GarageBand in the Classroom

Posted by Helen Published in ponderings

Session notes from John Maklary’s session on GarageBand.

(02/08/2008)

8:01	John Maklary http://mistermak.pbwiki.com/GarageBand

8:02	presentation is on GDocs…all resources can be found at the URL above

8:03	Why GarageBand? Suppports project-based learning Enhances digital media projects Addresses musical intelligence Cross-curricular

8:04	Going to talk about a mashup of Google Earth and GarageBand–cool

8:06	more examples available at http://jp2kidcasts.blogspot.com also his podcast server–subscribable in iTunes good digital storytelling examples

8:08	Saint’s Live–monthly student podcast use mics attached to iPods Flip video cam GarageBand (GB) used for editing/mixdown Students created their own theme music Very student centered, engaging, and motivating Students used writing, editing, and speaking skills

8:09	Sharing example of student podcast-John Paul II Catholic School News, sports, and more Interview of teacher

8:12	Sound Seeing Tours 8th grade trip to DC Used iPods and mics to record what they are experiencing and for interviews Supports social studies, speaking, and editing Uploaded nightly from DC–lots of parent interest http://jp2washingtondc.blogspot.com

8:15	Same theme for beginning and end so that there was consistency. Students came up with their own content. Great idea for field trips Mics are relatively inexpensive, as are Olympus recorders

8:19	Movie Soundtrack Students create digital documentaries 2 examples: Documentary on the story of the Indianapolis; used UnitedStreaming clips; first efforts used lots of voice sound effects and may have copyright issues (things to think about) Computer game soundtrack (Waffles Revenge)

8:24

Writing Songs
Based on a curricular theme or special event of study
Teach song form/patterns (ABACAB)
Supports sequencing/patterns

Student examples:
Drug Free Rap (became viral–kids passed it around everywhere; brought these kids motivation level higher)
Working on My Beat (springboard to talking about pattern-lyrics were really about this student’s life; let kids just go and do it, then review and talk about how it can be made better)

8:28

Mozart Meets Magellan
(or Meatloaf meets Marco Polo)

Students create Google Earth tours to research different world music cultures (history, influences, etc)
Students use GB to construct music showcasing each culture’s music and embed into Google Earth (new vers 4.2 allows for embeddable media)
Supports geography and world history

Geo-Music World tour (kmz file)
Tutorial for embedding media in GE
Code for embedding audio (have to use shockwave code, but didn’t work on the Mac he is borrowing to use this morning–may need further investigation)

8:31	GB has extra jam packs that contain more loops–definitely worth it if you want more to work with–especially World vibe

8:34	Pimp Your Ride to get more out of GB M-Audio (audio interfaces and pre-amps, mics, MIDI controllers, etc)–allows for greater degree of control with instruments Apple Jam Packs (more loops)

8:36	Mac Envy? If you don’t have a Mac and can’t use GB, try Audacity M-Audio Session ($50 or you can buy a bundle w/mic or MIDI controller for ~$100) Sony Acid (free version w/very few loops; pd version has more loops)

8:37	Recommended Reading Dan Schmit’s books (Kidcast: Podcasting in the Classroom, etc) Available from FTC Publishing

8:42	Demo of GB ’08 Magic GarageBand–click on genre, then click audition, can click on instruments and chage up the vibe (cool! ) When you have what you want, click on Create Project and you’ll get all the tracks laid out in GB interface ready to edit. Video tutorials available