Is it really “about” technology?

1. What’s the association? Is it really “about” technology?

2. TWO PERSPECTIVES: 1. Instrumentalist (or Instructionist) • Technology is assumed to be value neutral. • Efficiency in accustomed ways of teaching and rehearsing. • Pro:New and varied presentation and assessment opportunities. • Pro:Interface with computer literacy skills. • Con:Staying in the same place, perhaps more efficiently.

3. 2. Transformational Web-based technology not entirely neutral Inherently (though not necessarily) offers ways to transform musical and educational experiences Pro:Counters “one size fits all” (1-2-3 instruction) ensemble learning with such possibilities as: multiple modalities, critical thinking skills, individualized/independent learning, project method inquiry, collaborative learning Con:Doesn’t a musical ensemble require the operant conditioning supplied by a conductor? Who’s in charge?

4. Current Use of Computer Technology with Choirs 1. In the Full Choir Rehearsal Providing accompaniments Displaying score analyses Music Theory instruction Various administrative tasks

5. Current Use of Computer Technology with Choirs 1. In the Full Choir Rehearsal Different only in degree from traditional teacher or conductor behaviors of lecturing, writing on the blackboard, playing the keyboard, etc. May even require more teacher labor than the more traditional behaviors. On the whole, this use of technology is teacher-centered and student passive.

6. Romanticized View of Technology Any use of electronic learning/computers will lead to more desirable results. Realistic View of Technology Just as there can be bad teaching without technology, there can be bad teaching with technology.