Christy Vogt is Assistant Professor of Piano/Piano Pedagogy at McNeese State University in Lake Charles, Louisiana. She holds graduate degrees in piano pedagogy from the University of Oklahoma and the University of Miami where she studied pedagogy with Kenon Renfrow, E.L. Lancaster, and Jane Magrath. Christy has taught in pre-college programs at Wheaton College and Texas Christian University. Additionally, she was director of Keyboard for Kids, the preparatory program at the University of Miami, during her doctoral studies.
Christy Vogt
Department of Performing Arts
McNeese State University
Box 92175
Lake Charles, LA 70609
337-475-5038
cvogt@mcneese.edu
The integration of technology into the classroom continues to change with the ebb and flow of technological developments. College professors currently seek to support and streamline student learning through the use of university based websites. One such platform is called WebCT. Pamela Pike has been utilizing WebCT to provide practice tools for her piano classes at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.
Pike began her session by explaining the dynamics of her current academic environment at the university. The school is considered a commuter campus with an enrollment of approximately 12,000 students. The average age of students is 27 and most have families and full time jobs. Most of Pike's undergraduate students are unable to read music when beginning the program. In order to facilitate learning for this type of student, Pike utilizes WebCT to provide 24 hour access to assignments, class information, and video tutorials that help students practice more effectively.
WebCT is very similar to Blackboard, being on online tool for making information and study tools available to students 24 hours a day. The content module includes the syllabus and course schedule, a calendar which is updated weekly, practice and written assignments, Power Point or video tutorials, quizzes, and a discussion room. Pike requires students to check the site three times a week. Pike also includes links to other websites and university services on her WebCT site. Instructors can enter student grades in the Grade Book, which can be linked to an Excel grade book.
Because this session took place in the piano lab, Pike was able to access her WebCT site directly and show us her class website first-hand. While some elements of the site were expected, it was exciting to see how Pike has spent time creating video tutorials for her classes. We briefly viewed video tutorials for playing a G major scale correctly and for learning a repertoire piece.
Pike's students have reportedly accessed the site frequently and found it immensely helpful. One of the specific benefits they have noted are the 24/7, round-the-clock availability of the tutorials. Pike found that it also puts more responsibility for learning on the students, allowing them to review tutorials often. The tutorials allow students to see and hear technical facets to assignments they might have missed during class. The video also provides a musical or aural example for them to follow.
Because so many students are "commuter" students, the discussion rooms helped create a sense of community among the students. Quite often, they would help one another with questions, coming to correct conclusions independently.
Pike found that using WebCT, while time consuming at first, was a better use of her time. Students could find all class materials in one place. By providing a hub of information, she found that it gave the adult learner a sense of control over the learning environment. It also provides the opportunity to present materials in a variety of ways, meeting the needs of the different learning styles that students have.
Resources:
Understanding by Design. Wiggins & McTighe
141 Practical Tips for Teaching Online Groups. Hanna
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