FIG. 1: The six areas of competency in music technology as defined by TI:ME.

Music technology is being used in more and more classrooms every year. There are so many ways to integrate technology into a music curriculum that developing a plan for its use can be daunting. And because technology offers such a wide variety of applications, there are many different approaches you can take.

This article provides some ideas for integrating technology into the general-music classroom. No single school or teacher I have observed uses all the possible technology options. Rather, they pick and choose according to their experience, available hardware, and budget.

A good way to start is to become familiar with the six areas of competency in music technology as defined by TI:ME, the Technology Institute for Music Educators (www.ti-me.org; see Fig. 1). They are:

1. Electronic musical instruments
2. Music production
3. Music-notation software
4. Technology-assisted learning
5. Multimedia
6. Productivity tools, classroom and lab management

The six areas of technology can be applied to all aspects of music education in general and to the general-music classroom in particular. For a more thorough explanation of these areas, go to www.ti-me.org/timeareas.html. You can also read about them in the TI:ME publication Technology Strategies for Music Education, 2nd edition (TI:ME Publications, 2005). This book includes more than 200 strategies categorized for either teacher or student use. If you're not already familiar with music technology, begin by finding uses for it outside the classroom in the teacher-use category. Technology can be intimidating, and being comfortable with it is critical before exploring activities with your students.

FIG. 2: SFS Kids is an interactive site designed to introduce music to kids and their parents.

If you want to use technology in an educational setting, becoming a user is the first step. The necessary hardware includes:

• A computer (Windows or Mac) with a CD burner

• A printer

• A MIDI keyboard and MIDI interface for the computer

• A sound system to hear the keyboard and/or computer

In the software department, the basics include:

• A word processor
• A spreadsheet
• Presentation software
• A music-notation program
• Music-production software