Influential Technology

I would say the most influential technology in the video for my content area was the radio they showed being used to broadcast music education programs. Many people believe that musical talent or appreciation is something that someone either has or does not have. I think that is completely false, I believe that musical talent and especially music appreciation is something that everyone has the ability to have, but must be exposed to the right atmosphere of it. I picked the radio because using it in classrooms helped improve the musicality of those who may not have had access to things like learning an instrument, studying privately, or going to performances. The radio, in a sense, provided some of the atmosphere needed to become a better musician, or to have a greater appreciation of music…or both!
            I believe the one technology that has had the most impact on schooling in my content area is the phonograph. This device was the first practical device used to record and playback sound and was most often used for music recording and playing. The phonograph, invented in 1877, gave a new meaning to listening to music. It was no longer required to be at a live performance to experience the music. Although phonographs were used in schools for subjects other than music, I believe it’s impacted music education the most since it made music accessible anywhere that had electricity. It was used in many music classes as a music appreciation tool or an instructional tool. Another reason I believe the phonograph is significant is because it is the father technology to most of the music recording/playing technologies we know today such as the radio, CD, MP3 players, etc. These devices are used endlessly in music education because it brings a world of music to our fingertips. Whether it’s listening to a composition a class is learning so they can experience a finished result, listening to examples of music theory in use, recording one’s self or a class to improve their performance, or exploring musics from other parts of the world, music educators rely on these devices. Without them, music would not be an easy thing to access and much of it would sadly be confined to its origin. With the invention of the phonograph, the concept of music changed and was brought home to countless amounts of people and schools that may have otherwise never been able to experience it.