Erin M. Grady's ePortfolio

Technology

The teacher is adept with technology and can use various technological apparatus, tools, and software to enhance the learning of their students and provide for greater efficiency in their roles as a teacher.

Since I was a little girl playing around on my family's IBM Compatible computer, I have always enjoyed experimenting with technology. Then, it was merely a source of entertainment. Now, it has become a powerful tool for improving my teaching.

The ways in which technology can be helpful in a music classroom seem limited only by the imagination. The Internet is a valuable resource for students and teachers alike, when used judiciously. Multimedia technology is a great way to address diverse student learning styles during classroom instruction. Technology can be incorporated into concerts in a number of ways, from involving students in the process of making and processing recordings of the concerts to incorporating video presentations accompanying pieces.

Since technology can be used in such a wide variety of ways, I have tried to keep myself knowledgeable of as many of its tools as possible. I am proficient in the standard Microsoft Office tools of Word, Excel, Access, and PowerPoint. I have made extensive use of music notation software, being familiar with both Sibelius and Finale's platforms. I have experience using GarageBand, a sequencing program with many educational possibilities. I have taught myself HTML, and CSS, the programming codes used to create webpages such as this one. I have designed and built several webpages, such as the homepage for a charity baseball tournament that I have volunteered for since middle school, and I currently maintain the webpages for Case Concert Choir and Case University Singers. All of these tools should be helpful in my professional life as a music teacher.

I look forward to continuing to educate myself as technology advances and changes. I also want to deepen my understanding of music-specific technology, such as recording equipment and software. I plan to strengthen this area of my studies through participation in workshops and courses.

Technology Artifacts

Case Concert Choir Program (PDF File)
I created this concert program for the Case Concert Choir's Spring 2007 Concert using Microsoft Word. This concert program is a good representation of my ability to use technology in an administrative capacity. In electronic format, the pages may appear to be out of order, but that is to accomodate folding multiple pages.

Review of Education Websites (PDF File)
In this document, I list and review 20 different sites that are aimed at educators. Included are sites of state and national music education organizations, governmental websites, and websites of private corporations. Each site is rated on a 1-5 Likert scale based on my overall impression of its usefulness as a resource.

Technology in Education Portfolio (Web Link)
This portfolio is designed to document my skill and understanding of the applications of technology for music teaching and learning. The technology portfolio is organized according to the National Education Technology Standards for Teachers developed by the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE). It also addresses the areas of competency in music technology for music educators (electronic musical instruments; music production; music notation software; technology-assisted learning; multimedia; productivity tools, classroom and lab management) recommended by the Technology Institute for Music Educators