{"id":23473,"date":"2015-03-09T11:22:17","date_gmt":"2015-03-09T15:22:17","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/emu.edu\/now\/news\/?p=23473"},"modified":"2015-04-17T18:01:38","modified_gmt":"2015-04-17T22:01:38","slug":"music-teacher-uses-music-mixing-technology-to-engage-young-djs-in-stem-learning","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/emu.edu\/now\/news\/2015\/music-teacher-uses-music-mixing-technology-to-engage-young-djs-in-stem-learning\/","title":{"rendered":"Music teacher uses music-mixing technology to engage young DJs in STEM learning"},"content":{"rendered":"

Before classes begin at Smithland Elementary School in Harrisonburg each morning, beeps, beats and bass can be heard from Perry Shank\u2019s music room. His students are learning the art of sound engineering with the help of music-mixing technology and scientific toys.<\/p>\n

Shank\u00a0[EMU BA ’99 in music] teaches his classes and the school\u2019s DJ club how to make electronic music by layering sound.<\/p>\n

Whether students use iPads, digital sequencers or the Numark mixdeck DJ system in the back of the classroom, they are taught to find the musical balance between \u201csound and silence.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIf they\u2019re in the car listening to music they can hear the themes we\u2019ve dissected in class,\u201d Shank said after the DJ club\u2019s Monday morning session. \u201cThey start to understand how music works.\u201d<\/p>\n

All his students from kindergarten through fourth grade use the equipment. They learn how to \u201cjuggle\u201d beats and scratch a record on the mixdeck.<\/p>\n

\"A<\/a>
A student mixes music using an electric controller. (Photo by Nikki Fox)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The machine is a digital version of a vinyl turntable, with a computer screen to show the musical waves being created.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was tricky at first. It\u2019s fun though,\u201d said Leah Greenfield, 10. She and Liam Wightman, 10, will demonstrate the mixdeck for Harrisonburg City Public Schools\u2019 STEM Day on Saturday [Feb. 28].<\/p>\n

Across the room, third-grader Omari Faison, 9, tweaked the settings of a Korg digital sequencer to create a looped beat. The device contains 100 sound samples and fits inside a pencil case.<\/p>\n

With a few adjustments, Omari was able to produce a range of beats.<\/p>\n

Not all Shank\u2019s technology is strictly designed for music.<\/p>\n

Fourth-graders Anish Aradhey, 9, and Julia Obenschain 10, will use littleBits circuitry kits at STEM Day to build a synthesizer. Shank said the kits allow users to work on separate currents for greater collaboration.<\/p>\n

Anish said the trick is to keep all the pieces connected so the sound stays intact.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd to save power, you have to turn [the battery] off when you\u2019re building it,\u201d Julia said.<\/p>\n

Shank received grants from James Madison University, Smithland\u2019s parent-teacher organization and the division\u2019s Transforming Classrooms Through Technology program. The division purchased the mixdeck last year using leftover music program funds, while Shank also brought some of the equipment from home.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s great because the kids work on troubleshooting their own issues,\u201d Shank added.<\/p>\n

He wanted enough tools to let students work independently during class time.<\/p>\n

\u201cTechnology\u2019s kind of my thing,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

To hear some of the students\u2019 creations go to www.soundcloud.com\/dj_maestro01<\/a> .<\/p>\n

Courtesy of the Daily News-Record, Feb. 24, 2015<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Before classes begin at Smithland Elementary School in Harrisonburg each morning, beeps, beats and bass can be heard from Perry Shank\u2019s music room. 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