Voorhees music students are putting down the sheet music and picking up iPads. During a board of education meeting on Wednesday Feb. 27, band director/instrumental music specialist Sharon Clarke made a brief presentation on how her classes are using technology as a tool for learning music.
“I think it’s just another learning tool we can use that’s a lot less expensive than having to purchase programs and books and things,” Clarke said.
She said her students use Apple programs such as Note-a-later, Rhythm Cat, Writing Music and InsTuner. Each program serves a different purpose in the classroom, but all help teach the students about music, Clarke said.
To begin the presentation, Clarke’s fifth grade student demonstrated how to use the Note-a-later, a program that quizzes children on music reading and theory. Rhythm Cat helps students practice rhythm, while the Writing Music program allows students to draw notes on an electronic music sheet.
Clarke said all of her students use InsTuner before class to tune instruments.
Teaching music to approximately 275 students at Signal Hill, Voorhees Middle School and E.T. Hamilton, Clarke said the iPads not only save money by purchasing fewer materials for the classrooms, it gets the children excited about learning music.
“For the kids now a days this is natural to them,” Clarke said referring to the use of technology.
She said she wishes she had this technology when she was in school.
Clarke said the students are able to compose, record and listen to their own music on one device.
At the end of the day, with or without iPads, Clarke said she is in the classroom teaching the children how to play music.
“It’s just another device we use, and it’s great for their learning and cognitive skills,” she said.
“In my room, I am teaching them how to play an instrument. That’s the main goal.”
