Introduction:
 
 

Electronic instruments have changed music dramatically in the past thirty years. Electronic Keyboards and synthesizers have become the industry standard for composing and performing electronic music, along with computer technology. One of the best ways to learn about a new topic is to teach it to someone else! In a few weeks from now, you are going to teach our class one aspect about Electronic Keyboards and Synthesizers, and you're going to do an amazingly good job of it!

Task:

Your task is to investigate the background and history of electronic keyboards and synthesizers in order to present information you learned to the class. You and your partner will choose one research question from the list below and compile the most important concepts and facts that are important to know about your topic. You will need to include activities or examples which target three modes of learning- VISUAL, AUDITORY, and KINESTHETIC. Read more about the Modes of Learning before you start.

In this research you will need to keep in mind the following focus questions:

• What is the history of electronic keyboards and synthesizers?
• What is the difference between acoustic and synthesized sound?
• How does a synthesizer work?
• What are the differences between a synthesizer and a digital piano?
• What role does the electronic keyboard/synthesizer play in modern music? Is it essential for music making in the future?
• How can keyboards be used with computers to create music?

TOP

The Process:

This is a three step process.  Your teacher  will act as a guide and give you specific daily instructions.  As you work each day you will focus on one of the following steps:

• Research & Work Time click here for more information
• Lesson Practice  click here for more information
• Presentation  click here for more information

• Make a glossary of unfamiliar words you encounter
• Make a game of learning unfamiliar words
• Come up with a metaphor that relates the new information to something they might be familiar with
• Figure out how to make ideas more concrete by drawing them or illustrating them with models
• Think about ways to make content more interesting by having students take on roles and act something out
  
  

4.Turn in your Planning sheet for Approval from your teacher before proceding with producing your lesson plan. .

In this WebQuest students will explore the wide category of electronic Keyboards and synthesizers.  Students will focus specifically on the differences between acoustic and synthesized sound, differences between  Students will work in groups of two-three and need to have access to computers for research from time to time.  Good luck and have fun.

TOP

Content Area and Grade Level:

 

This unit was specifically designed to be used with 5th or 6th grade students.  This unit was created to be team taught by a team of teachers teaching Music and Technology.  This lesson can easily be adapted to span grades 6 + by varying expectations and evaluation.

 
 

TOP

 

Denver Public Schools Arts Standards Addressed:

click for complete standards in Adobe Acrobat PDF format

Standard 1: Students will sing or play a variety of repertoire alone or with others.

5th grade Benchmark #1: Students will demonstrate basic knowledge of keyboards to include a variety of timbre and sound wave definitions.

Standard 4: Students will analyze, evaluate and describe music.

5th grade Benchmark #1: Students will distinguish between synthesized and acoustic sound.

Standard 5: Students will relate music to History and Culture.

5th grade Benchmark #3: Students will recognize the impact of music throughout the workd.

DPS Technology and Information Literacy Proficiencies adressed:

click here for complete listing of Technology and Informaiton Literacy Proficiencies

• understand and use web URLs to locate information

•practice appropriate use of copyrighted materials – both print and electronic

•be able to divide research information into appropriate paragraph structure

• use tools of the text (e.g. table of contents, chapter titles, charts, diagrams, maps, tables index headings and sub-headings) to locate and select relevant information

• take notes using two-column format

• select a topic to research, create a research question, plan research steps, skim and scan for info from at least 2 sources

• arrange information in a meaningful format (i.e. story, graphic or PowerPoint)

• report to others

•begin to evaluate the accuracy, relevance, appropriateness and bias of information sources

•present information in an organized format of choice (i.e. paper, graph, chart, picture, multimedia presentation)

• orally present information to a group

•create a multimedia presentation (using PowerPoint or other appropriate software), that contains a minimum of 5 slides including text, transitions, graphics imported from other electronic sources

 

TOP

We all benefit by being generous with our work. Permission is hereby granted for other educators to copy this WebQuest, update or otherwise modify it, and post it elsewhere provided that the original author's name is retained along with a link back to the original URL of this WebQuest. On the line after the original author's name, you may add Modified by (your name) on (date). If you do modify it, please let me know and provide the new URL.

Last updated Tues, 22 Mar 2005 11:49:28 GMT. Based on a template from The WebQuest Page