Top Five blog posts from 2021 - from Off the Beaten Path in Music
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Top Five Blog Posts From 2021

And with that, another year down! It’s amazing to think about all the different things that took place this year. While I’ll spare you reading about the good, the bad, and the ugly from 2021, I want to share the top five blog posts. This year I had two focuses: updating popular posts to be more relevant and creating new posts that I thought might be helpful to music teachers. It was actually quite fun, and based on page views, appreciated by readers.

Top Five Blog Posts From 2021

In reverse order, here are the top five blog posts from 2021. Enjoy!

#5: Three Tips to Organize Your Google Drive

This is the time of year when many of us notice holes in our digital organizational methods. What started with good intentions has turned into nothing short of a mess! While feels like no small task to tackle the problem, the longer we wait, the worse it gets. The good news is, there are a couple of quick things you can do within your Google Drive that will yield results right away and set you on the path to better digital organization. Continue reading…

Three Tips for Organizing Your Google Drive, from Off the Beaten Path in Music

#4: Five Ideas After a Concert

I updated this post in December, 2021. Several links were added to make the ideas even more actionable.

We’re seeing a lot of posts on social media asking about what to do after a concert, what to do during testing, and even, what to do when your students can’t to play because of the pandemic! So, whether any of these scenarios resonate with you, or if you are looking for something different to try, here are five ideas that will motivate learners, tap into creativity, and help you move towards a more learner-centered environment. Continue reading…

Five Ideas to Try After a Concert, from Off the Beaten Path in Music

#3: Seven Google Add-ons and Extensions

This post was updated in October, 2021. Seven add-ons and extensions isn’t enough anymore. Read on for my favorite nine!

One useful feature of Google Chrome is the ability to customize your browsing and creating experiences using add-ons and extensions. Add-ons go with specific G Suite applications to add new capabilities. Chrome extensions are small software programs that work with Google Chrome to enhance browsing. For music educators, there are several add-ons and extensions that are not only practical, but fun! Continue reading…

Nine Google Add-ons and Extensions for Music Teachers, from Off the Beaten Path in Music

#2: Getting Started With Google Jamboard

This post was also updated in October, 2021. Check out these Jamboard updates and some new ideas for how to use it in music classes.

Jamboard is one of the newer and lesser-known G Suite tools, but it’s one that I love and am excited to use this school year! Jamboard is a collaborative whiteboard that can be accessed by an app or web browser. The simplicity of the tool makes it great for education. Jamboard is a great way to have all students in your class share their voices. Continue reading…

Getting Started with Google Jamboard, from Off the Beaten Path in Music

The most-read blog post from 2021 was actually written in 2020! I questioned if it should count, not being written in the correct year, but I think this proves how valuable the information is. If you are not yet using Music Snippet (formerly Flat for Docs), what are you waiting for? It’s a great tool for both music teachers and music students.

#1: Music Snippet: Music Notation for Google Docs

While many people are familiar with Google Drive and the wonderful tools that accompany it, such as Docs, Slides, Sheets, and Forms, I found that fewer are familiar with the add-ons that can make these tools even more robust. My favorite add-on by far is Music Snippet (formerly Flat for Docs). Music Snippet allows you to insert musical notation directly into a Google Doc or Slide, without ever leaving the application! Gone are the days of opening Sibelius, creating a new file, inserting your notation, taking a screenshot, and copying that into your document. With Music Snippet, you never have to leave google! Continue reading…

Music Snippet

Thanks for continuing on this journey with me. I hope you enjoyed these top five blog posts from 2021. I’m excited about all the new things to come in 2022!

If you haven’t already, please be sure to subscribe below so you don’t miss anything. My goal for 2022 is to continue publishing new blog posts bi-weekly. Do you know someone who might enjoy this content? Please share it!

Also, my schedule for 2022 is filling up! Are you looking for professional development for your school or district music educators? Need a guest conductor for an ensemble? Check out my Services page for more information or contact me directly. I’d love to work with your teachers and students!

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