LINCOLN PUBLIC SCHOOLS PRESS RELEASE

Music teacher to present at international symposium

Lincoln East High School instrumental music teacher Lance Nielsen will head to Bremen, Germany, March 8-11, to share how technology is changing the field of music education.

He will present a session at the third Annual International Symposium on Assessment in Music Education.  This is the first time the symposium has been international.

“We’re going to be able to have some conversations with people not just across the United States, but around the world,” Nielsen said.

Nielsen’s research is based on his survey of music educators and how they use technology-based assessment tools.  The study looks at overall trends, such as who’s using the assessment tools and how, Nielsen explained.  Some examples are: visual recorders; online rubrics; online portfolios that allow students to collect and store work; music software programs; and performance-based assessment tools used by music teachers.

Nielsen and his electronic music theory students use several technology-based assessment tools in class.  The program Moodle allows students to arrange and write their own music and then upload it for feedback.  Moodle also allows students to develop a portfolio so they follow their creativity over the semester.  The East music department is also incorporating some of the tools with band, chorus and orchestra ensembles, Nielsen said

Nielsen has been teaching at East since 2001.  He took a sabbatical during the 2009-2010 school year to work on his doctorate in music, with a major in music education.

Contact Lance Nielsen at 436-1302 or ldniels@lps.org

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Published: October 28, 2010
Updated: October 28, 2010