Spotlight: ACCE 2018 Pre-conference Workshop: Computational Thinking and Music Education

Facilitator: Judith Bell

Computational thinking (CT) applies to subjects outside computer science, and music is no exception. CT ideas such as decomposition, patterns, abstraction and algorithms can all be exercised in a meaningful way while at the same time engaging students with key concepts from music. This workshop will present ideas for having students exercise ideas from music while at the same time developing skills relating to CT. The focus will be on primary school level (participants will get the most out of this session if they have a basic understanding of music theory). It is helpful if participants bring their own computer / tablet.

Judith Bell heads the Music Department at Chisnallwood Intermediate School in Christchurch, New Zealand, which she has grown from a small programme to a large, diverse and thriving department over the last 19 years. She is involved in teaching, conducting, performing, arranging, and recording music in a range of styles. At Chisnallwood she organises music groups including orchestra, rock, small groups, ukulele and jazz bands, theory club, and teaches courses on using computer music software and training sound technicians. She has presented workshops locally and internationally for groups including MEC, IRMT and ISME. She is currently chair of Music Education Canterbury, serves on the board of MENZA (Music Education New Zealand / Aotearoa) and is a MusicEdNet mentor. She also performs regularly in bands, playing sax, flute, clarinet, trombone and guitar.  #acce2018 ACCE 2018 Conference