Adam's Digital Scrapbook for ION Technology Tools Class

Synchronous Communication

Ready-Made Content

Social Networking

Asynchronous Communication

If all the students are using it, Twitter can be effective in communicating course content, particularly extra material that may be timely. But if the students don't already use it, they won't make a habit of it for class, and it will just add a layer of complexity.

Canvas contains announcements, discussion boards, and collaborative writing tools.The discussion board supports rich media and video uploads, so I can have students post videos of their playing and comment on the work of others.


Unless there's a good reason not to do so, instructors should use the tools available in the institution's LMS.

Hangouts allows video conferencing. Provided you already have a google account, it is very easy to use, and seemingly reliable.
I can use this to work with students when we can't meet in person (holiday), or if there is a time crunch (for example, when they have to prepare for a recital) and we can't otherwise fit in an extra lesson.

Podcasts are easy to consume, as nearly everyone can listen to them while driving. They are also great launch points for discussion board activities. (In fact, without such follow-up, they won't be very effective as a teaching tool)

Content I've Created

Guided Practice Videos
Dorian Drills and Improv

It's not enough to tell kids to "practice", and it's barely enough to tell them how to practice. In this video and others like it, I try to practice with the viewer, as if I was with them in the practice room.

Assessment tool

This tool is not very good. It was perhaps cutting edge 10-15 years ago, but does not meet modern demands for handling media assets and controlling their display in a satisfactory manner.

Something New

Create my own complete course

I've created lots of content to augment existing courses, and I teach online course developed by others. It's getting to be about time I construct my own course from start to finish.
The website Teachable would be a way to do it outside of my institution. Canvas could also handle it, although I don't think they're set up to promote, register, and sell courses they way Teachable is.
However, I use Canvas both with my private students and the kids at Joliet Junior College, so I could certainly use any course I create on that platform with my existing clients. But perhaps I could not easily sell it to the outside world.

Diigo