Tech in the ENO Classroom

I am a career teacher at Edmond North High School, now in my fourteenth year teaching orchestra and most recently a member of the technology committee. The growth of technology and its role in our teaching has greatly advance over the course of a decade, as one would hope. In my specific classroom, I have access to a classroom computer and two office computers, as well as strong wireless internet throughout the music facility. While students do not regularly use these computers, it is a convenience for me and the orchestra assistant to have two workstations in the office since we each spend over an hour a day simply working on administrative tasks of the orchestra, often simultaneously. The separate workstation in the classroom is necessary as it is located nearly thirty feet from the office computers. On the classroom computer, we utilize Powerpoint to scroll the daily lesson and announcements, as well as numerous websites including GoNoodle for physical stretches, Progressive Sight Singing, and Youtube, to name a few resources. Youtube is often used to show students examples of some of the highest quality orchestral performances in history. It is a truly invaluable resource.

The classroom has a ceiling mounted projector that casts an over a 12-foot image for our large classes to see. Due to its inaccessibility of height and large size, there is also a LightRaise SMART projector that turns any smooth surface into an interactive whiteboard. Ours is mounted over a whiteboard and is linked to the overhead projection and computer monitor through a four-way splitter. For use with the classroom projector is an AverVision document camera that I use to project images of method books and exercises, or to show large groups a change in bowings or other patterns in the sheet music. Also used with the computer and SMART board is a Slate, sometime called a Sled, that I use through Bluetooth to scroll through the Progressive Sight Singing examples without being tethered to the workstation.

An exception in our technology that few other classrooms have would be our pro-audio system that is connected to three ceiling-hung stereo condenser microphones. These allow for one-touch high quality recording. The stereo has Bluetooth connectivity that allows playback of numerous music tuning and rhythm apps through an orchestra-purchased iPad. Two favorite apps are Tonal Energy, a multi-function tuner, drone generator, recorder, and metronome, and Drumbeats Plus, which plays numerous backbeats and pop rhythms that add variety to our traditional warm-ups.

The only remaining need that I see at the moment is some sort of reflective device, like Apple TV, that would allow for display of iPad or other smart devices to our projector. However, the cost in frustration I have had with this technology’s reliability does not yet outweigh its benefits. Ultimately, the best technology for teaching stringed instruments is what the students hold in their hands each day: their stringed instruments, perfected for over 400 years!