Manju Durairaj

TeachMusic:Technology in Early Childhood Music Education

Present day students have been addressed as ‘digital learners’ or even as ‘digital natives’. Preschoolers utilize handheld multimedia devices like leapsters,ipads and psps. They comfortably access apps and navigate websites on the internet to play games even as they use these resources to learn numbers,colors,basic reading,math,and so much more. Music teachers can use these technological ideas to enhance their teaching without compromising any of rich learning experiences that they currently provide to their students.

Students can create,sing,move,dance,play instruments,notate,and listen during their music classes,even as the music teacher uses technology-based activities to optimize student learning.

This session demonstrates Smartboard and Powerpoint based music education activities and lessons for grades PreK-2. Participants will be guided through the process for choosing an existing or sample lesson plan and creating coordinating Powerpoint and Notebook files that include notation,visually appealing graphics and basic animation,as well as developmentally appropriate interactive games.

The objective of this session is to demonstrate and provide music educators with technology based instructional tools,activities,and strategies that are accessible and that will optimize instructional time.

Session Objectives

1. Participants will learn effectively incorporate technology into even the simplest lesson

2. DevelopSmartboard and Powerpoint based music and movement activities and lessons for grades PreK-2.

Bio

Manju Durairaj was born and raised in India. She studied in London,England,and was involved in graduate research projects on comparative pedagogical practices of Indian (carnatic) and Western Music. She graduated with her second master’s degree from VanderCook College of Music,Chicago. Manju is certified in Orff-Schulwerk,completing her levels at VanderCook College,George Mason University,with master classes at Univerity of St. Thomas and at the Orff Institute in Salzburg,Austria.
Manju currently teaches Pre K-5 general music at the Latin School of Chicago. She is president-elect of the Greater Chicago Orff Chapter. She has worked with the American Orff Schulwerk Association conference planning committee as Children’s Performing Groups committee chair. She has taught and presented at teacher education courses,clinics and at state and national conventions like OAKE,ILMEA,MKMEA and MENC. She has been published in the Bulletin of the Council for Research in Music Education.