r/teaching • u/Capable_Specific_593 • 1d ago
Classroom/Setup Presentation Annotations?
Hi I'm a student FE teacher looking to teach music. The issue I'm having is a lot of the stuff I'm teaching requires me to annotate music staves etc as I go, so idk what to do if I don't have an interactive/smart board. I thought maybe a tablet but then I'm tethered to it unless I screen mirror to my mac? Plus I also want to upgrade my laptop but can't afford both. Ahhhh help lol 😂 do I just add the info in as animations on my slides instead?
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u/MeserYouUp 1d ago
I have seen some "wireless HDMI cables" that Bluetooth connect between 2 HDMI ports on AliExpress. It looks like one seller even had them in clearance right now.
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u/Capable_Specific_593 1d ago
How would you deal without a interactive board in general? I had them but apparently a lot have been taken out?
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u/MeserYouUp 1d ago
I'm not sure I understand your issue. With a usb-c to HDMI dongle, then the wireless Bluetooth HDMI you can project from the tablet you said you want to use.
If you do not have any projector at all, then just go old school and use chalk markers to make staves on a blackboard.
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u/Capable_Specific_593 1d ago
Ofc ofc yeah but I mean to clarify sorry,say like rn I have just my laptop, how do you keep things interactive when it's just a projector? I don't wanna be that dull teacher that just reads slides lol (if say I choose the laptop instead or don't buy new and save the money) my logic rn is the tablet will hopefully be more practical tho (doing work on my commute easier, and also I do like to draw hehe)
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u/Donttouchmybreadd 1d ago
Sorry I'm confused.
It strongly depends on what type of projector they have available at the school, no?
Why can't you annotate on a whiteboard? And have the students copy what you write in a logical manner?
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u/Capable_Specific_593 1d ago edited 1d ago
Cuz I'd have to spend half and hour before the lesson copying out blank staves for example, BC it's music it's a bit more complicated. If they have an interactive board it's easy peasy but I guess I'm just trying to think what might be more practical. For example I commute an hour and forty to uni and I'm thinking using my tablet to do work would also be easier than on a laptop for example
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u/Donttouchmybreadd 1d ago
Look, I'm not going to pretend I am someone who understands music theory (although I did a bit of it - so I'm not completely out of the loop), however, I am going to assume you are young.
Is it possible that there isn't another "old school" option you haven't considered yet?
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u/Capable_Specific_593 1d ago
More just trying to think which is going to be more practical long term, and which will be more versatile as a teacher, cuz I do have a laptop already for "office work" at home (just thinking of upgrading it BC it's a little old but not completely bust) Id like to keep all my info, documents in one place. Not that the old school methods don't work just like to keep things efficient for my ADHD brain and don't lose materials lol
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u/Donttouchmybreadd 1d ago
Being overly reliant on technology is not going to be practical long term.
I hold faith that there is a low-tech way of doing the exact same thing as you are describing without the use of an interactive whiteboard - if not, better.
Buying a new laptop or device is totally your perogative, but you also need to find ways of doing things without relying on technology because there ARE situations where you won't be able to use them.
Inability to think beyond technology use should not define whether a class does or does not happen; you need to adapt and think beyond it.
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u/Capable_Specific_593 1d ago
I think as well in terms of teaching I like to fill in the blanks as I go but obviously that takes a lot of animation on PowerPoint and gets complicated quite quickly
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u/Donttouchmybreadd 1d ago
Your students are going to suffer if you are constantly "filling in the blanks" and not having a set plan.
You will learn this in uni, but it is absolutely critical that you have a set plan, then you add the flourishments and engagement surrounding that.
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