Week 1-WK

 StoryBoardThat Pixton                                                                                                          Make Belief Comix 

  Here we have Free-Scores.com which is a free sheet music website that allegedly allows you to open hundreds of music libraries for free. Upon further inspection, the website only allows you to access about twenty five of the free scores without watching video ads. This would have been something I could deal with if there wasn’t a pop up ad covering the entire page every 5 seconds. The functionality of the website lacks smoothness, there’s 3 different options to get to the same page and when you get there it just displays more ads. So in addition to being hard to access and pumped full of ads, the website is just hard to use and navigate, especially for someone who has never tried to look up sheet music before. They also claim to have free notation software but I was unable to find notation or scoring options anywhere on their website. Now we have MuseScore, a free and easy to use online notation software that allows you to access thousands of online sheet music libraries for that...

  Chapter 4 focused on creating a collaborative culture. To establish this kind of environment, it’s essential to build relationships that foster trust, teamwork, a shared vision, and group growth. Collaboration involves interacting with one another, getting to know each other better, and discovering shared perspectives and experiences. It's crucial to develop and maintain positive relationships by cultivating trust, which is key to problem-solving and reaching our goals. Trust requires effective communication, time, and regular interaction with others. A key aspect of forming strong, trusting relationships is providing chances for open sharing. There’s also a significant link between transparency and trust, particularly in collaborative settings that use online learning tools, as these represent our online interactions with others. Collegiality reflects the understanding that we are all stronger together, and everyone can enhance their practice through collaboration. The nature of...

 In chapter 5 we begin to explore some new tools that allow us to expand and bolster our Personal Learning Networks (PLN's). Apps and software that is so commonly used on a day-to-day basis are able to improve your network in innumerable ways. Twitter and Google Drive are two perfect examples of everyday apps that when utilized correctly can take you to the next level of your career. "You do not need to be a Web expert to take advantage of these tools(Twitter, Google Drive) many of them are used widely because they are easy to use." (Hall, 74)  Although public domain apps such as Wikipedia have been frowned on by communities of educators , this chapter gives us some insight on how crucial public domain/ contribution based apps can be to our development in our careers. In addition to these apps we also take a look at social bookmarking and tagging as a means of organizing the content you access online.  Using all of the PLN strategies we spoke about in chapter 5, I can con...

  MuseScore is an invaluable resource for music students anywhere. It offers a free and user-friendly platform for creating, sharing, and discovering for sheet music. As a college student, I can utilize MuseScore to not only compose and arrange my own music but also to access a vast library of scores from various genres and styles. This can be especially helpful for my studies here at Stockton, allowing me to analyze different compositions, learn new techniques, and even collaborate with peers. The ability to download and print scores means I can easily prepare materials for practice or performance, making it an essential tool in my current academic journey.  Web Tool 2.0 Smackdown   Looking ahead to my future as a music educator and performer, MuseScore will continue to serve as a valuable asset. As a music teacher, I can leverage the platform to create custom sheet music tailored to my students’ needs, fostering a more personalized learning experience. Moreover, the com...

In chapter 6, we learn that creating your learning community is incredibly valuable. It’s understandable to feel a bit overwhelmed at the idea of starting to build your network, especially if you’re unsure of where to begin. However, our book provides a clear and practical guide to help you navigate this process. Getting started can be easier than you think. Sometimes, something as simple as aligning your social media presence and profiles can make a difference. While it’s impossible for anyone to know everything, expanding your learning network can significantly enhance your knowledge. By fostering your own learning community, you have the opportunity to explore subjects that truly interest you, rather than simply absorbing information that may not be relevant. Ultimately, you are the best judge of what you and your students need to learn, and by taking charge of your learning journey, you can focus on the areas where you seek more understanding. Building a personal learning network...