Project Evaluation Blog Entry

How would you approach another project of this type differently given what you’ve learned here?
After implementing the project in a trial run/stage, I've learned a couple of things.  One is that while most students listen to music a lot, they don't do it at a very deep level.  In the future, one thing I'll change is the preparation I do with the students before integrating the technology.  Many talks about deeper listening are going to be very important for the success of this project.

Another thing I'd change is the medium I use to keep accountability.  Instead of using a google form, I am thinking of using a message board.  After the trial implementation, I realized that the responses that were coming in, were very one sided.  My hopes is by using a message board, students can bounce ideas of each other and gain a different perspective.

What are the lessons learned that others might benefit from knowing about?
Whenever using a web based technology, I've learned that the way you communicate the links to students is important.  For example, for my project, I didn't have a domain.  So when I shared it, I had to copy and paste it into word and print it (w/ instructions).  Many students expressed that would have rather received an email.


How we transmit instruction regarding the technology is just as important, if not more so, than what kind of content we integrate into the technology.  It's like trying to cook in the woods - you have to figure out how to start the fire or else deciding what you're going to cook on it becomes moot.  Same with technology - you have to teach empower students with the technology before the content can be delivered.
 
In what ways will you endeavor to do the same project again, and what will you change or not do?
I really want to do this project more in the future.  I am a believer that listening is so important in music education, well in all education.  I think I won't do it as often as I originally thought.  I also am going to be very wary of how much music I put on each play lists.  I think I might even put at most 2 pieces per a list in order to help students focus on what's important.