Hop off the Podium! Automate and Motivate 21st Century String Players with Instructional Technology

2011 ASTA National Conference

All information posted on my blog

This session briefly discusses the role of the 21st century learner and their defining characteristics.

I show teachers how they can use technology to easily sequence their own audio accompaniments for tuning, warm-ups, scales, rehearsal, home practice, and assessment. Teaching strategies that utilize this technology will be demonstrated. These strategies enable the teacher to “hop off the podium” and provide individual instruction and feedback to students without interrupting the flow of the lesson.

The benefits of utilizing these strategies include the ability to reinforce a student’s sense of pitch, rhythm, meter, tempo, and other aural skills while making lessons efficient, exciting and motivating.

Sample classroom scenarios and teaching strategies will be discussed and attendees were shown how the technology can be adapted to fit into nearly every situation. Various hardware components and computer programs were demonstrated.

Reinforcing Rhythmic Concepts with iApps

2011 TI:ME National Conference/OMEA Conference

Information & Weblinks

This presentation will demonstrate several free and inexpensive iPod touch/iPhone/iPad apps that can be used in the classroom to help teach and reinforce important rhythm concepts. Topics such as steady pulse, subdividing, and rhythmic dictation will be covered. The presenter will introduce a variety of teaching strategies that will help accommodate different types of learners (visual, kinesthetic, etc.) and show how students can work collaboratively to learn these skills.
Using these technology tools can help get students motivated and excited about learning rhythm. The tools can be incorporated into both small and large group settings and can even be used during a live performance.

Kickin’ It Old School: Analog Technology Is Still Groovy

2010 OSU String Teachers Workshop

Links and slides

With digital equipment becoming increasingly popular and affordable, there has been a gap in the effort to include valuable analog equipment into the mix of training and discussion. Analog equipment such as microphones, mixers, amplifiers, and audio processors exist in many classrooms, yet are often used incorrectly. This equipment, while somewhat dated compared to many digital devices, is still valuable and quite usable. This session will discuss some technology you may still have in your building and how to make the best of it.

Building a Complete Orchestra Program with Technology

2010 OSU String Teachers Workshop

Download slides (PDF)

Blogger - Make your own blog in 60 seconds
Google Sites - Develop a basic website for free
Google Docs - Store/Create documents, make handy web forms

For Teacher's Only - buy custom pencils, etc.
Vistaprint - nearly free business cards for your school orchestra

Heritage MS Orchestra - Charles' school orchestra website


What are the qualities of a successful orchestra program? What are the ultimate goals of a public school music program? This session will provide ideas that can be used expand the scope of your orchestra program. Topics discussed will be organization, communication, music programming, recruiting, motivation, and more -- all through the use of technology! Bring ideas to share!

Editing Digital Audio: It's so easy an orchestra director can do it!

2010 OSU String Teachers Workshop

The slides and links are on the audio recording page

This session will show you the ins and outs of editing/mastering digital audio files that have been captured with a portable digital recorder. It’s not difficult!