Wakelet in the Music Room

Welcome to the second in a series of short posts about technology tools I have been using recently! Last week I wrote about using Google Keep to organize conference resources. This week I’ll introduce you to my new favorite curation tools, Wakelet.

I first learned about Wakelet about a year ago. In its simplest form, Wakelet is a digital curation tool. Similar to Pinterest, users can save content in one easy-to-find location. I have found this tool to have so many incredible uses for teachers, and making it even better, Wakelet is completely free!

Using Wakelet

Once your account is set up, the first step is creating a new collection, also called a wake. You can give the collection a title and add both a cover image and background image, choosing from their library of images or uploading your own. From there, you just add content! In Wakelet, you can curate links, images, videos, PDFs, and more. You can even create text boxes with no outside content at all. There are three optional sharing settings, so collection can be public, private, or unlisted. Since most of my collections are school related, I usually keep them unlisted.

How can Music Teachers use Wakelet?

• Sub plans – create a Wakelet collection for sub plans, including links to videos, websites, and anything else needed for your lessons.
• Playlist – create a Wakelet collection to serve as a playlist. Students can work through the content at their own pace.
• Newsletter – use Wakelet to create periodic newsletters, including pictures, videos, articles, and links to share classroom happenings.
• Back-To-School Night – create a Wakelet collection of important information and links that parents will need. Add to the collection throughout the school year.
• Favorites – use Wakelet to collect your favorite or most used content – videos, websites, pdf’s, and more.

When giving conference presentations, I will often create a Wakelet to share resources with participants. The Wakelet collection acts as a living archive that I can add to when I find additional resources, or remove ones that are no longer valid. I can use the same collection each time I give the presentation. Here’s an example from my presentation on Creating in Music Class.

I recently helped a friend set up a digital portfolio for herself to take to job interviews! She could include her resume, links to articles she has written, social media content, PDF certificates, and videos of her musicianship.

Collaboration

Another great Wakelet feature is its collaborative capability. I can create a collection and share a contributor link so others can add to my collection! This would be great for groups of teachers sharing resources for a specific unit or topic. For example, middle school band directors could all contribute to a collection of their favorite grade three pieces, or resources for teaching music reading and naming notes. Students could even contribute to a Wakelet collection, adding links to pieces they suggest for an upcoming concert or resources they found on a new topic.

Other Great Wakelet Features

• An integration with Flipgrid allows users to record a video within the Wakelet platform.
• Using the Wakelet chrome extension, you can easily add links to any collection.
• Share collections via link, QR code, or within Twitter, Facebook, Google Classroom, Microsoft Teams, and more.

I created a document for teachers to get started with Wakelet and make their own collection of resources to share with parents. Sign-up below to get a copy of the instructions!

Interested in technology in music education? Be sure to check out some of these posts too!

• Flipgrid: Updates for Music Teachers
• Apps for Beginning Band and Orchestra
• Google Slides in Music