Over the last few days, I was part of an interesting Tweetversation with Robert Oliver and Joe Guarr about whether the powers that be think that mandating technology can replace teachers. My response was GIGO (garbage in garbage out). This old axiom refers to computer programming but many of us use it for a variety of input errors- both human and technological.

Technology can be an extremely creative pedagogical tool when it is used correctly. Amazing resources are available practically at the tip of a finger. However, Google and other search engines increasingly don’t always bring up the most appropriate links to resources.

If you don’t know the subject well, it is hard to sift through the best resource list. For example, if one is unfamiliar with well known pianists, how would one find or choose relevant YouTube performances of a piece of repertoire for listening? If one is unfamiliar with basic music theory, how can that person use notation software to create a score?

Teachers and, I humbly submit, bloggers help learners find their way throughout the vast technosphere. It has been established that we all set our ideas and opinions about teacher roles while we are still young. Once set, these perceptions are very difficult to change. Using technology creatively and appropriately now will impact the perceptions of fine teaching in future generations of teachers, leaders, and parents.

One word of caution: GIGO.

Here is a post by Chris Foley on using YouTube for listening assignments: Learning the Style First, Then the Notes

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