Getting Your Students Into SmartMusic Gradebook

www.smartmusic.com

https://gradebook.smartmusic.com/

We have been using SmartMusic Gradebook for several years now.  It is a HUGE piece of our SmartMusic everywhere plan.  The Gradebook is an excellent way to send musical assignments and collect them from individuals.

But the trick to using the SMGB is getting kids to set-up an account, login and register for class.  I guess that is really three tricks.

There are two obvious ways to do this.  You could send the instructions home and hope the kid is a good reader (or has help) and gets it done that way.  Or, you could take class time to do it.

We have tried it both ways and have found both methods have their upsides and downsides.

With the send it home method:

• Upside-- You probably will get parent support.  Kids probably aren't allowed to install software unsupervised at home.  At least they aren't at my house.
• Downside-- You may wait for months for this to happen!
• Downside-- You might not have students registered for the right section.
• Upside-- Parents will actually be aware that they have the program.
• Upside-- You will hear from the parents that it doesn't work on their computer if it doesn't work on their computer.
• Downside-- You will hear from the parents that it doesn't work on their computer if it doesn't work on their computer.

With the use class time method:

• Upside-- You will have everyone registered for class.
• Upside-- You will have little time spent tracking down the laggards.
• Upside--  It will be the right class.
• Downside-- You may be surprised by how many kids don't confidently know their contact information.
• Downside-- I have yet to meet the music teacher with enough rehearsal time.

Recommendations:

If at all possible, I would recommend the do it in class method.  Yes, you loose some of the parent involvement, but it saves you time in the long run.  You can be sure that everyone is registered and you can check to be sure the student is registered for the right class and fix it right away if they aren't.

I wouldn't do this with out some preparation.  At the bare minimum have students bring their e-mail address to class.  They will also need their address and an e-mail for parents.  Our fifth graders are pretty bright, but they haven't had to fill out this kind of registration form before and it takes a while.  I think we have it down to 40 minutes per class. 

If kids forget their home address, we use the schools address for creating an account.  

You need a plan for siblings that share e-mail accounts as well.  Parents could set-up e-mail addresses for the kids or you could use a bogus e-mail address for the login and have real parent contact addresses inside of the SmartMusic account.   

We just got Google Apps accounts at school for our students, so the individual e-mail address was easy for us.  

Everyone's situation is different.  We have access to computer labs and that makes having everyone do this at the same time possible. If you want to use a lab and don't want to install SmartMusic on all the computers, point your favorite browser to https://gradebook.smartmusic.com/ .  This address will let you use the browser to set-up accounts and register for class.

You would be crazy to do this in a lab setting without an interactive white board or projector.  Walk through it once with a dummy student by yourself.  Show the kids once using a dummy student when they aren't watching their computers to walk them through the process as well.

We used our IWB and had students very carefully follow us every step of the way, one step at a time.  Starting with opening the same browser. Have kids triple-check entries.  This is a situation where one misplaced keystroke will slow everyone down while you trouble shoot and fix things.  It is very important to get the login right as well.  How else are students going to get in to do their assignments?  Grandpa always said, "Don't hurry into trouble."  This is one of those times to listen to him.

If you have just one computer in your classroom, you could train a student to supervise the others in registration.  If you use the send it home method, this could be the way to clean up the late or poorly done registrations.

After setting up the accounts and registering the kids for class, I would make sure that they have written down what their login address and password are.  This could be the one piece of paper that should go in an instrument case.  Having watched our practice room computers for several years, I know that the number one login problem is forgetting the login info.

I would also aim to do this in-class process very early in the year.  What else are you going to do on the first day?  Talk about a bunch of rules?  This may also be the least valuable rehearsal day if you are concerned about that time issue.

This process sounds like a lot of work but it is worth it.  It gets easier with each section of kids you work with and kids with existing accounts will breeze right through this.  

SmartMusic Gradebook is THE way to keep tabs on your students and help them grow as musicians.  It will also help you to improve your teaching as well, just listen for trends of what to fix.  Getting them logged-in and registered is worth every minute.

ADDENDUM:
This is harder for students who haven't had an SmartMusic account before.  If they remember their account login info and password from last year, registering for this year's class is a breeze!  Figure half the time on this project for the experienced users.  I would still have them register for class as a group.  Nice to have them all in the gradebook.

SmartMusic 2012 is out!

http://www.smartmusic.com/

SmartMusic 2012 is out!

If you have a current subscription it is available for you to use right now.  Just visit the web site and do the download/update thing.  If you are new, I believe that you may download it and try some samples before purchasing.  I think that if you try it you will want it.

The group of musicians with the biggest news with this version are the singers and others who need to polish their sight singing skills.  2012 supports voices.  This may be the version that has been waited for the longest!

Four sight singing books, an exercise book and SmartMusic's own vocal exercises are currently supported.  Hopefully, this is just the start of what could be an avalanche of literature.  This is a good start for what might be the biggest group of musicians that can benefit from the SmartMusic magic.

I have tried it out and it does work with my tired old summer tenor voice and the instrumental mic that I had laying around the house.  If I were going to do a lot of singing I would get the "Garth B" look-a-like kit with the mic that fits over my head.  SmartMusic's accuracy is boosted by having the mic in a consistent place.

I tried the sight-singing exercises that came from SmartMusic and there is something there for every level of student.  You can find what you need to work on in a hurry with this program.  This is a tool I wish I had for my college sight-singing courses.  I could have used a lot more patient practice with feedback on these important skills.

The interesting thing is that you are trying to beat the machine.  This is great "place" to be teaching and there is research to back it up.  Just look-up Serious Games on Google (or Amazon for a book on the topic) to see what I mean.

If you are looking for opportunities to encourage independence in your young singers, this is it.  haven't used SmartMusic before?  Prepare to be the coach giving advice on how get it right to beat the machine.

All musicians (Instrumentalist and Vocalists) can now benefit from SmartMusic.  I encourage you to add this to your program.

SmartMusic and Mp3 Import Feature

MP3 Audio files http://www.smartmusic.com/Support/QuickStart.aspx

If you aren't the patient type the Mp3 audio import is for you.

It seems to be taking forever for SmartMusic to get your song into SmartMusic? Is your series missing something? Found the perfect assignment for the students, but it isn't in SmartMusic? The vocal library isn't big enough?

Do you have a digital audio recording of it? You can add it to your SmartMusic library. Follow the links to the QuickStart videos and you will find out how to do this. It is fairly simple. Watching the video can take longer than actually doing the import.

As with many short cuts, there are some problems when you import audio to get what you want. You may have to convert the file to a Mp3 format (iTunes will do this and it is free.) On-screen assessment (red notes/green notes) doesn't happen by magic, so some kids will wonder if SmartMusic is working when the assessment is not there (listen to the recording.) In spite of those issues, it is still a wonderful way to manage the documentation of your kids' progress and worth the effort.

Why wait?

SmartMusic Tip and an Interesting Motivator

Not all assignments need to have a point value.

My kids can get confused over deadlines. They are young. They also can use the help with their practice that SmartMusic provides. They are also inexperienced.

So when I look into next quarter and see a pretty hard assignment coming up (along with the concert and a bazillion other things), I get a little conflicted. Do I send an assignment early for next quarter? (and hope they don't try to turn it in before it is really ready... Mr. Whaley, it was the end of the quarter! I had to turn it in.) Do I tell them to use the new search features and practice this piece for next quarter? (and hope they can actually find the right one.) Hmmm.

My compromise solution is the "practice opportunity" that is worth zero points in the grade book. Turn it in if you want. The real one comes out next quarter. I do tell them why I am sending it with no points attached and tell them that practice now, will save a lot of sweat later.

Believe it or not, I get "thank yous" from motivated students.

I also get students who do turn in the assignment that has no points attached to it. Interesting. I think I need to talk to a couple of students about why they sent it in after reading up on intrinsic motivation. I do get to work with some neat kids.

Maybe my classes are too short...

The SmartMusic in General Music project slogs on.

So far it has taken two days to get everyone registered for most of my classes. There is a lot of information to populate into the program. Most of it is pretty important.

I wish there were a way for a teacher to put his/her kids into the SmartMusic Impact/Grade Book and be able to just tell the student what his login and password are.

By importing a spreadsheet. That would be nice.

If you are going to use SmartMusic strictly as a testing environment at school, leave lots of class time to enroll for class.

If you have it going out the door and into kids homes with parents helping to set the whole thing up, you will be saving valuable class time.

BASIC SmartMusic Troubleshooting.

http://smartmusic.custhelp.com/app/

It was a busy day for SmartMusic in my room yesterday. We are "Enrolling for Class" my general music classes and doing assignments before and after school. Really busy.

So at the end of the day, when one of my saxes was not seeing her red and green note feedback, I was mildly surprised. We really hadn't had a problem all day. But that must have been close to 40 people logging in.

Switching mics and restarting the program really didn't help.

Not to panic. I'll just go to the support site (http://smartmusic.custhelp.com/app/) and get a little help from the knowledge base. It is easily searched. Most of the clues I got from there though involved Windows. We run Macs in the practice rooms. Hmmm.

Still not going to panic. What is the first thing they will ask if I call? "Have you tried restarting the computer?" I am pretty sure that tech support people everywhere wake up in the middle of the night saying that. I'm pretty sure they have to get a tattoo with that on it someplace as well.

Make sure the USB mic adapter is plugged in ok and and do the restart. Sure enough, it works.

Always try the easy stuff before you call or panic.

I think kid internet access is improving. Helps with SmartMusic

We never order SmartMusic for every single student.

It makes no sense to order two subscriptions for a house that only has one computer. It makes no sense to order a subscription for a house that has no internet connection.

Send out the system requirements for SmartMusic and then do a survey. Ask how many will be able to do this at home. That will give you a better idea of how many to order than a straight-up head count.

I thought we could guess. We have a couple years of experience.

Nope. That doesn't work because kids are getting better access at home. Parents need a system to keep connected and pay the bills. My ratio of haves and have-nots was off by 20 kids. Nice problems to have in a down economy.

The Post Office loses out when parents get the home internet connected machine, but it helps our kids with better access.

New year. New version of SmartMusic. Let's go!

The beginning of any school year brings lots of excitement and not just for the kids.

We are just wrapping up our annual Middle School Band Camp Week.

Hard to believe, but we can convince 60 kids to give up a week of their summer vacation and come in for help with their chosen instrument.

Concert Friday! And it should be a good one.

We are doing a little demo of SmartMusic 2010 before the show for interested parents and all of our campers. We invited the parents so they can see what we want kids to be doing with their computers. We are also planning to do this demo during our "Back to School Night" as well.

I think 2010 is a nice upgrade. Big easy to find buttons for common tasks should make it easier for my students and parents to get around in this program.

I think the basics of installing SmartMusic, activating the subscription and registering for class are the main ideas we want to get across to families. Also on the list is the grade book.

Most folks understand the concept of putting in the disc or downloading the program. So the install portion always gets done. The concept of "subscription activation" may be a little different.

SmartMusic works on a subscription basis. You pay your $30 a year. This keeps costs down and makes the job of supporting the software easier (there is only one version active at a time.) When you think about it, we are renting software all the time if you keep up with the updates. Subscribing is a different business model than a lot of software licenses you use, but more honest.

Registering for class. Hmm. I think I am going to try a slightly different approach this year. Last year I had two sections of each level that I taught. A schedule change or a student picking the wrong section made more work for me. I use the same assignments for both sections and one can make assignments for specific students... do I really need to have them in two sections? So, this year, instead of two, I am going with one big section for each grade level. I think this will be less work. We will see.

The SmartMusic Grade Book is more prominent in this version. I like that for a number of reasons. Mostly because I DO LISTEN and COMMENT on EVERY recording. I hope kids and parents take advantage of that and complete the feedback loop by reading what I have to say! If you are planning your year (and what teacher isn't?) allow time at the end of the terms to listen to all those assignments. You will know more about your bands and your parents will know what you are thinking too. Use SmartMusic Grade Book as your communication tool.

New year. New version of SmartMusic. Let's go!

SmartMusic Training Guide

I got my copy of the SmartMusic Training Guide in the mail Friday.  I have spent some time looking it over for ideas for next year.  I think parent training will lower the number of SmartMusic related calls.  If I can figure out a way to get those to zero, I'm all for that.

This guide is designed to help you manage training for yourself or others.  I think it hits the mark on this.  It does take a subject with a lot of features and tailors and structures what you need to know nicely.  There is a plan included for each audience.  Parents, students, teachers and administrators all have different things they should know about SmartMusic.

If you think you may be presenting SmartMusic to an audience without an internet connection, the included "Supplemental Materials Disc" will help out a lot with the movies.  The key movies are on the disc.  These movies are also on the web site. 

That brings me to the question, do you really need this book?  It did take $53 to get it.  If you want an excellent pre-made set of presentation plans the answer is maybe.  The information is available on their web site and you should be able to figure out what people need to know.  After all, you are a teacher and that kind of thinking is what you  do.  However, it IS very helpful to have this in your hands to make sure you don't miss something for one of your audiences.  This purchase is a convenience call.

So, How Many of You Load Your Own Software?

I was thinking about how things work when it comes to computers.

How many people actually load and authorize/activate their own software today?

I am a bit befuddled by people who think they know how computers work and can't make this process work.  Thinking back on the year so far, September and October are the months for questions about installing/authorizing/registering for class in SmartMusic and how the process mysteriously doesn't work right.  

I would say that installing SmartMusic is no more difficult than installing Office or Photoshop, especially the restricted student versions.  Have your passwords, be connected to the internet, watch out for the caps lock key, know the difference between a letter O and a number 0, keyboard carefully and follow directions.  I would say that covers 99.9% of the problems.

In some ways, I wonder if it is the IT department's fault.  In insisting on protecting people and their computers, (actually it's protecting computers from their people!) people don't install very much software these days.  They don't have that kind of permission at work.

The Geek Squad and the Apple Geniuses must do banner business with people that don't buy their software pre-installed.

SmartMusic and Parents

We had a couple of concerts last night.  They went well.

We also took a couple of minutes to talk about SmartMusic and how parents can use it too.

We walked them through the login process, showed what it looks like when there is and isn't an assignment waiting, the microphone wizard and the tuner.  We also showed them the link to get to their side of the grade book page.   We also told them that we DO leave comments on the kids playing here.  We also told the kids not to send in work that really wasn't up to their standards by using the "Try Again" and "Save a Take" buttons.  

I didn't bring this up, but I would really rather a kid took the time to learn a project well, then send it in.  Even if the assignment is a little tardy.  That's a Dr. Dufour/PLC thing... it's about learning, not necessarily about turning in work.  The "Save a Take" button encourages students to get it right.

We did this with screen shots and a slide show.  I'm infamous for SmartMusic demos that don't include opening SmartMusic.  In this case, not opening SmartMusic saves you from finding an internet connection in the cafeteria.  We aren't wireless here yet.  Not opening can speed your talk as well.  If you talk somewhat slowly this is a five minute talk.  Hopefully, it gets some parents checking the work too.

SmartMusic End of Quarter Tips and Observations

Well the end of the quarter has arrived.  Actually, it was last week and the report cards went home today.

I did take late work.  I always have because if I make an assignment, it is because I want to know the kid really knows this stuff.  Yeah, it is extra work now, but the pay-off later will make a difference.  No unimportant assignments!  SmartMusic does help track student progress.

I did have some interesting things happen to kids who took advantage of my generosity.

If a student "enrolled in class" after the deadline for the assignment, I  would have to go into the little note tab (it looks like a cell note in Excel) and manually adjust it so the student gets the assignment added to his project list. 

If a student tried to submit the project after the term was over, I needed to go into the assignment in Impact (click on the assignment description in the grade book) and set the last accepted date back a bit.

Both problems were things I could have prevented and no big deal.  I will be choosing my dates more  wisely in the future. Fortunately, I check my Impact grade book and e-mail often and saw some of these coming.

The end of the quarter is also a good time to get those kids registered for the wrong class fixed. Any data base administrator will tell you that keeping the data correct and current is the biggest part of the job.  Some kids have schedule changes as well.  Time to maintain the data!

  

Happy Halloween. Scary end of the quarter.

We are rushing madly towards the end of the quarter.

The music area sounds like a music area.  I really kind of dig the sounds of the practice rooms.

I had an email from a while back that was asking for ideas on how to get kids to get enrolled and to submit their assignments... I don't have any clever ways of making that happen. 

I am lucky enough to have a student assistant and another teacher nearby, so the real hardcore stragglers have been walked through the enrollment process.  I can't tell you what a blessing that is.  I owe a bunch of favors.

Most of the time, when you get kids past enrollment they can figure out the rest.  They have logged in on other programs and networks by fifth grade.

I would say I have most of the assignments back from the deadline from two weeks ago.  The rest will get several notes from me saying that the assignment is due.  I will also go through the list and tell the laggards in class (and out-loud) that they need to get this in.  I also tell everyone that got it done well and in "Thanks" and "Good Job."  I don't mention scores,  you and I both know that can cause problems and I am staying positive with the people that are late... "you need to get this in."  That's a message the student can do something about.

I think this is an important enough project for our program that I am seriously thinking about having any missing SmartMusic assignments as a reason for an incomplete grade, not just "points off."  I do end up taking late work (at no penalty.)  I like to think my assignments are important for the kids to learn and really the only deadlines are imposed by mark reporting for the office.  This way of working may not work for you.

This fall, I have been getting back great work. The mic wizard is really working well.  The do-it-over-because-I can't-tell-what-that-is assignment has been very rare.  There were a few last fall that hurt to listen to because the mic was set too loud.

I also think that students that login are going all the way and really, really working hard.  I have seen 17 takes on one kid's assignment.  A positive video game mentality creeps in and they "play" SmartMusic until they have it.

Keep the kids focused and insist they enroll and remind them frequently to get installed, enrolled, practiced, recorded and submitted.  I think the results are worth it.

So, do I think that I will be replaced by a computer...

Having the practice room computers with SmartMusic on them gives me a little insight once a while.

I was hanging out in the hall outside the practice rooms listening to a student work on his playing test.  As time went on the tone was getting better but the wrong notes were not!  Seems that he was looking at the score and listening to the recording for tone, but not digging deeper into the real reason why the score was not going up.  (As in not looking at the screen shot that shows the right and wrong notes.)

Do take the time to teach your students to look for errors in their work.  Look for patterns in your errors and fix them.

Do I feel threatened by the computer doing my work for me?  Nope.  But the work has changed a little.  I now supply guidance instead of error detection.

This Year's Question...

This is year two.  This year's SmartMusic question is "Why aren't my assignments showing up?"

When asked if they had any trouble with the install and activate parts of the process the answer is always "No, that went way easier than last year."

My next troubleshooting question is always did you "Enroll for Class?"  Then the puzzled look starts.  Show them the button that does that trick and they will be all set.  The button is on the first SmartMusic screen.

Students can even enroll on a machine at school, or anywhere SmartMusic is installed.  I have had my successful enrollees take my I-don't-have-it-done-yet group over to the practice rooms and walk them through it.  I think I will be doing this again this week. 

I wonder how this could be made easier?  Install, activate, AND enroll.

SmartMusic (11) in a Pervasive Deployment. Year 2. A great start!

Just in case you have just stumbled into this blog, I am a big SmartMusic and SmartMusic Impact fan.  We are requiring all our beginners, second year and third year students to use this program to document their progress and to encourage proper practice.

Other things about our program:  We are in the second year of having our sectional time cut.  We are funding this with a fee.  For students who can't afford the fee, we have a scholarship program.  (Thanks Boosters and PTO!)  Everyone needs to have the fee covered.  If you have no computer access at home, you are helping to cover the cost of the school machines.  For students with no internet connected computer, we have 3 practice room computers available before and after school and at lunch recess.  We also have 3 teacher stations that have SmartMusic on it as well, so we should be ok to handle a 6 person rush in a pinch.

Back to what is happening now.  We are expecting 180 installs this fall.  We are already at 55 in 2 days.  I would say that this is much better than last year.  I made an assignment on Tuesday and I have already had 7 already returned for review. (It is only Thursday!) If everything keeps moving at this pace, I would say that the second year goes much smoother.

Why is that?  That is hard to say.  The interface remodel has made things much easier for the parents and kids to understand.  These kids may be more the go-getter type.  (It's early in the year and I really couldn't confirm or deny that.)  What ever it is, wow!

The recordings that are in are much better in quality this year!  I'd like to think that I am a better teacher.  I'm pretty sure the mic set-up wizard is paying off.  There may be some under-the-hood technical reason for the better sound as well.  I like it!

Some ideas to think about and a few tips:

My teaching partner had a slip to hand students that did not have their fee paid that gently reminded their parents about the fee and the scholarship program.  If student didn't get the disc, they now knew the reason why and it was very carefully explained how to take care of this. Everyone got something or knows what to do.  I plan to steal this idea.

Microphones were an add-on to the fee.  The really expensive year is the first year when everyone needs a mic.  Unless the cat go it (and that happened to 3 mics!) you don't need to pay for it again.  First year kids with no older siblings probably do need the mic.

I like to keep the enroll in a class conversation separated from the program activation conversation.  Day One of the big disc hand-out we watched the Quickstart videos on the SmartMusic web site paying special attention to the installation and activation segments.  

Day Two of the big roll out, I printed out a screen grab of the first screen and drew some arrows to the enroll for class button.  Have the kids write what class to enroll in on this sheet and they should be able to get the sign-up done.  

I also wrote down on the sheet that it is best to use a real e-mail address and most of our kids were using their student id numbers as passwords.  I know the "obvious password" is a breach of security, but this password really just protects their privacy a bit.  These are grades and projects for heavens sake, not state secrets.  What is the worst that could happen?  Someone sneaks in and does an assignment for you?  I have had kids wait to finish their projects until they could get ahold of the password help in their parent's e-mail.

I have my own domain name/e-mail deal set-up so I could issue dummy e-mail accounts to kids who don't have e-mail.  Their mail goes to my junk e-mail drawer.  That way I can help with passwords and I am reminded who needs the in class reminders.  After I send a reminder, I check my junk drawer.

I haven't had to do this, but if you suspect fraud (like someone sneaking in and doing the assignment) the practice room computers would make a lovely pop quiz site.  The other defense is to have the kids say their name during the count off.  Kind of like signing their papers.

Well this is a wordy post.  I hope it has been worth the read.  As always, post a question if you have one.  I think the second year of pervasive SmartMusic use is off to a great start!

SmartMusic Tip

If you go (and I think you should) with the site license for SmartMusic, be careful about over ordering.  It is easier to add more subscriptions than it is to return them.  

But be careful about under ordering as well, because there has been a price break for quantity.  (Ask a rep,  because the pricing structure has changed and I am not 100% sure the discount program has remained...)

SmartMusic Help

I have been looking through my posts and looking at Goggle Analytics.

My most popular posts are about "help" with "SmartMusic." I have a few tips that could easily be put into one post.  (People are right.  Blogging does help you distill your thinking.) Want to know how to do something in SmartMusic? Check out their QuickStart videos. I think when you are telling kids how to use SmartMusic, you need to teach them how to get to these movies. They haven't missed too much here. I really like the school site license method of getting the SmartMusic in kids hands. If it is not in your budget, do a fee.  (If it is in your budget, is your district hiring?)

If you do the fee, the hard part is collecting the money (duh.)  Plan where and when to collect it.  We went with registration time.  Parents were planning on paying fees then.  Help your parents out, tell them how much and what it is for ahead of time.  Be ready to tell them how it will help their students.

Plan the microphones into the fee.  The first year will be the most expensive as everyone needs a mic.  Second year, just the new people will need mics.  Have extra mics.  Apparently CATS have something against them.  We had 5 cats-microphone incidents this year.

If a family doesn't have a computer, their fee will go towards support the practice room computers.  

Have practice room computers.  I know 94.86% of my kids have internet connected computers at home.  I was surprised how many had problems.  I shouldn't have been.  Mom or Dad's office hand-me-down may not be a great computer.  Also, new computer or not, we are all one hard drive crash away from being in a jam when the project is due.  Practice room computers solve many problems.

Have a scholarship program with your boosters or school parent group for the kids that can't swing the fee. 

You can do a SmartMusic program at your school.  There is lots of support available.  Visit the SmartMusic web site and see.  There is help there for both the teacher and student.