GMEA News Convention Article

The 2006 Georgia Music Educators Association In-Service conference
will once again showcase a wide variety of technologies to support
music education. Technology is not a separate division within GMEA,
rather its purpose is to enhance the other areas in their use of
technology. We have put together a set of sessions that will be of use
to everyone from the technology novice to those maintaining a music
computer lab.

The featured speaker will be Floyd Richmond, an officer of the
Technology Institute of Music Educators (TI:ME). In addition to
serving on the Valley Forge Christian College music faculty, he is
frequently called upon for school in-service days, local, state, and
national conferences. He is the author and editor of numerous
articles, chapters, and books on music technology. At TI:ME, he is the
chair of the education and curriculum committee and he teaches TI:ME
courses at a number of locations around the country.

Dr. Richmond will present four interconnected sessions on the use of
technology in music education. The first session will provide a survey
of the technology most used by music educators today, highlighting an
overview of software features, comparisons of similar programs, and
observations on the current use of technology in music instruction.
The second session will provide an overview of resources available to
improve music instruction through the use of music technology. Focus
will be on the efforts of the TI:ME, a non-profit organization. The
third session includes numerous instructional activities using
technology that can be implemented in the music classroom at no cost.
The final session will examine trends in music technology and their
impact on music and education. Topics will include the increased
availability of more powerful technologies, the decreasing size and
cost of technology, improved communications, electronic instruments
and programs that make performance and composition easier.

Additional presentations will feature GMEA members, university
professors, and music industry representatives. GMEA members John
Tsibert and Peter Tavalin will show examples of Assisted Composition
at Shuman Middle School and how it meets the varied needs of General
Music Students while addressing National Music Standards. Lee Johnson
and Kimberly Walls will explore internet issues, Leonard Ball will
discuss web pages, and Frank Clark will demonstrate new uses of
technology.

Of course, attendees will have the chance to increase their software
skills. Apple Computer will supply a 16-station computer lab to allow
educators hands-on experience with new software. Demonstrations
include GarageBand and podcasting from Apple (including a drawing for
a free iPod!), Finale and SmartMusic from MakeMusic, Sibelius and its
related educational suite, and, for the first time at GMEA, Mibac
Music Lessons and related software. Please also visit theses
representative in their booths.

For the first time the conference will feature a panel discussion -
where professors from major colleges and universities join to discuss
educational opportunities for students and professional development
opportunities for in-service teachers. In addition to the professors,
all presenters are encouraged to participate in this discussion as we
brain storm ideas for improving technology-based education in the
state. Questions from audience members will guide the discussion. We
hope that this panel, Friday at 11:00, will serve as a meeting place
to begin to develop a core of GMEA members with an interest in
technology. This is the place to rub shoulders with the
technology-minded in Georgia music education.

Unlike the main divisions of GMEA, technology is not a separate
entity. The technology presentations exist to support the other
divisions of GMEA. The natural tendency at conferences is to attend
the presentations in one's own area. We hope we have designed a
set of
presentations that will cause people to walk down the hall to rooms
102 and 103 for something a bit different. The presenters trust that
educators and students from all sub-disciplines of music will attend
the sessions and explore the computer lab.