Tech Talk 

As the new AMEA Technology Chair, I hope to provide the membership with resources to help incorporate technology use in the music classroom.  I direct the Music Technology program at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, teach courses in Computer Music and direct the UAB Computer Music Ensemble.  Prior to coming to Alabama in 2008, I taught at Transylvania University in Lexington, KY.  I am also a former high school and middle school choir director.  You can contact me at slpmusic@uab.edu.  Several exciting things are happening in Alabama related to music technology that I am eager to share with you.

 Alabama State Chapter of TI:ME

This past January, at the AMEA conference, a group of music educators met and decided to form an Alabama State Chapter of the Technology Institute for Music Educators (TI:ME).  This is a non-profit organization whose mission is to assist music teachers in applying technology to improve teaching and learning in music.  The organization was founded in 1995 with the following four goals:

1.      To codify technology instruction into a cohesive set of standards.

2.      To create a national certification process recognizing the achievement of in-service music teachers in music technology.

3.      To create an organization with a network of members with similar interests and needs. 

4.      To create an internet presence (www.ti-me.org), newsletter, and publications that would provide teachers with training in music technology.

Since its founding, the organization has grown to nearly 1,000 members worldwide, with local chapters in 14 states and Singapore.  There are currently many TI:ME members living and teaching here in Alabama.  In fact, several Alabama teachers have been involved with the organization on a national level.  UAB professor Henry Panion and Auburn professor Kim Walls serve on the organization’s national advisory board and Karen Garrett, Instrumental Music Technology teacher at Central Park Elementary School in Birmingham, was named the 2006 National TI:ME Teacher of the Year (go to her website at www.musictechteacher.com to see why).

 Why Join TI:ME?

While access to the TI:ME website and many of its resources is free to any interested music teacher, for only $40, teachers can become TI:ME members and benefit from a wealth of resources and training opportunities.  Some of these benefits include:

1.      Eligibility for Level 1 and Level 2 National Technology Certification

2.      Discounts on TI:ME publications and TI:ME-sponsored events

3.      Networking with music teachers around the country through the TI:ME members electronic discussion group.

4.      Free subscriptions to Electronic Musician and Keyboard Magazine (valued over $85)

5.      Access to the members-only content the TI:ME website including:

a.       A searchable database of lesson plans to help you integrate technology into your teaching.

b.      A searchable database of research in music education technology to assist you in teaching and advocacy.

c.       Articles on using technology in music teaching.

d.      Free tutorials to help you learn music software.

Why a State Chapter?

The existence of a state chapter allows a greater presence for music technology instruction and support in the state through networking, conferences, and encouraging technology presentations at the annual AMEA convention.  The leadership of the state organization is as follows:

President: Scott Phillips, University of Alabama at Birmingham

Vice President: Karen Hickok, Northside Intermediate School, Opelika, AL

Advisory Board: Carrie Cruz, North Highland and Concord Elementary Schools, Hueytown; Kimberly Walls, Auburn University; Henry Panion, University of Alabama at Birmingham; Karen Garrett, Central Park School, Birmingham.

To learn more about the Alabama TI:ME chapter go to www.ti-me.org/AL (caps sensitive).