PLN

http://www.tuaw.com/2009/09/11/count-the-beats-a-welcome-note/

It was not my intention to do so, but after reading the current TUAW posts, I again feel it necessary to mention this blog.  The writers have just started a new series called "Count the Beats" that will highlight "music creation on the Mac and iPhone platform."

In addition, I found this post on iTunes 9, specifically on Genius Mixes, informative.  http://www.tuaw.com/2009/09/11/itunes-9-genius-mixes-you-dont-need-to-be-a-genius-to-create/

I have turned Genuis on my personal iTunes collection and realized that this feature would have been useful to me in the classroom.  While teaching elementary general music, I used two iPods for several reasons.  Primarily, I wanted to ensure all music on my iPod for school use was appropriate for elementary-age children.  Secondly, it was important to me to able to shuffle songs for personal enjoyment without having to encounter a Raffi track or Sousa march.  When applying Genius mixes to my library, all music for school use was separated into children's music or classical categories, allowing easy access to that repertoire and a way to "shuffle" my personal music without including "work" music.  I could see this feature being used in other ways for classification purposes in the classroom as well.  Follow the link if you are unsure of how to turn Genius on your updated iTunes.