Web 2.0 - Tools for the Classroom

Most people using the Internet today, do so using Web 2.0 websites and tools. Web 2.0 is the term given to describe a second generation of the World Wide Web that is focused on the ability for people to collaborate and share information online.

Back in the day (the 90's do seem a little far off now in 2014...), websites used to be static; not allowing users to interact and collaborate with each other in a virtual environment such as social media, blogs or video sharing sites.  These ancient websites limited people to passive viewing of content. Then in the early 2000's, Web 2.0 sites and tools were invented, and now there are some great ones that are great to be used in classrooms!

MusicTheory

This is a tool that allows for students (and teachers!) to practice and work on all of their basic musicianship skills. There are plenty of options to choose from, with lessons that range from the beginner in Music to analyzing and being able to pin point Neapolitan Chords (not an easy task!). There are also exercises to test the subject that they may be working on at a given time. This site would be great to assign your students to use on a homework assignment, as it is a fun way to learn the basics. I would highly recommend this so anyone with an interest in music and a desire to get better at their fundamentals no matter the skill level.

Classic Cat

Do you have a passion for Classical styles of music? This site has a directory of classical music with links to over 4800 free to download classical performances on the internet, sorted by composer and work. The only downfall is that most composers are not organized by an opus number (numbered by a date at which they were published/composed), which is slightly upsetting since I enjoy hearing how composers change their styles as they age. This could be a great resource to a student who is seeking the next piece they want to begin working on in a solo competition, or as a means of inspiration to a burnt out student. The exposure to older composers is the key to ensure students develop an artistic sense, as compared to listening to pop music.

Soundzabound
This Web 2.0 site is 'Royalty free' music library which meets all the licensing and technology requirements needed for education. It offers a wide variety of music, audio themes and sound effects
for grades K -12 and universities that ensures your copyright safety. Your students can download clips and songs that they may need for projects. for podcasts, PowerPoints, videos, news shows, video yearbooks, digital storytelling, presentations, TV broadcasts, and web design. As a band director/music director, I can see myself using this tool to help connect students OUTSIDE of the music program to music. Get registered, and share it with many other departments in your school to help their students use quality music for their presentations.

Musopen

This is a tool for accessing vast amounts of public domain sheet music. After a while, some composer's literature (such as Beethoven for example) become public domain and available to anyone who would like to read and play it. Use this library with your students to give them access to many different genres of music. The more works they read and play through, the better their reading ability will become. With so many to choose from, your music student should be content to play whatever they desire!

Public Domain 4 U

Just like the Musopen web 2.0 site, this site offers another repository to get free public domain sheet music. Rather than repeat myself, simply go read the description under Musopen.
The two sites, differ slightly in appearance and navigation but it is usually easy to find a composer you are looking for your classroom to read or hear.

Noteflight

This may be one of the more useful, and overall fun tools I have seen so far. It is an online music notation software featuring playback of what you write so that you can hear how something would sound being playing in real life. There are many neat instruments and ideas to compose on that would be great to have your students do as an extra credit assignment. Being able to experiment with the music creating process directly affects how they then approach playing other pieces, and can vastly improve their reading ability.



I looked into some other Web 2.0 sites from the cooltoolsforschools page, but many of them to not cater towards my field. There are a lot of links for tools that give access to popular music or make your own radio stations, but I don't see those as being very useful towards Instrumental Music Education.
Hopefully there is something here that you find beneficial for your Band students to use as a means to connect them with Web 2.0 sites and technology.