National Conference on Keyboard Pedagogy

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National Conference on Keyboard Pedagogy

• Introduction to Technology

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Speakers

• Michelle Gordon
• Susan Flinn

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Why Use Technology?

• We are moving into the future and this forward
  movement must also be a part of the piano studio
  so students can learn the skill of making music
  for THEIR lifetime
• Robert Pace has said that music is a universal
  means of expression with many dialects. Students
  speak the dialect of music technology with
  enthusiasm.
• Computer-assisted learning encompasses all
  learning styles sometimes simultaneously
  
• Computer-assisted learning is familiar and
  comfortable to our students

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Why use technology?

• Technology can assist the teacher by adding
  necessary theory into the lesson in a way that is
  uniform and consistent for all students at every
  lesson
• To give your students the advantage of having
  wonderful, modern tools for learning theory, ear
  training, sight reading, music history
  
• College Prep - Universities are using this same
  technology in their music programs
  
• Its fun!

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How to Begin

• Think before diving in define your path
• Try out new technologies before you buy them
• When you have some ideas, focus on one area first

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How to begin (continued)

• Get comfortable with your choice(s)
• Training
• Go low-maintenance, or make it that way
• Devise a strategy for implementing technology
  into your studio
  
• Define your mission clearly
• Compose your lesson planI mean, time
  management plan
  
• Get ready to introduce change into your studio
• Will this be a drastic, universal change,
  requiring price increases and new policies?
  
• Letter to families in advance follow up and
  prepare for questions
  
• Go for a test drive
• Set a deadline a specific date to begin

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A Logical Beginning CDs

• Listening Example
• Hal Leonard Adult Popular Book. Explain tracks.
• What can students learn using a CD?
• Importance of counting
• Steady beat
• Sense of continuity
• Focus on their part
• Enjoyment of being part of an ensemble
• How can teachers use CDs?
• Motivation listen at lab time before beginning
  a piece
  
• Reward after learning a piece
• Drumming along
• Add counting out loud as precursor to counting
  out loud while playing
  
• CD book package
• Part of a lab unit on a composer and their
  masterworks
  
• Example mozarts magic flute CD/Book
• Lab Set Up Possibilities
• CD player fast, easy set up
• Listen through Computer

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Using Keyboards with Computers in a Lab Set-Up

• Equipment
• Can be simply a computer with headphones (fewest
  technical problems)
  
• Digital keyboard with computer
• Digital Piano with disk drive
• Combinations of any
• Set up room/station(s) for effectiveness
• Organized, professional appearance will impress
  that you are serious about your program
  
• Suitable work space for students where they can
  concentrate (clean, low traffic area)
  
• Lesson structure changes
• Map it out, stick to it
• Policies
• Regarding equipment usage (everything from
  preventing damage to personal hygiene)
  
• Prices should reflect equipment cost, but also
  maintenance and time
  
• Stress the value of time spent using technology
  in your studio

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Demos of favorite software programs

• Groovy Shapes
• Music Ace
• Alfreds Interactive Musician
• HOME CONCERT 2000
• Auralia Musition
• Finale Allegro
• Music Goals By Eye Ear and Rhythm
• Music Mouse
• For Dummies CDs

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Internet

• Internet Acceptable Use Policy (handout)
  explanation
  
• Favorite Internet Sites
• Music Learning Community

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How to Systemize the Use of all of this
Technology and Sample Lessons

• Listening lab
• CD with computer
• Theory lab lesson
• computer only, very low-maintenance
• Ear training lesson
• Instructions on screen
• Use your printer

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What to Charge/How to Manage Lab Time/Marketing

• Michelles experience
• 45 minute lesson with 15 minutes of computer
  lab charged as a flat tuition
  
• Registration Fee at the beginning of the year.
  Use this to add software, equipment, etc.
  
• Write it on your business card and all your ads
  Creative, fun piano lessons with Computer Lab
  
• You may be the only teacher in your area using
  technology. Advertise this.

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Continued

• One-hour lesson with 2 students
• Private, modular lesson
• 30 minutes traditional lesson
• 30 minutes theory
• Decide on how much time to give and stick to it
• Your time is valuable the technology part of
  your lesson is valuable
  
• If you want students and parents to take your new
  program seriously, make sure you treat that time
  as valuable
  
• What to charge?

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Some things to think about

• PARENTS
• What if they are skeptical?
• In unfamiliar territory
• Solution
• Demonstrations
• Announce a training period during which parents
  could view demonstration of software
  
• Keep records grades (parents like to see their
  childs progress)
  
• Open Communication
• Letters about the studio upgrade sent out 6
  months in advance
  
• All changes announced up front
• Newsletter
• Firm Studio Policies the upgrade is for benefit
  of all students is NOT NEGOTIABLE

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You can overcome any obstacle!

• STUDENTS
• Young and pre-readers
• Behavior problems
• Motivation
• Solution
• Narrative software for pre-readers
• Reduce lesson time for behavior problem students
• Teachers aide
• Provide variety computer software programs
• Change software from week to week
• Switch roomsteach on the Digital Piano, use
  Disklavier for the lab
  
• Set goals, give tests
• Take a break from theory
• Once a month the 2 students play duets or perform
  for each other
  
• Hold a contest or competition

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In our experience

• Keep things running smoothly
• Found we needed two computers
• One for students, one for office dont mix the
  two!
  
• Continuous equipment and software updating
• Things do breakmice, headphones, cables, keys
• Computer jams, very nice to have a spare if you
  can
  
• Have back-up lesson plans
• Duets, sight reading, workbooks, partner lesson
  plans
  
• Use the second computer as a back-up (only in
  emergency)

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Start up costs you might consider

• Furnishings (desks, seating, lighting, etc.)
• Instruments
• Computers (student use, office use)
• Software
• Office Supplies
• Equipment (headphones, cables, mice)
• Internet (website)

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How did we pay for it?

• Develop a Financial Plan to Cover the Costs
• Ensure that your studio doesnt lose money
• Increase the length of the lesson - Increase
  tuition
  
• Registration Fee
• Cost of living increase

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Closing

• Along with being lots of fun, an up-to-date
  technology lab
  
• Adds to the professionalism of your studio
• Shows that you are committed to teaching your
  students all aspects of music
  
• Is an excellent way to build your studio roster
• I am the same teacher with this technology that I
  was before, but now have so many great tools in
  my toolbox to help me do a better job than I have
  ever done before