Engagement - Garage Band playing rhythmic composition

I was impressed with my Grade 2s and 3s success with composing rhythmic patterns.  They really enjoyed playing their compositions on Garage Band's drums.  We learned to turn off the metronome (we were not playing on the metronome's beat) and to convert the saved file, as prompted by Google Drive.

Presentations App Folder

It has been quite a technological journey this year.  I was an Apple newbie...I am not any more!
I have spent a lot of time on the background set up of the minis - from the storage unit to the Acceptable Use policy to the organization of apps into folders.  (All previously Blogged)
I recently added one more app folder (thanks for the idea Joan).  The "Presentations" folder contains a variety of apps students may choose to access to creatively demonstrate understanding of a concept.

We are starting to branch away from ExplainEverything.  It is, and will continue to be, an option but engagement was starting to wane...and then I introduced iMovie trailers.  Familiar to some...cool for all. Can't wait to see the results next week.

Just today I had my daughter in grade 4 using Inkflow...the infamous Medieval Times Castle project.  We used Inkflow to label photos of her castle taken from different angles.  A task also possible in Word but it was definitely easier to use the iPad to, well, do everything (and collaborate on the couch).

ICT Technology Day

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! For the ICT Technology Day.  I am so grateful I was invited to be a part of it. 

The presentation from Kevin was motivating, inspiring, entertaining, thought provoking …insert other positive descriptors here.

I had the pleasure of participating in the two session facilitated by Jeremy: ePortfolio and My Media.  It left my head spinning but definitely got me reinvigorated and thoughtful about what next year might look like.  I am also grateful I had the opportunity to play around in tldsb.elearningontario.ca  (A great tool that pulls it all together…not intuitive enough for me but that’s o.k. it just means I need to book some time with Tina! …anyone care to join me?)

As wonderful as the presentations were today, I also appreciated the opportunity to network with colleagues.  I have yet another list of apps I need to install and websites I want to check out.  I thank the folks who shared them with me and wish now to share them with you:

(I’m just going to list everything that was in my notes from today.  Not all of them are new but I appreciated the reminder J)

Apps:
Haiku Deck (presentation tool)
Google Alert
Photogrid App (creates photo collages)
Thinking Blocks (Math)
Gizmo (Yeah!)
Music
Ocarina (Smule.com)
Garage Band (free)
Voice Band
Harmonica
Pocket Guitar

Websites:
tldsb.elearningontario.ca
kevinhoneycutt.org    (duh!)
Café Press.ca
Spoonflower.com
getkahoot.com
staff.tldsb.ca/ict/index.php/software  (It looks so pretty now!)

Help!! My autocorrect changed the cord progression App Kevin recommended.  I can’t seem to find it on his website.

Music Apps

Here are two great apps that I am using in my music classes: NotateMe and ScoreCloud.

NotateMe

Available on the App Store

For iPad, iPhone 4 and later

$21.99 (yes... I know that's expensive, but is worth it for one or two iPads)

There is a FREE version called "NotateMeNow" which is a simplified version of this app (only a single staff of notation possible)

This app will turn handwritten music into printed score notation.  THAT's RIGHT!!!  Scribble down a quick melody on your iPad and it will turn it into print quality notation!!!  The program recognizes your hand writing and will find the correct musical symbol to correspond to your sketch.  And it's smart... the more you use it, the quicker it is at picking up your handwriting!!!  You can compose for a solo instrument/voice, or piano, or even an entire orchestra.  AND it will play back your sketches for you immediately.  You can add chord symbols, dynamic markings, etc...  VERY POWERFUL

In my opinion, the BEST part about this is that you can save/export your files as a PDF (ready for printing), MIDI file (so you can hear your creation) or as a MusicXML file - which is compatible with the Finale series of music notation programs!!! (which is also a ministry licensed software package and available for FREE to any school in Ontario).  You can then manipulate your quick sketch on a desktop computer and be ready to publish your own creations.

ScoreCloud 

(thanks to Melissa Stephens at HHSS for this recommendation)

Available on the App Store

For iPad, iPhone 4 and later, and I THINK for the iPod

FREE!!!

This app is awesome!!!  Have a tune in your head that you need to get down on "paper"?  Great idea for a melody in the middle of math class?  ScoreCloud will NOTATE a melody that you sing or play into the iPad!!!  YUP!  It's true!!!  This is a great tool for students during the brainstorming part of composition.  They can get all those ideas down on "digital paper" in a quick and really easy manner.  It acts like recording software... just press record and start to sing/play.  The app analyses the performance and produces a notated version of the performance.  

It can be a bit frustrating at times.  You need to keep a steady pulse and play/sing in tune, or you can get some "interesting" versions of your song.  However, for short melodies, and little musical ideas this is a really useful app!  A great tool for the beginner composer!

iTunes SALE!!!

iTunes SALE!!!

Who doesn't love a good deal??? Especially when it comes to educational purchases.  
This morning I went to Metro (on the way to school), to purchase a couple more App cards to add to my iPad minis.  The first stand I looked at didn't have any, so I started to panic.  Then I walked further into the store and found a second stand with an abundance of iTunes cards.  With a bat of an eye I saw the sale sign above. So the natural thing to do was to grab more!

As I was paying, the cashier asked me if they were gifts.  I replied with "no, I have iPads in my classroom".  She then let me in on a little secret, which I am going to share with my fellow Tech Fund Friends...  "These App cards go on sale more than anything else in the grocery store".  And they always seem to be when a Holiday is coming".  She said they tend to go on sale about a week before every holiday.  So get into your local METRO TODAY!!!

Cheers!