Kadie Harris

"A Mistake Is Success In Progress" - Albert Einstein

Author: Kadie Harris (Page 1 of 2)

Clap. Count. Play.

June 8, 2025 / / 0 Comments

This week, I focused on on something easily overlooked but so important when learning the piano: time signature and rhythm. My goal was to better understand how time signatures affect the way we count, plat music, and start practicing rhythm by clapping alone with the metronome.

Tools that Helped me this Week: 
What are Time Signatures

Using my educational online platform, “Crack the Code: Learn Time Signatures,” I learned at the beginning of most pieces of music, you’ll see two numbers stacked like a fraction (for example, 4/4 or 3/4). That is the time signature. This tell us how many beats are in a measure and what kind of note gets the best.

Here is my I found:

  • 4/4 is called “common time” and means four quarter-note beats per measure. It has this rhythm as most pop songs. (Count – 1-2-3-4)
  • 3/4 has three quarter-note beats and gives a waltz-like, swaying rhythm. It has this rhythm in classical music or folk songs. (Count – 1-2-3)
  • 2/4 feels like march, a perfect simple strong walking beats. It has this rhythm in dancing music. (Count – 1-2)
  • 6/8 this is called “Compound Time”. This means it has technically 6, but grouped as 2 main beats, each split into 3. It has the rhythm of R&B, Irish jigs, and love songs. (Count – 1-la-li, 2-la-li)
  • 5/4 has five beats in each measure, and each beat is a quarter note. This rhythm is known as being irregular or an odd meter because most music uses even numbers like 2, 3, or 4 beats per measure. This rhythm is usually used in jazz music. (Count – 1-2-3, 4-5)
  • 7/8 means there are seven eight note beats in each measure. This rhythm is also known as being jerky and uneven. This rhythm is also known being in prong rock music as well. (Count – 1-2, 3-4, 5-6-7)

Understanding these time signatures helped me feel more confident when reading music and finding out how to read them.

Clapping with a Metronome

To strengthen my rhythm skills, I used an online metronome and practiced clapping these different rhythms. At first, I kept it simple, clapping quarter notes at a slow tempo (around 60 bpm), once I felt steady, I tried eighth notes and further challenged myself as I got the hang on it.

What I noticed:

  • A metronome is super helpful but also challenging. It took me a while to get the hang of counting my beats without counting the metronome. It showed me where I rush or slow down.
  • Clapping the rhythm before playing helped me internalize the rhythm before touching the keys.
  • I started “feeling” the beat more than just counting it–like dancing with sound.

I additionally used this Youtube video to guide me on clapping beats. It was super easy to use and It honestly made me feel like I knew what I was doing.

Here is a quick video of me trying out these clapping rhythms for the first time!

Goal Reflection 

This week I was able to complete my goal successfully. I explored different time signatures, learned to count them, and practiced clapping along with a metronome. It was a big of a challenge as did harder time signatures that went faster than expected. However, practice makes perfect and redid my rhythm claps until I was on the right track. I found that all my online digital tools this week were easy to use especially for beginners like myself. The tool I found the most helpful this week was the Youtube video called, “Rhythm Clap Along- Level 1 to 3”. It provided my with notes I learned last week into a measure. I was provided with different time measures to practice clapping. What I loved about this video was it would clap the beats first for me to listen than it would do it with me. I highly recommend this video for any future teachers in music or future piano learners.

Next Week

Next week, I’m shifting my focus from  rhythm to ear training–learning to recognize sounds in music without looking at my sheet music. I’m excited (and a little nervous) to try this kind of musical training because it’s new for me, but I know it will make me stronger, more well-rounded piano player. See you then!

The Weight We Carry Online

June 7, 2025 / / 0 Comments

This week, I have been thinking a lot about what we leave behind– not just in real life, but online. In class, we talked a lot about cyber-vigilantism, and digital footprint. At first, I didn’t think I had much to do with these topics personally. However, as we learned more throughout discussions, I realized that each of us carries an invisible trail– one we create every time click, post, and share.

What We Leave Behind

As we discussed in class discussions our digital footprints are more permanent than we think. Screenshots don’t just disappear, and comments made when we were younger and more naive stay lingering throughout the internet for years. It’s a strange thought that even after we’ve changed, grown, or learned better, something we said years ago might still define us in the eyes of others. I noticed photos I have had years ago I have deleted have been saved on my Google Photos. When I noticed this, I was honestly concerned not only the internet holding so many past information, but our Phones hold more than we want to believe to, in which the Government holds more than we want to believe.

In one class discussion this week in breakout rooms we discussed what our personal digital footprint looks like. What show’s up when we google ourselves. I heard many stories from my peers of material on the internet that they didn’t even know existed or was up on the internet made from their friends they didn’t agree to. Luckily, I didn’t have this experience. When I googled myself material that came up was only my edusites. There was no images of me what so ever.  My breakout room and I discussed that possibly since most of our digital apps, such as Instagram, Facebook, and Tiktok, nothing will show up because they are private accounts. On the other hand, people who have the same names as me were also showing up. Luckily for me they were all positive and save images. I am grateful for this image as I would not want future students to search me and see negative or inappropriate material.

Cyber-Shaming 

Another topic we discussed this week was Cyber-vigilantism. I don’t think people realize this happens more than we think. Individuals all over the interest who try to take justice into their own hands–sharing personal information, attacking people online, or this generations “canceling” publicly. Sometimes, we see people who really do come from a place of justice. Back in the summer of 2021, a young woman named Gabby Petito went missing during a road trip with her fiance, Brain Laundrie. After she stopped posting online and communicating with her family, thousands of people on social media, particularly Tiktok, became very involved in trying to help find her and solve her case. Many became “cyber-vigilantes,” looking through her photos, videos, and online clues to find answers. Some even searched her travel route on Google Maps and shared theories. While the attention helped bring awareness and eventually led to finding her body, it also caused harm spreading false information and targeting innocent people.

We also see a side found very often on Tiktok too of individuals who made a video in the past and people on the internet finding it and causing harm to their entire life, including leaving them with nothing left, not even a job.

There’s a fine line between accountability and cyber-shaming. People should be held responsible for harmful things they do or say– but they should also have room to learn and change. One mistake shouldn’t erase someone’s humanity.

What it Means for Me

This reflection has made me think more carefully about what I post and why I post it. It’s easy to click “post” without thinking, without understanding what it can do to our future. As I further format my digital footprint, I want to ask myself now: Will this hurt someone? Will this follow me later? Am I helping or just joining a pile-on?

As I go further in my digital footprint I want to use some tools to help guide me on the correct path for my future. I encourage you to check these out for yourself and think to yourself how you could guide your future path:

  • Google Yourself – Search your name and even where you are from. See what comes up. Is it who you want to be?
  • Jumbo Privacy App – This app helped manage and clean up your digital footprint across different platforms
  • Wayback Machine – This lets you see how digital content sicks around (even after it’s deleted).
Final Thoughts

We’re all growing up online. Especially children who are growing up currently. Mistakes are going to happen. But, we can be more intentional about how we move through digital spaces– more kind, more cautious, more thoughtful. Out digital footprints are powerful.

Counting the Beat

June 2, 2025 / / 1 Comment

This week, my goal was to understand note values–learning how long each note is held when playing music. I also wanted to learn how to count them, and how to draw them correctly on a music staff.

Tools
What I learned

On Music4Kids Youtube channel “Learn about Note Values in Music”. I was taught this basic information:

  • What is a Note Value?
    • A note value indicates the length of a note. Meaning how long you hold the notes for.
    • Each note has three parts. The note head, the stem, and the flag. Each of these parts can tell you the note value.
  • The first note I learned is the Quarter Note. The note head is filled in, and there is no flag at the top of the stem.
    • The note value of a quarter note is 1 beat in a measure
    • A Measure is a short phrase in a music piece. The top number of a time signature is, in this case is 4, is how many beats are in a measure. The bottom number, in this case is also 4, tells you the type of note that gets one beat.
  • The Eighth Note looks like a quarter note, however, it has one flag at the top of the stem. Each flag on a stem means it’s half the notes long.
    • The note value of it is with the time signature is 1/2 a beat
  • The Sixteenth Note with two flags, would be half as long as the eighth note. This can keep going in notes, and the notes can become very short in value.
  • The Half Note looks like a quarter note, but the note head has space in the middle.
    • In the time signature of 4/4 the note value of a half note is 2 beats.
  • The Whole Note looks similar to a half note, however, it has no stem.
    • In a time signature of 4/4, the note value of a whole note is 4 beats. It takes up the entire measure.

I learned that these notes create the rhythm of the song, kind of like a heartbeat of music. Each type of note has a different shape, which helps you know how long to hold it.

To learn/practice writing these note values on a measure. I went onto Pinterest and sound a simple song I could practice drawing. In this case I practiced Mary Had a Little Lamb written by Gilbert DeBenedetti.

What helped me understand their shapes better was practicing this technique:

  • Whole notes are just open ovals with no stem
  • Half notes are open ovals with a stem
  • Quarter notes are filled-in ovals with a stem

Reflection:

This week helped me better understand how rhythm works in music. I used to think all notes were just symbols, but now I know that each one tells me how long to play a sound. Using these free beginner friendly tools online made this easier to learn at my own pace. I still need more practice counting out loud and drawing from my memory, but I’m proud of how far I’ve come in a few weeks. If anyone is wanting to learn note values I suggest my tools provided above. I watched a couple other videos that were not making much sense, Music4Kids Youtube channel is an awesome channel that is great for all ages that helped me understand in a simple manner. Pinterest also has hundreds of easy sheet music to practice off. Not only for sheet music, but for almost anything you want to learn on the interest.

Next Week:

Next week, I want to explore time signatures and how they affect the way we count music. I also hope to try clapping rhythms along with a metronome to build my timing. I would love any suggestions of any platforms if you have benefited from any in your past learning journeys!

Thank you for following along!

Logged In, Tuned In

May 31, 2025 / / 2 Comments

Let’s face it–our students live in a world where the digital and physical are completely blended. Social media, face time, AI tools, and online learning are pretty normal. As someone who works in a before and after school program, I see first hand experiencing students whose whole lives revolves around the digital world. With this being said, in a generation where children are exposed to the digital world as soon as they are able to speak.

Technology is not a separate realm from “real life”–it is real life. Our students live in a blended reality where the lines between online and offline are increasingly blurred.  This is why, teaching digital citizenship isn’t optional–it’s essential.

However, it’s not about telling kids, “Don’t post that!” or “Be nice online.” It’s about helping them become ethical, thought, and responsible humans in all spaces–whether they’re texting a friend or commenting on social media pages.  I’ll approach it the same way I teach kindness, curiosity, and responsibility–by modeling it, practicing it, and talking about it often.

Jason Ohler, in Character Education for the Digital Age emphasizes, 

“Character education needs to extend into the digital realm” 

And I couldn’t agree more!

How I’ll Teach the 9 Elements of Digital Citizenship 

Mike Ribble’s nine elements give me a framework to build from–not as a one-time lesson, but integrated into daily classroom life. Here is how I plan to approach some them:

  1. Digital Access
  • Talk about how not everyone has Wi-Fi or a device at home
  • Talk about digital fairness, and making sure our classroom tech reflects care and inclusion
  • Making sure all students can participate in tech-based activities

2.  Digital Commerce 

  • With younger students, talk about online games and in-app purchases. For example, I have students who enjoy playing Fortnite where you can buy different clothing or characteristics. Asking students questions such as, “Do you need to buy that clothing piece or character?” 
  • With older students by exploring ethical spending, scams and ads
  • I would introduce Mindful Mountain – this is good for all ages – it is a digital platform that introduces cyber safety. Each island on this beside has different forms of cyber safety.
    • In particular the one I will be showing teaches safe sharing and spending in a gamified way.
    • What is cool about this site too is it will give students a certificate of their safety learning once they finish an island

 

3. Digital Communication

 

From Viewers to Creators

May 22, 2025 / / 1 Comment

Watching the first 15 minutes of An Anthropological Introduction to YouTube by Michael Wesch this week really opened my eyes to how much our world—especially our digital world—has changed in such a short time. It honestly hit me with a wave of nostalgia and inspiration. It reminded me of the early days of Vine—back when six seconds was all it took to make you laugh, cry, or go viral. I immediately thought of the iconic “WHAT ARE THOSE?!” trend, where someone would dramatically point at another person’s shoes and yell, “WHAT ARE THOSE?!” If you didn’t know, this trend took off when one hilarious video inspired countless remakes and parodies.

As Wesch explained in his video using the example of the “Numa Numa” guy, the same kind of phenomenon occurred. These moments weren’t about making fun of someone—they were about celebrating them. That’s when I started to realize these moments weren’t just funny—they were part of something bigger: a shared digital culture where people connect, create, and participate together.

Just like the early days of Youtube that Wesch talked about, Vine (and later Tiktok, Instagram, etc..) gave people the chance to not just watch, but create. To connect. To remix. To be part of something. It wasn’t just media anymore–it was participation, collaboration, and building a community. This all made me realize something important. Our students are growing up in a world where participation is the norm. Whether this be through Youtube, Vine (then), Tiktok, Instagram, or even new media trends such as Minecraft (this is older, however getting popular again), and Roblox. Shouldn’t classrooms reflect that too?

Wesch’s video really helped me understand that people and in particular children don’t want to just sit and listen to a lecture–they want to interact, collaborate, and engage with one another. For many generations now, children and people in general are so use to being part of conversations, weather this is through commenting, creating videos, joining on trends, or playing and communicating with one another through digital platforms.

In class we learned about an important idea called, “participatory culture”, and with this I’m understanding to see what this looks like. This isn’t just an idea, but a way people everyday interact. It’s more than posting a video, or commenting. It’s about working together for example in Minecraft to build a house, or building their voices on Tiktok. This is exactly what I want to build in my classroom. I want their learning to be more than writing or testing. I want them in my classroom to build a community, share ideas, and develop wonderful creations. Speaking on Minecraft, as much as it can be a silly game to some. This interactive game can be an excellent tool to use for various subjects, especially to have students be creative with one another.

Source: IGN. 2023. 15 Fun Ideas for What to Build in Minecraft. IGN. https://www.ign.com/articles/minecraft-build-ideas

There is many ways to create and even collaborate with one another in a classroom settings besides Minecraft. There’s digital tools such as Breakout EDU. This tool is like a online escape room style game where students work in teams to solve puzzles, crack codes, and “break out”. A fun tool I loved as a kid was VideoStar. With this tool you can have students create a music video about a topic or a music video of their choice with friends, or they could act out a story through a song. There’s many ways you could use VideoStar for collaboration. You could even teach students coding by having them build their own world/game on Roblox and have the class play their game. Overall, having students create and collaborate it can even mean trusting your students to have a choice–letting them show what they know in different ways in their choice of a digital platform, encouraging creativity.

(Example of a youth making a music video/story through VideoStar)

 

This idea of “participatory culture” has made me think about the role of schools in general and how we use this concept. Understandably, iPhone and personal devices are now often banned to use in schools–mainly because teachers want students to stay focused on their learning rather than being distracted by their phones. However, I do believe theres a growing opportunity for schools to use phones and digital tools as mentioned above in meaningful and positive ways that align with how students already learn and express themselves outside the classroom.

In a world where students are constantly engaging in digital networks, education must evolve to meet them where they are. This means rethinking classroom norms, rethinking how/what/when we use technology, and creating educational experiences that are meaningful through interaction and student-led projects. Either way students are going to use these many digital tools provided for the public, students might as well learn to use it in positive ways at school.

Cracking the Code!

May 21, 2025 / / 1 Comment

My goal this week, I focused on something that once felt like a foreign language to me: reading music notes. At first glance, the staff, lines, spaces, and note names were overwhelming–but once I started breaking it down step by step, it all began to make sense.

Tools I used 

For this week, I explored watching lessons on a YouTube channel and used an app to practice placing notes on a staff. After working with the digital video explanation I used an app to practice identifying notes on the music staff and matching them to the correct piano keys. This helped me start recognizing where each note belongs both visually and on the keyboard. The tools I used were:

What I Learned

In this above video, the Youtuber Pianote taught me many valuable lessons on how to read notes and what each individually means. Through this video I learned:

The Staff:

  • Music is written on 5 lines called a grand staff. At the beginning of a grand staff you will either see a treble clef, which is a swirly note, this is sometimes known as a G clef as well. Or you may see a note called a bass clef, sometimes known as a F clef. This is called the bass clef because it’s played lower on the piano.
  • On a grand staff, music has a five-line staff. It also has 4 spaces between the lines. Notes can either sit on a line or in a space, and their position tells you what note to play.

The Treble Clef (Right Hand):

  • The treble clef is often associated with the right hand.
  • An easy way to identify this is a treble clef is because the line that runs through the centre treble clefs curl is the note G, aligned with line 2. When we want to identify the following notes. In my last week’s learning I learned the note are A, B, C, D, E, F, G. This means, after the G note on the second line, the next note is in the space which is A. This continues through the piano alphabet through the following notes through the line and spaces.
  • Notes don’t only go up the grand scale, but they can go down the scale too! However, you need to create Ledger Lines.

    Source: Pinterest. Musical Notes 101. https://ca.pinterest.com/pin/3307399696884899/

The Bass Clef Notes (Left Hand):

  • The bass clef is often associated with the left hand
  • The bass clef is instead using the lines starting at G-B-D-F-A and the spaces are A-C-E-G

    Source: Piano Keyboard Guide. https://www.piano-keyboard-guide.com/bass-clef.html

Ledger Lines:

  • Notes above or below the staff use small lines (kind of like floating platforms) to keep the music readable.

Middle C: 

  • This is the bridge between the treble and bass clefs–it’s now my home base!

TIPS!: 

  • A great tip she gave to remember the treble clef notes is practicing remembering the saying Every Good Boy Deserves Fudge, which is how to remember the lines for E-G-B-D-F. As well for the spaces to remember the saying for the notes, F-A-C-E. 
  • A great tip she gave to remember the bass clef notes is practicing remembering the saying, Good Boys Deserve Fudge Always, which is G-B-D-F-A. As well for the spaces to remember the saying for the notes, All Cows Eat Grass, for the notes A-C-E-G. 

On the App Notevision I practiced identifying what the notes on the grand scale are and the sounds they make. What I love about this app is it provides real time feedback of how I am doing in my process. For example, In the video I provided I messed up a couple of times. The app stopped me and let me try again before I could continue on. Having this feedback actually helped me recognize every time I messed up, what these key notes were. As I did this practice over and over again, I eventually got the hang of where the notes are. What I also love about this app is theres different ways to practice learning these notes. The app provides lessons on the treble clef with small range of note hints and keyboard notes, this is what I show in the video. It can even show the same note range with no visual aids. This is shown in the second video. What is also super cool about this app is it shows how fast you go when practicing. You could practice over and over again until you beat your score. There is many other cool features on this app such as learning keyboard lesson basics, bass lessons, and grand staff lessons. You can also practice songs, free play, and create your own custom music! I would recommend this for all first time learners when getting to know your notes on a grand staff!

(videos are screen recorded from my iPhone)

My Reflection

This week really boosted my confidence in understanding the language of music. At first, looking at all the lines and symbols on the staff felt confusing, but breaking it down into simple parts—like learning about the grand staff, treble clef, and note patterns—made it feel much more manageable.

Using educational technology tools, such as a YouTube video from Pianote’s page, was super helpful. The instructor explained everything clearly and simply, which made it easy for me to understand.

The most helpful tool this week, however, was the NoteVision app. I liked how it gave me immediate feedback and became more challenging as I improved. The only downside is that it focuses more on memorization than deeper understanding. If you’re someone like me who learns better through explanations or visual patterns, this app might feel a bit limited unless it’s used alongside other learning tools or videos.

Overall, I still have a lot of practice, but I’m proud of how much I’ve learned and I’m excited to keep building on these skills next week!

NEXT WEEK GOALS: Learning note values, how to count them, and how to draw them on a music staff

Meeting the Keys!

May 16, 2025 / / 2 Comments

This week I focused on the absolute basics of the piano, learning the names of the white keys, finding Middle C, understanding finger names, and a easy song with 4 notes. My goal this week was to get comfortable finding notes quickly and using proper hand positioning to prepare for playing simple songs.

Main Resources Used This Week:

This Weeks’s Process:

 This week I decided to use my tech tool for my weekly blog post called Flowkey. This website/app provided a simple easy to use introduction to the piano. Through this I learned:

  • To start by proper posture. When sitting at a piano, you should be sitting up in an upfront comfortable position. Your fingers should be parallel to the keys when you place your hand in middle of the piano. Your elbows should be pointed slightly outward. When you move your arms outward, your elbows can work together with them so your arms can open up.

    Source: Lessons on The Web. Does Posture Make a Difference in Your Piano Playing. https://www.pianolessonsontheweb.com/blog/does-posture-make-a-difference-in-your-piano-playing

  • It gave me a great tip on hand posture. When I first tried playing I noticed I would play notes with my hand slightly straight. Flowkey taught me to slightly bend my fingers and hand. Pretending to hold a small ball!

Source: Pdm piano http://www.pdmpiano.org/prelim_p004_1_hand.html

  • There is a key called Middle C that is the main starting point when playing. It’s the white key just to the left of the group of two black keys near the middle of the key
  • The white keys are named after the first 7 letters of the alphabet: A, B, C, D, E, F, G. For this process, I first learned C, D, E, F, G.

    Once I learned these incredible tips on Flowkey. I switched my learning to SimplyPiano. Through SimplyPiano I learned:

  • Playing rhythm of the keys I learned to get the hang of how to move my fingers to different keys. On SimplyPiano it asked for me to play the rhythm CC, DD. Than progressively got more challenging, DD, C, DD. My first couple of tries it it took me a while to figure out how to read the written notes while looking at the keys where my C or D was. However, I eventually got the hang of it.
  • SimplyPiano encouraged my to try my first song! Say Something written by A Great Big World

     

    This screen recording is SimplyPiano listening to me play. Below is my Piano it is listening to!

Thoughts of Learning Process This Week!

This week I learned a lot about the basics of the Piano! Both apps Flowkey and SimplyPiano has made this week learning the piano way more engaging and accessible. I liked the break down complex concepts into bite-sized, interactive lessons that I can follow at my own pace. It felt as though I was being taught a lesson by an actual teacher. I loved how SimplyPiano gave me instant feedback when I played, helping me correct mistakes right away, while Flowkey offered a more relaxed, visual way to learn songs with real-time guidance and sheet music.

Learning the piano online can work and I encourage for everyone to try! Both educational apps this week made practicing feel less like homework and more like a game – and that’s kept me motivated. Technology has definitely made learning piano from home easier and more fun than I expected.

NEXT WEEKS GOALS: Learning how to read notes and draw them on a staff!

Bringing Learning to Life with Flowkey : A Creative Classroom Tool Review

May 15, 2025 / / 1 Comment

This week, I explored a new to me tech tool called Flowkey, a platform designed to help learners of all ages and skills levels play the piano through interactive, online instruction. Since my learning project this term is focused on learning piano using online resources, Flowkey was the perfect tool to try out.

flowkey app logo

Source Photo: The Smarter Learning Guide: Your Guide to Better at Home Learning https://smarterlearningguide.com/flowkey-review/

What is Flowkey?

Flowkey is a web –based and mobile app that teaches piano through a combination of video tutorials and interactive work sheet. As you play, the app/website listens through your device’s microphone and provides real-time feedback. It also provides feedback and techniques on how to improve.

This app/website is free to try. There is a premium subscription you may use if you wish to unlock all lessons and songs on the app.

Step-by-Step Instructions Using Flowkey

  1. Sign up: Start by signing up by going to flowkey.com or download the app.Sign up for app
  2. Choose your skill level and set up your keyboard or piano
  • Tip: the app will ask you a couple of questions before beginning such as your skill level, your goals, what music you would like to play, if you have a piano.
  1. Click on the first lesson to beginning your journey.

 

Tips for Beginners

  • Use headphones for better sound detection
  • Start with beginner lessons before starting full songs
  • Practice a little each day and repeat small sections if needed until you get onto the right track

 

Starting the first video – Introduction to the Piano Guide

  1. When sitting at a piano, you should be sitting up in an upfront comfortable position. Your fingers should be parallel to the keys when you place your hand in middle of the piano. Your elbows should be pointed slightly outward. When you move your arms outward, your elbows can work with them so your arms can open up.
  2. Your fingers should be slightly bent, like you are holding a small ball in your hand.
  3. The black keys come in groups of 2’s and 3’s. This pattern makes it easy to originate yourself on the piano
  4. The first and important note is the C. The C is always located to the left of the two black keys. A special C is the Middle C. You can find this one to the left of the two middle black keys. The C position is the starting key to other key positions called D, E, F, G.
  5. You will start your first simple song called, Ode to Joy, written by Beethoven, using these 4 first key notes we just learned.

 

How I’d Use Flowkey in the Classroom (SAMAR Model)

 

Flowkey can be a great tool for teaching piano in a music classroom, especially if you have access to keyboard or tablets. If a pandemic were to ever happen again, this would be a great tool to help students through online learning learn the piano. Especially by getting accurate feedback. As an online teacher may not be able to give there full potential on feedback. If it was used in an in person classroom this tool can be used as a homework practice to continue learning and practicing at home. If I was a music teacher I would use all of these strategies including using it as a way for students to record themselves and write or talk about what they found easy or hard, what they improved on, and what they want to try next. Having students examine if a tool such as this works better than in person piano lessons.

 

Following the SAMAR Model it could be super beneficial in these ways. You may view diagram I made or written version below:

  • Substitution: Students use Flowkey instead of regular sheet music
  • Augmentation: The app gives feedback and guides students as they play
  • Modification: Students can learn at their own speed with teacher support
  • Redefinition: Students can record themselves playing and reflect or share their progress online such as through a digital portfolio—something not easily done in traditional piano class

 

Strengths and Weaknesses of Flowkey

Strengths:

  • Beginner-Friendly: Provides clear instructions and step-by-step lessons making it easy to start
  • Interactive Feedback: It listens to your playing and waits for you to hit the right notes
  • Huge Song List: Offers a wide range of songs
  • Flexible Learning: You can learn at your own pace, anytime and anywhere. Will not go forward until you master each step
  • Visually Appealing: The app/website is visually appealing and easy to navigate

Weaknesses:

  • Limited Free Content: Only provides a few lessons and songs for free—you require a subscription to use full access
  • No Personal Feedback: It does not correct technique or posture how an in person would
  • Needs a Quiet Environment: If using a microphone, background needs to be quiet or it will pick up background noise and not give accurate feedback
  • Not for young children: May be hard to navigate as a young child. Aimed for at least 9 year olds.

My final Verdict on Flowkey

Overall, I found Flowkey to be a helpful and easy to use tool for learning piano. It offers great easy to the point instructions with a wide range of song libraries, and real-time feedback. My only downfall with this tool is to go any further in a learning journey of learning the piano you will require a subscription estimating from $149.99 per year ($12.49/month). There is however a 7 day trial you may wish to try before purchasing. Overall, I would recommend this tool for both beginners and teachers looking to add tech to music education. When I tried the free beginner lessons it gave me great feedback. When I messed up on my piano, it told me to go to the beginning to try again. Teachers should definitely try it out!

Tech and Me: Navigating Digital Tools, Distractions, and Balance in Daily Life

May 14, 2025 / / 2 Comments

In today’s world, technology is deeply woven into nearly every aspect of our live—whether we realize it or not. I’ve noticed that a large portion of my day is spent engaging with technology, and lately, I’ve become more mindful of how it impacts my habits, productivity, and overall wellbeing. This week, I made a conscious effort to reflect on how I interact with technology, and here’s what I discovered.

My Most-Used Platforms: Academic and Social Blends

On a typical day, I found myself bouncing between a few core apps and platforms. Unsurprisingly, academics take up a significant portion of my screen time. I’m enrolled in classes at the University of Regina year-around, except during the summer semester. Because of this, I estimate that around 60% of my daily screen time is dedicated to schoolwork—outside of work hours and time spend resting.

The academic platforms I frequently use is Google Docs to complete assignments, and occasionally Canva for creating visuals and presentations for certain classes. Ur Courses is also a key platform I use for accessing course materials and submitting work.

iPhones offer a handy screen time feature that tracks app usage daily and weekly. According to last week’s report, I spent an average of 13 minutes per day—or 1 hour and 32 minutes per week—on Google Docs via my phone. However, I primarily use my laptop for academic work, and I estimate I spend about 3 hours per day on Google Docs there. Similarly, while Safari logged 31 minutes per day (3 hours and 42 minutes per week) on UR Courses via my phone, I actually spend closer to 3 hours daily on this site through my laptop as well.

Outside of academics, I spend time on apps like TikTok, Snapchat, YouTube, and Instagram—mostly for entertainment and connecting with friends. While platforms like Snapchat and Instagram are purely recreational, I do occasionally find educational content on TikTok. I follow several teacher accounts that share helpful resources for the classroom. One of my favourites is Education to the Core, which offers affordable teaching materials through a promoted website I’ve bookmarked for future use.

Staying Organized: Digital Tools That Keep Me on Track

To stay organized, my go-to tool is Google Calendar. I use it to keep track of work shifts, class times, assignment deadlines, and appointments. What I love about it is that it’s accessible on any device and allows for colour coding—purple for appointments, light blue for work, and individual colours for each class. It also sends me timely notifications, which help me stay on top of things.

When I first started University, I used Google Sheets to track my assignments, inspired by someone on TikTok. While that system was helpful, I’ve since found that Google Calendar works better for me. It helps me visualize my week and reduces the anxiety that comes with worrying I’ve forgotten something.

Tackling Digital Distractions

As much as we like to think technology only benefits us, it can also be one of the biggest obstacles to productivity. One of my biggest distractions is TikTok. I’m not sure if it’s the habit of endlessly scrolling or falling down rabbit holes, but I often find myself saying, “I’ll just watch one video,” and suddenly, an hour has passed. I’m especially guilty of this at bedtime. That said, I’ve never submitted a late assignment or let my distractions significantly affect my academic performance.

One strategy that’s helped me is learning to distinguish between intentional tech use and mindless scrolling. When I sit down to do homework, I try to create a focused environment. Since the weather has warmed up, I’ve started working in my backyard, away from people and the TV. I also turn on “Focus Mode” on my phone to silence notifications and restrict access to distracting apps.

Recently, I discovered a platform called LifeAt.io through TikTok. It’s a virtual workspace that creates calming, customizable environments designed to help you focus. It includes simple to-do lists, customizable timers, and background scenes. My favorite is Mount Shuksan—a serene view of mountains and a lake, complete with birds chirping and water flowing in the background. I highly recommend trying it out!

Source: Luminex. Top 5 Aesthetic Virtual Study Spaces to Instantly Boost Focus. Medium. https://medium.com/@Luminex/top-5-aesthetic-virtual-study spaces-to-instantly-boost-focus-52a6d9a589ea

Final Thoughts

This week has helped me become more aware of how I use technology—both the ways it supports me and the ways it can get in the way. With the right tools and a bit of self-awareness, I believe we can all strike a healthy balance in our digital lives.

Introducing Kadie!

May 10, 2025 / / 1 Comment

Hello everyone!

My name is Kadie Harris, and I’m currently finishing my third year as an Elementary Education student at the University of Regina. I will be completing my pre-internship in the fall of 2025, and I’m incredibly excited to begin working more directly in the classroom!

Alongside my studies, I work in a before-and-after-school program at both St. Joan of Arc and Ruth M. Buck schools. Most of my time is spent at St. Joan of Arc, where I’ve had the pleasure of working with wonderful students. This experience has only deepened my passion for teaching and reinforced my desire to be a positive influence in children’s lives.

I am especially passionate about the arts—whether it’s visual art, music, or literature, they bring me immense joy. I’ve been fortunate to incorporate the arts into my programming at work, and it’s shown me just how powerful and beneficial the arts can be in a child’s development and daily life.

(Art I created in 2021) 

Outside of the arts, I also have a deep love for nature. Since I was a baby, my family has gone camping across Saskatchewan in places like Cypress Hills, Rowan’s Ravine, and Buffalo Pound. About four years ago, we settled on a seasonal campsite at Rowan’s Ravine, which has become our home away from home. Being at the lake brings me a unique sense of peace and joy that I truly cherish.

 

( Left Photo – Dad on the left, I am in the middle, my sister is on the right, my mom is taking the photo!)

(Right Photo – This photo was from when I was 5 years old – Far left is me, sister, mom, dad)

I graduated from Martin Collegiate in 2022. At the time, technology in classrooms was still relatively limited. Most of our classrooms used traditional whiteboards and projectors, although a few had SMART Boards—interactive whiteboards that allowed users to write or navigate directly on the screen using a special pen or even a finger. These were typically found in newer parts of the building.

We also had a designated computer room for student use, especially when classroom computer carts weren’t available. In high school, we frequently used Google Docs, Google Slides, and Google Classroom for assignments. Technology played a significant role in our academic work, especially compared to elementary school, where I noticed tech was used less frequently. That said, in the elementary schools I now work in, I see more use of computers and iPads than I expected. It’s clear that education is shifting toward a more technology-integrated approach.

Throughout high school, I took photography from Grades 9 to 12 with two different teachers. In one of those classes, we created personal blogs using Google Sites to share our photography with classmates. Unfortunately, I no longer have access to my original blog due to losing access to my school email, but I still have the outline of the site, which I’ll link here for reference.

I also remember using fun educational tools like Kahoot, which made learning more interactive and engaging. Beyond that, however, we didn’t use much other technology.

Despite this, I learned the basics of blogging during that time and found that I really enjoyed it. I’ve always been someone who loves journaling, and blogging feels like a digital extension of that passion. It provides a creative platform to share ideas, reflections, and personal work.

I’ve also started exploring social media tools like Twitter (X). While I don’t post much myself, I enjoy following teachers who use the platform to share their teaching journeys. It’s something I’d like to become more comfortable with, especially as I move into my internship and professional teaching career.

Thank you for following along with my journey—I’m excited to continue learning, growing, and sharing with all of you!

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