In the book the "Diffusion of Innovations," the author describes a diffusion rate on a scale from early adoption to laggard adoption, or being the last to adopt the technology.  The idea that school systems will not allow students to use portable devices as an educational tool demonstrates the "fear" that decision makers have, and where their system is along the diffusion scale.  Instead of addressing the issue by making each person accountable for how the technology will be used in an educational setting, we unplug the tools this generation of kids have grown up with.  By having an agreement in writing with the student, parents, and administrators describing how the technology will be used in the educational setting, this fear is taken care of.  When the student violates the policy, the privilege to use the technology is gone with that decision.

Online education is becoming mainstream in the collegiate arena of ideas.  K-12 education is still partly entrenched in the fear that Web 1.0 is the only way to go, or you can use the internet as a research tool. You will not be able to collaborate online, or work with people who are halfway around the world.  One of my students plagiarized an entire report.  She does not stand a chance when if she goes to college and must turn her paper in through "Turnitin.com."   We hear educators complain at every level that students are unprepared for their classes.  Online education allows users to think, respond appropriately, and write their ideas with clarity.  As a parting gift, the Essa school in Britian on the Macs in Education site is a superb movie on how interactive technological tools enhance education.  The link is:

http://www.apple.com/education/profiles/essa/#video-essa

Cheers!

Smartmusic for the Musician

Smartmusic has come a long way from the digital cartridges of it former practice system.  Makmusic just made the Ipad version of Smartmusic available, allowing the user to access an entire library of music to practice and play with.  In the classroom, Smartmusic allows educators to set up a Gradebook for each of their classes.  The students create an account at Gradebook.Smartmusic.com, and then join the teachers classroom.  Here the educator can send out assignments from method books used, jazz tunes, band pieces, and solo instrument materials.  The institution fee is around $150 dollars for one calendar year.  Individual plans run around $40 dollars.  The program listens to you perform, anaylizes the performance and tells you which notes were played correctly and incorrectly.  (Green for correct, and Red for Incorrect).  It will grade it on a percentage, which allows players to improve each take.  The play then can upload their best take to the educator for commentary and review.   The Ipad version does require IOS6,  which was an unpleasant surprise for me and my original Ipad.  This makes me an unhappy Apple user. The last time they pulled this stunt, I bought PCs and have stayed there until buying a macmini four years ago.   It seems that I will have to use my ipad in other capacities.  As a Finale user, I can access Smartscore, which will at least play the created music files.  The tools available for musicians are well worth the investment, as you still spend several thousand dollars for a professional level instrument.