Embracing your Inner Geek: Technology and the Music Teacher
I’ll start out by saying this: If I don’t embrace technology now, I’ll be left far behind those that do.
Call me a Geek. I’m pretty proud of it! I decided long ago that technology and the Internet was here to stay – and if I didn’t incorporate it in my daily life, I was going to be left behind. (Although, I didn’t ever own a pager, and I let that technology slip by without so much as a whimper.)
3 reasons why I have embraced my Inner Geek as a music teacher and musician:
1. To increase my productivity
You’re busy. I’m busy. We’re all busy. Why not use technology to add productivity to your life? Whether they be iPhone or Android apps, or useful gadgets, technology can give us that extra breath of relief we need.
It’s true what they say: There’s an app for that too. In a day where almost all of us have a mobile device, why not add more functionality to these devices by making them slaves to our cluttered and busy existence? For instance, my iPod Touch is my best friend as a piano teacher and serves me well in my daily teaching routine:
- metronome
- digital tuner
- music flashcards
- audio recorder (for recording lessons, music examples or reminders)
- ledger (to record tuition payments)
- task sheet and reminder
AND, it handles my email, teaching and gig schedule and contact list!
2. To identify with my students
You’ll be surprised when I tell you that my students think I’m just plain cool. We share our scores in Angry Birds, the latest viral videos on YouTube and how many friends we’ve accrued on Facebook. Technology has become one of the common grounds I’ve sought to establish with my students – and to some extent, it has become a way for me to enter into their world.
3. To be part of a bigger community
If you are an independent (private) music teacher, you know how lonely and detached this industry can be. If you’re not part of a greater community of music educators, like a regional music teacher’s forum or club that gets together often to discuss all things music education, you can feel alienated. At least, I did … until I realized that there were music teacher forums and blogs on the Internet to which I could belong and contribute.
Take time to search for online blogs and forums that you can participate in. You’ll find that there are many folks out there who are willing to give you the best tips in the industry so willingly – and where you too could contribute to the greater good by offering your expert (humble) opinions, advice and suggestions.
Conclusion
Embracing technology as music teachers needn’t be stressful at all. In fact, it can be pure fun. It’s an investment worth the while, and you’ll reap the benefits of being a Geek Head like I have – and perhaps get a few more students to call you cool.
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