Have you heard of Makey Makey?
It's my new favourite toy and I am thrilled to have found a new way to tick off those "technology in the classroom" curriculum boxes! If you also need to show ways your music room is integrating technology and you're getting tired of the same few iPad apps, then consider taking a look at Makey Makey.
Makey Makey is a hands-on electronic activity that connects wires to any everyday object you like and programming it to respond in a certain way when activated. In the music room, this involves connecting and programming touch-sensitive pads to particular sounds or pitches.
Take a look at some of the ways it can be used in the video below:
I have loved programming primary chords and having three different blobs of play-doh for my students to accompany themselves for a simple sing-and-play (this is ideal for secondary or upper primary students who have enough theory and aural experience behind them to successfully do this).
You can also create a pentatonic scale for improvising or composition, or even lay out your touch pads in the correct spots on the stave! (the giant stave kits from Take Note are perfect for this!)
How might you use Makey Makey in your classroom?
Leave a comment below or drop us a line at jenny@kodalycrafts.com!