01. SaxTech
by Steve Stusek
I was struck by a statement one of our NASA Executive Officers made in his recent election platform: "Technology is all around us." While computers, cell phones, and iPods have changed the way we communicate, relax, and work, the software - programs that make these machines useful - can and is revolutionizing the way we teach and learn in the saxophone studio. This is the first in a series of articles on currently available - often free - software that can change the way you run your saxophone studio.
For this first article, I want to tell you how I use Google Docs. Google Docs is a suite of online software components that resembles a stripped down version of Microsoft Office. The major difference between MSWord and Google Docs is that in its native form, your Google Doc is saved on one of Google's on-line servers rather than on your computer. You may have heard this referred to as "cloud computing." In almost every other comparison, the two are very similar: if you are familiar with Word, you will be able to function in Google Docs. I won't go into Google Docs' attributes because it has too many to list here. You can find a very good starter guide at http://www.google.com/google-d-s/tour1.html. The important thing to know is that because your document is stored on a server, you can share it with and have it edited by other people.
Aside from a computer and an internet connection, you only need two things in order to share Google Docs: a Gmail account and another person with a Gmail account! I've had a Gmail account for years, and it is free for anyone who wants it; UNCG student email is provided by gmail, so my students also have accounts. I use Google Docs in my saxophone studio for two things: to track lesson assignments and for students to keep a journal or blog of their team scale work.
Back in the day, students kept notebooks for their saxophone lessons, and they would bring their notebooks to each lesson. Along with comments about pieces, fingerings, etc., I would offer assignments for upcoming lessons. I now do that in Google Docs. I open a Google Doc and name it after the student ("Joe Sax") and then click on a big button marked "Share." This brings me to a window where I begin to type in a student’s name. If I have the student’s email address already - and I do - their name pops immediately into this window. Click "Collaborate," and the document instantly appears in the student’s Google Docs folder as well as my own. Now, instead of writing in the notebook, I simply type notes in Google Doc while the student plays. I keep a list of all the scales they are working on (and tempos), their repertoire lists, upcoming recital dates, and lesson grades. I usually enter assignments, too. At this point, of course, I haven't done anything I couldn't do with a notebook. Once I hit "Save," all of that changes. I can add more comments after a student leaves. If there were unanswered questions, or I have thoughts later on (it could happen!), I can add those at any time. And the real beauty is that not only do students see these notes when they open their Google Docs, they can ask questions, make comments of their own, and ask for clarification. I'll see these changes the next time I open the document. Additionally, if a student does make an entry, their Doc will be at the top of my Google Doc Folder, so I will know instantly that they have been busy.
My students love this. They always have a computer with them, even in the practice room, so they can check assignments any time, and they can use the doc as a practice journal. They can't lose it or forget it, so it is always up to date. Because you can collaborate with any number of people, we have "Scale Blog" documents that are shared among groups of three students, my TA, and me. Any of us can make comments, and all students are required to make entries. It works flawlessly!
Finally, you are free to save your Google Doc on your desktop, in MSWord or just about any current format. In fact, I wrote this article as a Google Doc!