for myself!  Props to the guys that run this stuff, they are brilliant!  

Too Much Tech?

So here is my first blog.  Ed says talk about technology so I guess there are a few things I can talk about... First, something I've mentioned before is about lap tops in school.  In my high school students were given lap tops when they were in 7th grade to have for the rest of their undergraduate career.  I was always jealous that these students got lap tops and my grade didn't.  I realize now how LUCKY we were not NOT have these computers at our every whim.  Not only does the class of 2007 have excellent penmanship, but we also are not DEPENDENT on these devises.  I can recall the students giving the laptops away for summer vacation and some students actually CRYING about it.  You would think that they are appendages.  Like they're losing their left arm or something!  I'm so grateful that I am not attached to my computer like these guys are. Second, cell phones!  I got a cell phone when I was 15.  I begged my parents for one and they gave me this little brick.  It was a Nokia and I think I only used it to call my mother.  Now kids that are 9 years old have cell phones.  My 10 year old cousin has been begging for one for about 2 years.  I asked him this past Christmas who he would be calling with his cell phone and he replied frankly, "momma."  My 7 year old cousin is a text messenger.  She uses my cell phone to send texts to her mother.  She is almost quicker than I am.  I am absolutely astounded by these children who have the intellect to comprehend devises like these!  I was no where near this level of comprehension when I was 8.  Times are changing.  For better or for worse?