John P. Collins

This past Wednesday and Thursday was the annual MassCUE conference in Sturbridge, MA. I have been attending this event for the past several years, and I think this one, by far, was the best.

The conference began with a keynote address by Alan November. I have seen him speak before, and have read several of his publications. He adds new insight and inspiration to the world of technology in education. He uses the term “inside the box” quite a bit during his speeches. The fact that students are getting exposed to technology constantly in their daily life is being hampered by schools banning much of it in the classroom. Ipods, if used correctly, can be very powerful education tools. He showed examples of students creating podcasts using microphones, cameras, computers, and-IPODS. The fact that they can create a podcast, put it on their ipod, bring it home and show Mom and Dad what they did on that Ipod is very powerful. He spoke about teaching children how to utilize the technology they already know how to use. Text messaging, cell phones, digital photography, and more! His other focus was on the “global” society, which many schools mention in their mission statements. He demonstrated how the use of search engines can be one-sided, depending on how the syntax is presented. If a students uses Google and types in “Revolutionary War” they will get a “one sided” point of view about the war. Top results come from Time, CNN, MSNBC-all US information. If you use another search engine and use syntax to search sites only in the UK, students will be presented with a very different interpretation of the war, from the English perspective. Preparing students for a global society involves understanding how to obtain and process information outside of the Google world. I love Google, but I find the results are very proprietary.

We also had the opportunity as an audience to participate in a voting/survey tool from Promethean. He asked several questions and we had to enter our results using a device that looked like an egg timer. This concept asks “what is the benefit of real-time feedback” Ask a question, have the students press a button on the transponder, and the class can see what the results were-instantly. From this, debate on a topic can be initiated.

Overall, his focus is to get teachers and administrators to embrace technology, utilize technology that kids already use, and get beyond teaching them how to use a computer, and getting them to think for themselves and use technology to foster free and independent thinking.  One of his final words was “what if we banned paper when it first came out?  Where would education be then?”

The rest of the day I spent speaking with vendors about new technology, hardware, software, and other services.  I also attended several sessions.  Adobe Creative Suite, Podcasting and Video Podcasting, and Technology Curriculum development.  This is a great conference, and showcases what teachers are doing on the cutting edge of technology.

I caught CGT in Fall River on Oct. 29. I can’t say I’m a big fan, but I appreciate their musicianship-and skill! I came across a recording of them performing an instrumental version of Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody. They play the song note for note!

The venue was fantastic. A renovated mill in Fall River, the Narrows Center for the Performing Arts has a nice stage, great PA system, and a great atmosphere. Very casual setting.

Their music was very contemporary, and showcased their mastery of the instrument. They covered all genres, jazz, contemporary, baroque, rock, and more. A very versatile group with tremendous talent. They are also very personable. You can record their concerts if you wish, or even buy a CD of the concert immediately after the show. They also autographed the cases for you.

If you get a chance to see them-do it. you will be amazed.

This weekend I checked out Van Halen at the Mohegan Sun arena. I have only seen VH once back in 1995 with Sammy. I have to admit that I am more of a Sammy fan, than a Dave fan. My two favorite albums are Carnal Knowledge and 1984.

The show opened with Eddie doing a version of Eruption, then it was song after song, after song. Over two hours total. Many songs went from one, right into the next with no break. I have to commend Wolfgang for his playing. He laid everything down note-for-note and added his own flavor at times. He was also very strong with his background vocals. Eddie’s guitar playing was impeccable. His guitar rig failed completely early in the show during “doctor”. You could see some techs running up on stage to figure out what was going on. He grabbed a new guitar, plugged in, and was up and running in no time. The others covered things up with a bass-drum groove. If Dave hadn’t announced that there was trouble, you probably would not have noticed. He seemed to cover up what Dave was unable to hit vocally. Dave sounded good, but had difficulty with many of the high notes-which can be expected with any of these veteran groups.

My only critique of the show was the volume. I am not one to complain about a loud concert, but the guitar and drums were so loud, it completely drowned out the vocals. It could have been the smaller arena, or the fact that Dave wanted his vocals deeper in the mix. It was still a great concert and the band still rocks as hard as ever!

Yet another school year is about to begin next week.  This year is a time for revamping what I have been teaching so far, as well as teaching two new courses, outside of my department.  For the first time in my professional career, I am teaching two computer courses at the High School; Software Applications and Desktop Publishing.  While I feel these new courses will be challenging, it is nice to experience something new and utilize my skills in another area.  Let’s see how it goes.

This summer, I had the opportunity to attend several concerts. I have always been a concert lover, but lately, one has to take out a loan to go. The summer started with a show at the Tweeter Center in Mansfield with Rush. I have seen Rush about 7 times in my life, and I am always amazed at the musicianship demonstrated by all. The three were as tight as ever, and the stage show was also amazing! What’s with the Rotisserie Chicken? I was actually able to see the show again the following week at the Mohegan Sun. That was a first seeing a band twice in one tour. Still loved it.

The second show I was able to see was Rascal Flatts open their new tour at Mohegan Sun. I am not much of a country music fan, but my wife is, so I surprised her with the show. I also hear “Life is a Highway” at least a few times a week when my son watches “Cars.” I was very entertained by their energy on stage, and the strong vocals the three of them have. When they took the stage, it sounded like we were at an N’SYNC Concert from the 90’s with all of the girls screaming! Although the show was a bit short (90 minutes, compared to Rush’s 3-hour show), it was still good.

The third show I caught was Josh Groban, again at Mohegan Sun. This man has an amazing voice. The sound quality was great, so you could hear every note he sang crytal-clear. My favorite part of the show was when his violinist took the stage, did a solo, then her and the band broke into Zeppelin’s Kashmir-at a Groban concert-nice! Again, a very entertaining show and would definitely like to see him again.

So, overall, for me it was a summer of great music from three very different artists. Coming up in a few weeks is Aerosmith-can’t wait!

I have had several conversations with faculty in my building, as well as some educators around the area about typing, and where it fits in the curriculum.  The old DOE technology guidelines leave keyboarding assessment up to the individual districts.  It will be interesting to see how keyboarding should be addressed in the new DOE Technology Reg’s when they come out alter this year.  What many teachers struggle with is students developing habits early on (sometimes before they reach school) and it is hard to judge how well students type, coming from various levels of personal experience.  My gut feeling is that typing should be practiced regularly in the earlier grades.  When they reach middle school, they will have basic keyboarding skills.  Unfortunately, many schools don’t have regular computer classes in the early grades, and it gets put off until elementary school.  This is where we get students with varying levels of keyboarding abilities-those that use the computer rarely, and those that use the computer all the time (OU812!  LOL!).  Of course, these types of students have a completely different set of issues (they can’t spell anything correctly-but that can be another post).

One of my tasks this year has been to review our current technology curriculum, and make adjustments to line up with the old DOE frameworks, and to make the classes more current.  Typing is still a big sticking point, since they do not have the opportunity to take computer classes in the elementary school, and do not get a regular scheduled computer class until middle school (7th grade).  Many students struggle with trying to fix habits they already use, and have been using for a long time.  Currently, they drill for about 10-15 minutes.  I know there is so much more these students are capable of doing with the computer, but are being held back by learning how to type.

This poses another question…

Is typing an “old school” skill that we no longer need to teach?  With computers being present in more homes, so we need to still teach formal typing skills?  I never took a typing class-I have my own way and it works for me.  Other students may do it differently.  I just think the days of putting a sheet of paper over the keyboard and doing “h-j-k-l-g-f-d-s-a” is and old way of doing things.  If we need to teach typing, is there another way?

Steve Dembo on his blog Teach42.com has posted a list of the top 10 Web 2.0 websites-rated by fellow education bloggers. This is a great starting point for educators who want to get into Web2.0, but don’t really know where to start.

Check it out.

The music industry has been in a major panic since technology has stepped on their turf and allowed consumers to obtain the music they love, at a very affordable price. With all of the competition out there on the web, in “big box” stores, as they are called, and file-sharing, it is no wonder the music industry is worried. Tech companies like Microsoft and Sony have created very strict DRM-”Digital Rights Management” to discourage people transferring music files they purchase on the web-legally, or from a ripped CD that, most of the time, they own, to another computer, or a portable device. There are still ways around it, but it is a sign that the record industry is trying to get a handle on how music is used.

The Tower Records chain is beginning the process of closing its stores. They were not able to keep up with the popularity-and convenience-of getting music from online stores (iTunes, Walmart.com, Rhapsody, etc.). The other factor, besides convenience, is price. Most legal download sites cost .99 per song. A CD that has 12 songs on it would cost less than $12. So why does a CD at Tower records cost $18.99? I browse through FYE quite a bit and find the same thing. There is no way I am going to pay $19 for a CD. I can buy a DVD for less than that! It is no wonder record stores can’t stay in business.

What I will miss is just being in a record store to just browse. “Browsing” for music online is not the same. I remember the days in college getting a cup of coffee and heading to Tower on Newbury Street and hanging out for an hour or so looking through CD’s. There is an atmosphere that many people will miss. If the store had a knowledgeable clerk, he/she could suggest alternatives to what you had in your hand. It was a social experience, just as it was a shopping experience.

I will miss Tower Records, but they can keep their $20 CD’s. I’m logging into itunes…

As I was channel surfing the other day, I stopped at WGBH Boston where I saw a band playing a cover of Pink Floyd’s Comfortably Numb. I sat in awe as I was hearing this band play the tune just about note-for-note as the original Floyd. I was hooked. This is probably one of the best cover bands I have heard. I have seen several Beatles covers, the DMB cover band, Rush, Rolling Stones, etc., and none match the precision of the APF. I’m sorry to say that I have not heard of them sooner. I caught Pink Floyd in Foxboro for the Division Bell Tour, and I have yet to see a show as amazing as that one. They will be in Boston in December and I am hoping to check them out!

As I embark on a new school year, I am faced with the challenge of taking my school ensembles “to the next level” in terms of their performance ability.  They have always struggled with the concept of HAVING TO PRACTICE in order to improve your playing skills!

For this year, I think taking a step back and going over the basics will help.  The more advanced students will have a nice review time, while the younger players will learn something new!  As music directors, we tend to get focused on the performance aspect, and not the learning.  I have heard countless veteran directors say that the basics will lend toward a better performance; meaning if students have a better understanding of the basics of playing the instrument (good tone, posture, articulation) and basics of reading (notation, rhythms, dynamics), then the music will come together much easier.  It’s time to step back, get re-focused on what is important in music education-have students enjoy creating music.