Tap Teachers and Technology
Overview/Background
I've been into technology and gadgets since I was a kid. I've used Windows and Mac computers along with many different pieces of software as well as many handheld gadgets like iPods, Pocket PC's and smart phones. Below I share with you what I've learned with the hope maybe you'll discover something new and helpful.
Why I Use a Computer for Teaching
1. Speed control with automatic BPM detection and sorting!
I use an app called DJay. It's a great piece of software that looks like 2 turntables with iTunes' song list on the right. That's right it utilizes the iTunes library including playlists so you can take advantage of the organizational work you've done with iTunes. Not only does it have speed control, but it also detects the BPM (tempo) of every song it plays and allows you to sort your music by tempo so you can find the right speed for any dance or combination.
2. Built in Video Camera and iMovie.
Forget about writing out notes to remember dances. Because my Macbook has a video camera built in I can video the steps at the end of class so I can remember what I did the previous week. Also, the way iMovie is designed allows you to scan the video by dragging your cursor over it so NO FAST FORWARDING OR REWINDING like you do with a real camcorder.
But that's not all. If you have a student that missed several weeks of learning a dance, you can just send them a video of the steps you videod so they can catch up on their own. Very convenient and helpful.
3. Garageband and Reaper.
Garageband will work pretty well for editing music. But it also serves 3 other functions even better. First of all, it allows you to add extra beats or sounds to the music to either enhance the song or perhaps to help the kids stay on beat (nothing helps like adding in a few drum accents). Also, Garageband has a repeat function which allows you to select a chunk of the song and have ONLY that chunk repeat. It's great for cleaning that one part of a dance that just needs some repetition. And finally, Garageband allows you to "overdub" (or record on top of the music) your voice or your tap sounds so the kids can hear how the rhythm is supposed to go with the music.
Reaper (I know it's a grim name) is almost exactly like Garageband except for a couple of things. First of all, it is easier for editing music if you don't need to add extra sounds. Second, it works on Windows! Third it allows you change the speed of the music instantly and easily which makes it great for rehearsing a fast section at a slower speed. And finally, it has a video track so you can add the videos you take in iMovie into Reaper and that way you can see the video of the dance and play the music all in the same app!!!
I actually use both, but I lean towards Reaper more now.
4. Paintbrush (or similar)
Paintbursh is a simple drawing app that works great for writing out formations. It's so nice to be able to pull up a formation document and see where the kids are supposed to be for any given section of a dance. The best part is that it's FREE!
5. Costumes
It's so nice to be able to go online and find some outfits or ideas and then literally drag the pictures from your web browser into a folder right on the laptop and that way you always have the pics with you and can show your seamstress or better yet just email them the pics!
6 Dropbox
Dropbox is basically an online storage and synchronization app. I have two computers and a smartphone and basically with Dropbox I can create a new file on one compter and then access it from any other computer or my phone. So let's take music. I can add music to my dropbox folder on my computer and then be able to access it from my phone (let's say if the computer crashed, you'd still be able to access your music). It's basically like backing up your files and have access to them everywhere.
7. Burn Practice CD's on the spot
Because my Mac has a CD burner built in when a student asks if they can have a copy of the music and hands me a CD, I can burn it right there on the spot in about 2 minutes. That's one less thing to remember to do at home.
8. Play critique audio and video files
So many of you have noticed you now get critiques on little thumb drives or access them online. Having a computer with you makes doing this possible as opposed to taking them home and sorting through them.
9. Youtube inspiration
Sometimes kids need a little sinpiration. Nothing inspires like seeing a really great dancer do their thing. Kids like to watch other dancers and often it will give them a little extra motivation to work hard in class.
I currently use a Macbook as my primary teaching device. I used handheld devices before this but I can tell you that as of right now no handheld device can duplicate all the amazing things I can do with my Mac (cell phones are moving fast though and I expect them to catch up by 2013). Here are some of the great things I can do with my Mac:
