We are required to take a music technology course as part of our curriculum here at Montclair. This class has opened my eyes to no only the common software/hardware that you will find in your classroom and how to use them; but to other newly innovated software that makes learning music easier and more accessible to students.
Because students are growing up in an increasingly more advanced technological society, creating lesson plans and learning activities that utilize everyday technological items that students will be familiar with (computers, iPods, etc.) will make the subject matter more interesting to the students and allow them to retain more from the lessons.
One of my favorite programs that this class has shown me is E006. Available for free download at www.eamir.net. This program makes ear training and learning to identify chords more fun for students. By using the number pad on your keyboard, you can play the diatonic chords of a scale (1-8). Students can play different chord progressions and even songs without any previous knowledge of being able to read music or playing an instrument. This technology expands the accessibility of music to more and more students who are not interested in performing on instruments. The program also puts the chords and progressions in terms of popular music that they listen to in real life. Thus, applying the knowledge they are learning to real life situations.
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