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Weekly Twitter Question

09/21/09 By 2 Comments
Logo (c) Twitter

Logo (c) Twitter.com

I try not to claim to be an expert on things I’m not an expert about. This was the guiding principle in why I chose to start MusicEdMajor.net, instead of continuing to blog about actual teaching; I don’t know much about actual teaching, while I do know quite a bit about being a student! That doesn’t, however, mean there are not very significant topics for Music Education Majors to hear about, that still fall outside of my “expertise.” One such topic was one I recently wrote on, dealing with a small age difference between you and your students as a young High School teacher.

How, then, was I able to put out a post on this topic that seems to have been beneficial to read? Since starting my “online presence,” I have had the pleasure of formulating a PLN (personal learning network) of educators, from retired teachers to high school students striving to be teachers, and everything in between. One such place I have had the opportunity to really have great conversation with these people is on Twitter (read more about the microblogging platform and why I use it here). In this case, my Twitter network helped me answer the question, replying with their thoughts on the topic, and all I did was expound upon their answers.

So I think I’m going to continue this idea! There are so many topics that can be covered, that I may not be an “expert” on, but that there are probably tons of experts on in the Twittersphere. So, I am going to ask one question of my Twitter community each week, and post the answers I receive, highlighting any main themes that come to be! Hopefully, this should be an extremely helpful process for the readers, myself, and the Twitterers who are answering the questions!

So What’s Next?

I need questions! What are some things you would be interested in knowing from current or retired teachers? What would you like to hear their thoughts on? I have a few questions of my own, but I would love to hear your thoughts. Leave a comment with a question you would like to see answered in this series, and I will be sure to bring it up!

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How to Deal With Small Age Differences in a High School Setting

09/20/09 By 2 Comments

If you are a Music Education Major with hopes of teaching at the High School level (especially if you plan on teaching straight out of undergrad and not going to graduate school), you may find yourself in the difficult situation of being a teacher who is only 4-5 years older than some of your students. While there is some benefit to this situation-you will be able to relate to students better with a smaller age gap-there are important downsides to being close in age with your students that need to be considered. Students tend to see younger looking teachers more as “friends” than as instructors, which can make commanding authority, a skill that is already difficult for new teachers, even more of a battle. So how does the young high school teacher establish authority and a professional relationship with students? I asked a similar question on Twitter this morning during a class discussion on the topic, and these were some of the answers I got:

  • Theresa White (@theresawhite) – it is difficult, I had to do it. Just remember you aren’t their friend, you are their teacher. And stick to your guns!
  • Theresa White (@theresawhite) – make sure you follow through on discipline. If they think they can walk on you they will.
  • Theresa White (@theresawhite) – and dress like a professional. Don’t look like one of them. You have to dress and act like you deserve to be respected.
  • Josh Palmer (@palmerjosh) – Start early… the less you let them get away with off the bat the more in control they’ll understand you are…
  • Thomas J. West (@thomasjwest) – Gaining respect as a young teacher is all about using your enthusiasm and passion tempered with a boatload of advanced planning
  • Barry Zweibel (@ggci) – Share your insights/key messages in intriguing, creative, & counter-intuitive ways. Get them curious & they’ll engage more fully.
  • Emily Widrick (@ubandtrumpet) – biggest thing is getting their trust/respect by showing u know what ur doing and that u care about them

First off, allow me to thank all the awesome “tweeps” who gave prompt answers to my question; I even had some responses before the class discussion I was participating in had ended! Anyway, there seem to be a few recurring themes in these responses and on the discussion topics. Here are some main ideas that will help you maintain professionalism with a small difference in age between you and your students:

Be a Teacher, NOT a Friend

While it is extremely important for your students to know that you care about them, and that you want to see them succeed, it is also important to establish that you are their teacher, and not their best friend. As a young teacher, you will still be able to relate to the students and the social issues they are dealing with. Furthermore, they are going to feel as though they can relate to you and your experiences, and want to know about your personal lives. Make sure you always approach students with the mindset that you are their teacher and not their best friend.

Dress Professionally

A colleague of mine shared a story about her brother’s first day of his internship. She related that he walked into the school, clean cut and young-faced, and on his way to the music classroom was apprehended by a school security officer for skipping class; her brother was mistaken for a student! This brings up an extremely important point: you will be significantly less likely to be mistaken as a student if you are dressed professionally. It always is a good philosophy to over dress, especially for the first few months of school. This way, you will set yourself apart from the students more clearly. Additionally, professional dress can also lead to a more professional attitude from your students towards you.

Follow Through with Discipline

Many teachers (and future teachers) have their own philosophies about discipline, but one thing is certain. If you are close in age to your students, it is to your advantage to start the year off by erring on the strict side in regards to discipline. This will establish that the students need to understand that you are the teacher and are in charge. While it will be tempting to be very lenient in an effort to get on the students’ “good sides,” this will only give them the impression that they can walk all over you. It is always easier to gradually ease away from a strict stance towards discipline than it is to become more strict as the year goes on, so if your teaching style is more laid back, remember that it will be to your benefit in the long run to start with a slightly stronger stance on discipline.

Be Passionate!

This is the most important way to deal with this problem. If the students can see that you care about them, and about what you are doing in the classroom, you will automatically be a leg-up in gaining respect. So many teachers nowadays give the impression that their job is just that-a job. This is painfully obvious in the classroom, and it is these teachers that students seek out and take advantage of. If you show the students you are passionate about what you do, and that you care for their well-being and their success in your class, then they will be more motivated to do what you ask them to.

Your Thoughts?

The “tweeps” above shared some fantastic ideas on this topic. What do you think? If you are a teacher who was in this situation, what strategies proved most successful for dealing with the small difference in age? If you are a future teacher, have you thought any about the potential problem? What solutions have you come up with? Let’s continue the conversation on this very important topic!

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MusTech.Net Lists Must-Have Freebies

09/01/09 By 2 Comments

Dr. Joe Pisano, the man behind MusTech.net, has put up a fantastic resource that was just too helpful to pass up sharing with everyone here. He has compiled a list of the top downloadable “freebies” for music teachers. These programs range in type from audio editing to ear training to metronomes, and the list includes programs that run on each of the three major operating systems (Windows, Mac OS, and Linux). While the post is billed as being a list for music teachers, I found that many of the programs that are mentioned have been extremely helpful to me as a music student as well. With tuition being the way it is nowadays, too, we can always use more free resources!

Check out Dr. Pisano’s post, “Music Teachers -Must Have Downloadable Freebies For The New School Year,” today at MusTech.net. Be sure to check out some of his other great posts too, including his creation of a netvibes page for Music Education bloggers/podcasters (which MusicEdMajor.net is featured on), and his list of the top music pedagogues to follow on Twitter!

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How to Stay Productive: Part 3-Stay Focused

08/31/09 By Leave a Comment

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Music Education students generally have a wide variety of commitments on their plate at a given time. Whether it be an upcoming project, performance, exam, or just a busy day, it is extremely important for us to stay organized and be productive with the time that we have. This series will chronicle different ways to stay productive, even when there are multiple commitments staring you in the face. Check out the other installments of this series: Part 1 – Set Goals and Part 2 – Keep a Calendar

One of the unique aspects of a Music Education Major’s life is the diverse set of different tasks that we have to accomplish on a given day. It can be extremely difficult to accomplish the wide range of different tasks on a given day, especially because of the temptation to try and work on multiple projects a once. So how can we stay focused in our work time and increase efficiency? Here are a few suggestions for maintaining focus and being more productive with the time you have:

Set Goals for Work Time

One reason we tend to lose focus is that we try to work on too many different tasks in a given One way to maintain focus when you have time to work is to create a list of goals (also known as a ‘to-do’ list) just for that specific amount of time you have to work. If you have 45 minutes in between class, sit down in the library and write a list of what you plan to accomplish in that 45-minute block. Prioritize the list, and focus on completing only the tasks on your list, without falling victim to distractions.

Work on One Task At a Time

One of the biggest GTD (getting things done) pitfalls that we tend to have problems with is multitasking. When people have a lot to do, they tend to spread their efforts around, and work on multiple things at once. This causes our brain to not devote all it’s resources to one particular task, which in turn decreases the quality of work on ALL the tasks we are working on. Instead of forcing the brain to split its resources, make an effort to only work on one item on your goals list at a time. Do not move on to the next item on your list until you have completed the previous item, and do not skip ahead in your list. If you took the time to prioritize your list before starting work, you don’t need to spend time deciding what to do next once you started working. Many people have said, “plan your work, then work your plan.” This is an extremely beneficial statement.

Don’t Take On Too Much!

This is a suggestion that many Music Education Majors (including myself) have a difficult time with. There are so many opportunities for extracurricular involvement (band leadership, Greek life, CMENC for example), that we want to be involved in. When the time commitments associated with these activities are combined with those of practicing, classes, and schoolwork, a very busy schedule is developed. Don’t get me wrong, it is extremely important to become involved in your undergraduate years, but be sure that before you take on a responsibility, whatever it be, that you really take the time to consider the time commitment you are considering and whether you will be able to still devote the time and energy necessary to your preexisting obligations.

What About You?

What thoughts do you have for staying focused and productive? Do you have a system for keeping focused during “work time” that works for you? I would love to hear your thoughts on the topic!

Photo Credits: Front Page Image by orcmid, Desk by Will Simpson

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How to Stay Productive: Part 2-Keep a Calendar

08/31/09 By 13 Comments

See Image Credit Below

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Music Education students generally have a wide variety of commitments on their plate at a given time. Whether it be an upcoming project, performance, exam, or just a busy day, it is extremely important for us to stay organized and be productive with the time that we have. This series will chronicle different ways to stay productive, even when there are multiple commitments staring you in the face. Check out the other installments of this series: Part 1 – Set Goals and Part 3 – Stay Focused

Music Ed Majors tend to have hectic lives, with many different commitments at once. Between class, rehearsals, performances, meetings, trips, practice time, or anything else you may have on your plate, it can be very easy to forget an appointment if you don’t have an organized way of keeping track of your commitments. Enter tip #2 for staying productive: keep a calendar!

Electronic Calendar

In the age of technology, there are tons of great electronic ways to maintain a calendar. Here are a few tips for staying organized using an electronic calendar:

  • Use Categories – One of the standard features of many electronic calendars is the ability to categorize appointments. These categories can usually be color-coded, and make a great way to visually see the different types of activities that you will be taking place in. As you can see below, my Outlook calendar is like a rainbow. Some of the categories I use include: practice, rehearsal, concert, class, and band events.
  • Use Multiple Calendars – Another great feature of electronic calendars is the ability to have multiple calendars overlayed on top of each other. This is another way to separate different types of commitments, but for a more general set of topics. For example, it may be helpful to have separate calendars for work, school, and personal commitments, so it is easy to see only one set of appointments at a time. Google Calendars is great for this, because with one click you can choose which calendars are displayed and which are hidden.
  • Take It With You – The one downside to having an electronic calendar is the fact that without preparation, it can be difficult to update this calendar if you commit to an appointment while away from your computer. There are, however, a few ways to solve this problem. If you are fortunate enough to have a “smart phone” (iPhone, Blackberry, etc.) or another type of PDA (iPod Touch, Palm Pilot, etc.), make sure the calendar you keep is in a format that allows you to sync from your computer to this device. Otherwise, print a copy of your calendar out before you leave your computer, so that you can jot down any appointments you make in the proper place and then make the electronic update yourself when you return. For me, printing out my calendar in weekly view worked best; I would print about 6 pages (with one week per page), and keep them in my bag at all times, so I could see a minute-by-minute breakdown, while still having a wide range of dates available to see.

Andy's Calendar

Here is a list of just a few of the many e-calendar options that are available:

  • Outlook Calendar-Lets you sync to a Microsoft Exchange server if your school provides one
  • Google Calendar-Web-based application that has both an online and offline mode, provides multi-calendar overlay and email notifications
  • iCal-Mac OS application for managing calendars with sync capability
  • Yahoo Calendar-If you use My Yahoo as your start page, this can be a great option for managing your calendar

Written Calendar

There are many people for whom pen and paper is still the best way to keep track of things. For those people who prefer to keep their calendar on paper, here are a few tips for keeping a written calendar:

  • Get a High-Quality Calendar – The best thing anyone can do to set themselves up for success with a written calendar is have a good starting point-a high-quality day planner or assignment notebook will do wonders for your calendar’s organization. Many schools have their own “branded” assignment book, which includes school events and holidays already. If this isn’t something you need, be sure to get a datebook that leaves enough room for you to not only write school assignments, but also to keep track of personal commitments. Also, make sure the planner has ample space to write on weekend days; just because there is no homework assigned on these days doesn’t mean you won’t have many commitments and appointments to take care of.
  • Separate Different Types of Commitments – It can be a helpful strategy to split each day on the planner in half with a vertical line down the middle. Use the left side for school-related assignments, or more “standard” commitments, and the right side for additional commitments that come up, and less formal events (study groups, movie nights, etc.). This way, you will have an easier time locating the information you need.
  • Color Code – This strategy can be just as effective on paper as it is on a computer. Use different colored pens (or highlighters) for different types of commitments, so when you sit down to study, your eye is able to catch on quickly to the homework assignments you need to complete as opposed to seeing the date you have planned for later that night.
  • Take It With You – The same principle as above applies here, and once again there are different ways to keep track of this. If your planner is portable, as many will be, make it a habit of taking it with you wherever you go, so you always have it as a reference. If you choose to not take it to classes with you, jot down the homework and any other important dates in your lecture notes, and then transfer them to your planner when you get home. This strategy has the advantage of serving two purposes, as it will also give you an opportunity to review the notes you took.

Which Way to Go?

So do I keep an electronic calendar, or get a day planner and keep track of my commitments by hand? The answer to this question is simple: do what works for you! As someone who is almost always glued to some type of electronics (be it laptop, iPod Touch, or phone), the electronic calendar was the logical way to go. If you’re a more tactile person, or don’t generally bring a computer with you when you go somewhere, keep a day planner instead. The only way you’ll know, for sure, however, is to try, so pick a method, and start keeping your life organized today!

What About You?

Do you already have a method for organizing your calendar? What tips have worked well for you to keep track of  you appointments and commitments? What is your favorite calendar application? Share your thoughts in a comment, and maybe someone else will gain from it!

Image Credits: Front Page Image by A Surroca, Calendar Card Image by Joe Lanman

http://www.flickr.com/photos/joelanman/366190064/
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MusicEdMajor.net Featured on MusTech.net Netvibes Page

08/09/09 By Leave a Comment

First off, please allow me to apologize for the lull in activity here on MusicEdMajor.net. I have been, as many of you also may be, extremely busy with the excitement of band camps! I am staffing one camp this summer, which is currently halfway over, and am also preparing for my own band camp at the University of Miami, which begins in just under a week. I do have a few posts planned, and expect to have them up over the course of the next week or so. Stay tuned for more!

I do, however, have an exciting piece of news to share! Dr. Joseph Pisano, creator of MusTech.net, has published a Netvibes page which he calls the “Current Music Education Beat!” Netvibes is a service that allows users to create accounts and aggregate the latest posts from multiple RSS feeds onto one page for viewing. Dr. Pisano has put together 12 of the most frequently updated blogs in the field of Music Education, and I am proud to announce that MusicEdMajor.net has been chosen on this list!

Here are the 12 blogs and bloggers that have been placed on the Netvibes page (list courtesy of J. Pisano at MusTech.net):

  1. Phil Kirkman
  2. MusTech.Net (Joseph Pisano)
  3. Amy M. Burns
  4. Espie Estrella (About.com)
  5. The Collaborative Piano Blog (Chris Foley)
  6. Music Ed Lounge
  7. Be a Techie (Carol Broos)
  8. Travis Weller
  9. Music is not for Insects
  10. Double Bass Blog (Jason Heath)
  11. James Frankel
  12. MusicEdMajor.net (Andy Zweibel)

I have had correspondence with about half of the bloggers on this list, and subscribe to almost all of them in my Google Reader. I would highly recommend you check out not only Dr. Pisano’s Netvibes Page, but also his blog at MusTech.net. He is truly one of the top authorities on Technology in Music Education, not to mention the person who motivated me to take my blogging onto a more professional level with his 100 ME Bloggers campaign in 2008.

Additionally, Dr. Pisano has aggregated his top 7 Music Education Podcasts, which are all fantastic resources as well. The list of featured podcasters is as follows:

  1. Dr. Frankel’s Podcast Page
  2. Music, Education, & Technology Podcasts from MusTech.Net!
  3. Music Tech For Me
  4. Naxos Classical Music Spotlight Podcast
  5. Music Teachers 911
  6. What Music Means To Me
  7. Music and Technically Speaking

I also subscribe to many of these podcasts, and can attest to the high quality of the content. A special thanks, again, to Dr. Pisano for featuring MusicEdMajor.net on his Netvibes page! Be sure to stay updated with MusicEdMajor.net by subscribing to our feed!

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How to Stay Productive: Part 1-Set Goals

07/30/09 By Leave a Comment

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Music Education students generally have a wide variety of commitments on their plate at a given time. Whether it be an upcoming project, performance, exam, or just a busy day, it is extremely important for us to stay organized and be productive with the time that we have. This series will chronicle different ways to stay productive, even when there are multiple commitments staring you in the face. Check out the other installments of this series: Part 2 – Keep a Calendar and Part 3 – Stay Focused

Set Goals

One of the best ways to be sure you are focusing on the right things is to set goals for what you wish to accomplish. This strategy helps you keep yourself in check and avoid distractions, so you complete the tasks you need to in the appropriate time frame. The two types of goals that can most help you in your productivity are short-term and long-term.

Short-Term Goals

Another word for a list of short-term goals is a “to-do list.” These goals should be created on a weekly (or even daily) basis, and should be based on the tasks that need to be immediately accomplished. This could include anything from studying for a Music History exam to spending 45 minutes practicing your lesson assignments. Whatever they are, these goals are best if they are able to be completed in one sitting. Items should not stay on this list for very long (generally no more than a week), and should be considered top priority when you have time to work.

Long-Term Goals

Long-term goals can have a much wider range, including year-long, semester-long, or monthly. I prefer to set semester-long goals for myself, and now is the perfect time to put together a list of semester-long goals. These goals should be based less in school work, and more based in your development. Examples of these goals are diverse and could include performance-based goals (be able to play excerpt X at 120 bpm by November 1 in preparation for my jury), professional development-based (update my resume by September 15 in preparation for a fall conference), or personal (lose X pounds by October 10th). Whatever they are, check up on them often! In fact, it’s a good idea to check up on the status of your long-term goals each week just before you create your short-term goals for the week.

It is also advisable to set short-term goals in advance for long-term projects. For example, if you read on your Music Theory syllabus on the first day of class that there is an analytic paper due on a Beethoven Symphony on the day of the final exam, outline at the beginning of the school year what goals you wish to have completed and when. You might want to make sure you have chosen which symphony you will write about by the second week of school, acquired a copy by the 4th, done an analysis of form on the first movement by the 5th, and so on. This way, you will never be caught writing the entire paper the night before it is due.

Suggestions For Setting Goals

Whether your goals are short-term or long-term, here are some tips for setting goals that will enable you to maximize your productivity:

  • Make Your Goals Attainable-Whatever time frame you are setting goals on, they need to be attainable. It is completely unrealistic to set a goal of playing the most difficult piece of repertoire for your instrument perfectly by the 3rd week of school. While ambitious, this is an unattainable goal. Your goals need to be realistic, yet challenging.
  • Be Specific-Create very specific goals, which will challenge you to maintain the high standards you have set for yourself. For example, instead of setting a goal of “play half of my jury piece well by midterms,” consider instead something like “play from the beginning to letter L in my jury piece with no technical mistakes by October 15.” This erases the ambiguities left by the first option in the words half,  well, and midterms. It will help you keep yourself on track. Also, always set specific dates by which you wish to have your goals completed. Instead of saying “by the end of the semester,” put an actual date to it. This will make the goal seem more real as it approaches, and ensure that you complete it in a timely manner.
  • Don’t Procrastinate-While this obviously applies to carrying out your goals, it also applies to setting them. Don’t put off setting your goals until tomorrow–do it today! In fact, go set your goals right now!
  • Write Them Down-And not just on a scrap of paper! Have a journal or notebook you jot things down in? Write your goals and dates you want them completed by in there! Use the computer a lot? Save your goals to your desktop. Writing them down isn’t the only step, though; your goals need to be visible, or you will forget about them. Put them on a post-it note on your desk, or if you used the computer, save them as an image, and make it your desktop! This way you are constantly reminded of your goals.
  • Prioritize-Once you have your goals written down, put them in order of their priority to you, and when you have time to work, work from the top down. This way, you will complete the most important items first, and if you should fall behind schedule on your goals list as a whole, you know the highest priority goals are already finished.

What Are You Waiting For?

There is no better time than the present to start setting goals! Have 10 minutes to kill? Start writing a set of goals for the coming school year right now! Be sure to keep them close by as the weeks and months pass by!

What goals have you set for yourself? Do you have other suggestions for setting great goals to maximize productivity? Leave a comment and share your experiences regarding this topic; let’s continue the conversation!

Image Credits: Goals List, Check Mark (Front Page)

It is also advisable to set short-term goals in advance for long-term projects. For example, if you read on your Music Theory syllabus on the first day of class that there is an analyltic paper due on a Beethoven Symphony on the day of the final exam, outline what goals you wish to have completed when at the beginning of the school year. You might want to make sure you have chosen which symphony you will write about by the second week of school, acquired a copy by the 4th, done an analylsis of form on the first movement by the 5th, and so on. This way, you will never be caught writing the entire paper the night before it is due.

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