A Variety of Technology Articles

The required articles for the week provided a great deal of information, though some of it dated.  Computer-Aided Instruction in Music was the most fruitful in giving important knowledge of available software, a brief history of CAI, and impressive internet sites.  The likelihood of using any of the software mentioned was greatly increased by the addition of software images throughout the module.  I was able to evaluate how enticing these programs would be for my younger students.  Previously I was unaware of the many software programs that target the early childhood audience.  The module (which I believe was cut off) went on to list internet-based software examples, to which I would add the following, as listed on my previous music classroom webpage.  I used these sites for music classes held in the school computer lab, whole-class instruction with my classroom computer connected to a SMARTboard or television, and as suggestions for further study at home. 

I was surprised that One Computer CAN Deliver Whole-Class Instruction did not mention connecting the one classroom computer to a television to allow more children to see the screen and therefore have a chance to participate.  In addition, interactive white boards were not mentioned, perhaps due to the publication date of the article. 

The New Dimensions in White article introduced a new product to me - the Activslate.  This would have been an invaluable tool in my previous classroom!  In my future of working with our youngest students, I hope to have the opportunity to incorporate this technology, as it seems best suited to smaller groups and would allow for close proximity to the students.