Katrina

All things artsy & crafty... AND technological... What a massive day... I am definitely feeling much more optimistic about how I can implement the Digital Technologies curriculum within my programme. Today's session enabled me to consider some possible new units that I could run with my music students.  The most exciting idea I formulated today was the development of a unit around 'GAMING' music.  Students could create their 'game' using the fundamentals of coding, as well as analyse gaming music, leading to composing their own soundtracks to accompany their game.  This has huge potential, is culturally responsive to a significant portion of my students who are very 'into' gaming.  I'm excited by the potential of what could be created... and it fits in with the Manaiakalani 'Learn, Create, Share' kaupapa. I have already engaged in some ako conversations with my year 9's - they thrived on the idea that they were the experts in thi...

Google Hangouts... How could I use this - with purpose, effectively, in my class room practice... I guess... it could be a great way to engage in a rehearsal where everyone is at different venues?  Which could definitely come in handy when students have a broad range of commitments and are unable to attend a rehearsal at the same time...  Although I'm not certain of the quality of the sound produced?  (This would require an excellent wifi connection for all students involved...)  A potentially good idea in theory perhaps... A great way to collaborate ideas in the early stages of music composition... the muses don't always appear in the timetabled hours at school - so if students are able to connect outside of school this could be a way that they can brainstorm/jam musical ideas together? Something to ponder...

Learning from today: Created a much more effective plan for developing an engaging Site students can navigate more easily and with more interest... Created buttons and links to relevant pages on my subject site Altered the settings of my site to be easily accessible for the public... Awesome to have the opportunity to spend a significant chunk of time dedicated to site (re)development... and also check out other sites to see what is possible... classic 'you don't know, what you don't know..." Highly effective one-one time made the entire process so much less cumbersome!! Which is awesome!!  The idea of setting up sites had previously been somewhat 'terrifying' but now I am feeling more at ease about it... and more motivated to sort my site out properly for ease of use for both my students and me. Baby Steps...  https://sites.google.com/tamaki.ac.nz/muspa/home