Bib Blog: The Final Frontier

The skills I learned in Bibliography & Research in Music are imperative to excelling in this program, but most importantly my career as a teacher. I have learned a great deal about research methods, instructional techniques, and presenting information creatively. Because of Bibliography I am a stronger writer and communicator. Aside from learning about databases, proper research methods, and APA citations, I learned how to better express information in writing and via a presentation. The annotated bibliography project forced me to show my information in a succinct fashion, clearly briefing the reader on the topic. My presentation skills are a lot more interactive and engaging than they were before. Integrating creative ideas like map tours, lesson plans, and videos into presentations not only kept the audience engaged, but heightened my own engagement in the process. I enjoyed researching material when the presentation was more "fun" than a standard PowerPoint. I plan to use these interactive functions when presenting information to my students.

I will utilize aspects of Professor Shanton's teaching style in my classroom. Her "Escape Room Mondays" were challenging yet fun and would go over very well with my middle schoolers. The spirit of competition will grab their interest, but they will also expand upon their research and peer collaboration skills. Additionally, I like her blog post assignments. They can be informally written but still contain compelling insights and information. My students would enjoy reflecting on a topic of interest to them and then having the opportunity to learn from and comment on their friends' blogs.

Through this class I chose to research a topic relevant to my teaching: Achieving student engagement in the middle school band rehearsal. Understanding the information I read on this topic has already made me a better band director and I look forward to putting different engagement methods into action. I want my students to be active in the music making progress, rather than passive listeners waiting for my direction from the podium. This will lead them to an enriching musical experience and a lifelong musical appreciation. I look forward to expanding upon these techniques as I continue my research and continue my teaching and professional development. Additionally, I included a short podcast in addition to my annotated bibliography. The podcast features two veteran band directors (Michael Struzik and Omar Williams) who discuss their own successes and advice for student engagement in band. Not only did I receive a wealth of information from facilitating this interview, I deepened my professional relationship with two wonderful educators. After speaking with Mike and Omar, I was offered to be a region representative for the New York State Band Directors Association (NYSBDA). I can't wait to put my newfound skills into action!

I can go on and on about how the research methods and whatnot will serve me well in academia. However, I am gaining more than that from this class. When you learn math in high school, you don't learn it so that you can remember algebra and geometry for the rest of your life. Instead, the processes behind the equations and theorems are what matter the most-- leading to sequential and logical thinking in other areas. The processes by which we conduct research and interact with our groups will carry me throughout my career and improve my lifelong learning skills.

Thank you for everything, Professor Shanton!