I am not a musician, but I, like others, love the sound of music, or just hearing sound period when learning (and teaching). I especially love avoiding copyright infringement hassles if I am creating a video bearing information  I want students to remember.

I have discovered  that it is easy to make my own  music even though I cannot read music. Using a kalimba, an African instrument, and some bongos, both purchased at thrift stores, I’d welcome showing others how they can also make fun sounds and moreover, record them as a music file on  their iphone for later use on many fronts including teaching videos.

The end product can be a sort of “flip” approach to classroom instruction (i.e. the student can get basic information in the video, which is posted on a blog or via Blackboard, before entering the classroom. This allows more in-class time for other things including reviewing already shared information). The sound underneath the video, hopefully, makes the learning process more interesting. Sometimes the quirkier, the better.

I have two short videos demonstrating how this could work. One  I actually used with a class;  the other I shared outside of class with people who seemed to mostly dig it. I am still learning how to do this, but will share what I have done so far.

“Getting em up” at U.S.Naval Training Camp, Seattle, Washington. Webster & Stevens., ca. 1917 – ca. 1918 (Source: thatcamp.org)

Now that I have your attention…

Greetings THATCampers!

Now is the time to start thinking about what you’d like to do or discuss at THATCamp Alabama.

From now until our THATCamp begins on August 9, you should propose one or more session ideas by logging in to the site and posting your idea(s) as a blog post. Here’s how:

• Go to alabama2013.thatcamp.org/wp-login.php, and enter your username and password to log in.
• Select Posts > Add New.
• Tell us about your idea, select “Session Proposals” and any other appropriate categories, then click “Publish” on the right.

See Propose a Session for more information about making proposals- including example proposals from other THATCamps- and more explanation about why things work this way at THATCamp.

Once posted, the proposals will appear at alabama2013.thatcamp.org/category/session-proposals/. Please read and comment on the proposals, and use the “Favorite” button to indicate which sessions you’d like to see at our THATCamp.

We’ll be posting quite a bit of logistical information on this site in the coming days, so check back for updates about workshops, parking, food, wireless access, and more. We’ll also share updates on Twitter (@THATCampAL) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/thatcampal).

Write us at thatcampal@gmail.com with any questions. We look forward to seeing you in a couple of weeks!