Technology in the Music Room
Meg A. Byte, a pseudonym for technology writer, educator, and educational technology consultant Constance Bleiler, is Education World's technology expert.
Dear Meg A. Byte,
I am a music teacher in a K-4 school. We are in the process of refurbishing our school, and I've been told that I can set up a keyboard/computer lab -- if I can keep it within budget. Do you have any advice or product suggestions?
Anne
Dear Anne,
As long as you promise to write the songs that make the whole world sing and songs of love and special things ...
Actually, it should not take huge bucks to set up a digital keyboard lab. As I'm sure you are aware, however, you do have to think things through.
Musical instrument digital interface (MIDI) is a computer standard that allows musical information -- notes, notes' duration, notes' attributes, and so on -- to be seamlessly exchanged among instruments, synthesizers, and computers.
For each setup, you'll need to start with a basic Mac or PC and then add the following components:
- a MIDI controller keyboard ($225) (a music keyboard designed specifically for computer integration)
- a MIDI sound module ($375) (a device that generates MIDI sound)
- a MIDI interface ($100) (sound editing software)
- powered speakers ($125) (a higher quality way to listen to the music)
Additionally, you'll want to take a look at music theory/ear training software; Practica Musica ($125) is a great product for that.
In the meantime, if you're interested in learning about music lab success stories, check out the Vermont MIDI Project. In this fabulous statewide school project, students use fairly standard -- and not too expensive -- MIDI lab setups to create, collaborate, upload, download, and publish original music pieces. What a great use of technology for teaching music!
Let me know how your music lab goes; I'd love to get a note!
Meg
| 
