• SK MAGPI PresentationJan 29 2008

MAGPI Presentation

January 29, 2008

Introduction

• what, who, why is Strings, Kansas!

Overview

• four 45 minute Internet2 videoconferences each year

  • String Buddies

  • WSU Symphony Orchestra

  • 600 4^th and 5^th graders in 9 different participating communities.

• videoconferences paired up with webcasts
• launched in the Fall of 2006
• completed 5 of these videoconferences so far.

• Written by WSU students

• Wiki, discussion group

Support

• Kan-Ed

• Carnegie Hall

  • recorder curriculum
  • introduction to the symphony orchestra

Content

formal videoconferences

• expose children to
  • stringed instruments
  • orchestral repertoire
  • prepare them for formal evening concert.
    • The feed is a public event, free of charge.

String Buddies

• pair up in groups of two or three and become String Buddies

• informal videoconferencing

• personal visits

• emails to teachers

• experimented with blogs

Gala event

• perform on recorders

• petting zoo

• living museum

Philosophy

• Constructivism

• Ownership/responsibility
• videoconferencing as creating a community
• successes and failures

Strings, Kansas! goals

• Disconnect between large cultural communities and rural communities
• No example of high level music making
• also create connections between music ed. majors and rural communinities

Need for Internet2 Capabilities

• geographical distance between Wichita and participating schools
• difficult to physically bring string education to these schools
• online connections such as: blogs, wikis, google groups, and Internet2 Videoconferencing

Wiki

• http://cratel.wichita.edu/cratel

• editable by everyone
• where we create our scripts
• available to anyone who wants to get involved/learn more about the program

• hosted by CRATEL

Email Lists

• we email each other ideas and products to proofread

• teachers have a list too

• meeting times/ class notes/etc.

Why we do it

• We are all music students (education as well as performance)
• as education majors:
  • experience in the classroom (both physical visits and videoconferencing)
  • structuring lesson plans
  • direct contact with students before receiving a degree
• as performance majors:
  • the opportunity to give the experience that they have received
    • such as: school music, exposure to high levels of music making
  • keep their proposed profession alive
• the personal impact we have on these students
  • their excitement

• Tim Jones quote: “At Flint Hills E.S., half a class of twenty started resounding, 'Let me play the violin,' 'Can I get a cello?,' [...] [W]e're the people who are going to make this happen, for the kids and with the help of the kids. [...] [T]here are at least ten kids in Rosalia Kansas (and hundreds of others in other places) aching to start exercising a musical potential within themselves that could possibly become the most intense and positive thread of their entire growth and existence, and that the foundation of their present hope of doing so is, essentially, us.”

Clips