10 Ways Technology Supports 21st Century Learners in Being Self-Directed

10 Ways Technology Supports 21st Century Learners in Being Self-Directed

I chose to look at this lesson through the lens of "me" being the learner, and used a portion of this list as a checklist of sorts to see if I am "current" in using technology to improve and enhance my teaching.

2. Tweet to Connect with Experts
I created an account during our June classes, and will look for opportunities this fall to find some music educator "tweeters" worth following.
3. Skype an Expert
I have just created a music classroom lesson account.  I am in the process of trying to find reviews of fellow music education skypers.
4.  Free Online Educational Resources
I have enjoyed becoming more familiar with the Music Education Association and American Choral Directors Association websites and the tools, reviews, and resources they offer.  ChoralForum.net has been extremely helpful as a "chorus everything" resource.
5. Online Learning
USM has started to offer a few online graduate music courses.  I have been very reluctant to give these a try.  I appreciate and believe I learn best from direct in-person instruction.  (I don't even like to sit in the back row of the classroom, let alone on the other side of a screen.)  Given the increasing number of courses offered online, this will be a road I will go down, but will avoid for as long as possible.
6. Authentic Publishing
I'm not sure if this would be "authentic" publishing or not, but I would like to explore a private hms music performance youtube account.  This would be a place for students to post vocal and instrumental performances.  These performances would give students an opportunity to creatively express and share their musical selves.
7. Use YouTube and iTunes to Learn Anything
It seems Youtube and iTunes University are vehicles that can be used by students to empower and design their own learning.  Some professors are doing the following according to the article, 
Facebook Find: YouTube University – An Interesting Opportunity for Innovative Students and Teachers, "posting  lectures online and providing select innovative high school students the opportunity to watch the lectures, do the course work, and…get college credit-for FREE!" "...What I love about this option, is once the video is posted, it provides students with a forum to interact via commenting on and rating the videos."  This sounds very exciting.  Again, I don't see type of online university working for me in terms of graduate courses, however I can definitely see how this would create educational opportunities for people who live in remote areas and are unable to access appropriate quality "in-person"instruction. 
9.  Develop Authentic Learning Portfolios
This year I hope to join in the ePortfolios students have already created with their classroom teachers.  My hope is this can be a place that can store student's garageband video and audio class and individual projects.