Tips on Instructional Technology Implementation in the Music Classroom

Ready to start implementing technology into your music classroom, but not sure where to start? I get it. It can be a bit overwhelming. But, I got you. I wanted to offer you my personal tips on implementation, especially if this is new for you. Here are my tips for implementing Instructional Technology into your music classroom!

1. Absorb the info that works for you. Put the rest on the backburner! Pick and choose. This is going to be a lot of information, but I use these things over the course of an entire school year. And we do not, by any means, use technology every day in a performance-based class.

2. Whether we go back to in-person or not: use your Learning Management System. I have found such power in using my LMS! It’s great to organize units, materials and makes learning and the information accessible to all students.

3. Think of activities your students can do independently and then make it interactive. As music teachers, we like to have our hands in everything. What activities or tasks could your students do independently? How could technology aid you?

4. Frontload! The more planning you do upfront, the more time you have to teach and be present for your students. Putting everything in the LMS this year ahead of time was required, but now I am thankful for that. I plan an entire unit in advance. Worksheets, videos, links, all of it. I never did that prior to this year and I’ll never go back. I saved SO much time, plus I know exactly what my end game is, not just a concert. I also gained a lot of extra time later doing this.

5. Teach them the technology! Do not give your students any programs or applications to use if you’re not willing to take the time to teach them how to use it. During the first 2 weeks, incorporate teaching the tech.

6. Universal Design for Learning- think about what you're trying to teach, not the delivery. UDL gives flexibility in the ways students access material, engage with it and show what they know. It doesn't matter where the student is---they can still learn. If this year has taught us anything it is to pivot. Not every assignment or assessment needs to be paper to pencil. How can you use your LMS to reach all students?

7. Use one program for various purposes. You will see me talk about certain program a lot. I use a few of them for multiple purposes. It makes my life easier and everything less complicated for my students.

I hope these help! Stay tuned for more tips and tutorials!