Children have access to so many technology-based educational resources both at home and at school. With just an at home or school computer, children can use a huge selection of online resources to learn about new concepts, jam with people from far away, practice at home, or develop their first musical concepts.
www.metronomeonline.com
In the past, if a student needed to practice with a metronome, that student had to pay around $30 to purchase one. Now, anyone can go online and use the free metronome on this website. This website greatly increases availability of this practice tool by making it free online. The website also features a tutorial on how to use the website as well as a downloadable metronome.
www.ejamming.com
Musicians from anywhere around the world can use this website to jam with each other in real time. Any sized ensemble can gather online to create a unique musical experience. Privacy settings allow for participants to make rehearsals and performances public or private. Participants can also come together for combined performances. This free service requires a fast Internet connection for best results.
http://musicedmagic.com/Exhibit/composers.html
This interactive musical timeline responds to a click on a composer’s name. When the name is clicked, a short bio appears along with a youtube video corresponding with that composer. The composer’s names are also listed on the side of the timeline for easy clicking. Also on the website is a menu with music history time periods to narrow research to a single time period. This website would be an excellent research source for a middle school children or older.
http://pbskids.org/games/music.html
PBS Kids has created a very interactive educational play area with their entire website. Aimed at more of a younger audience, this website currently has 23 music games for children. Games include “Dragon Tales” Share-a-song, “Sid the Science Kid” Sandbox Symphony, and “Arthur” Groove It. The interactive games introduce new sounds to children and explore basic musical concepts like the beat, rhythm, and high and low sounds.
http://www.playmusic.org
Playmusic.org has a huge array of different games, interactive activities, and informational sections. Directed at mostly upper elementary-aged children, this website includes sections on different instruments, famous musicians, and even a music composition section. This website is very complete in its scope of orchestral-style music and has something to interest any child.
With so many online music educational tools available online, parents and teachers have many choices as to what resource to use. Whatever a child’s musical interests, there is an online musical activity for them!
Amy Schumaker - Amy is a young musician based out of Philadelphia. A native of northeast Ohio, she went to Capital University Conservatory of Music, where ...
