BP13_20091003_Web2.0Tool_MeCanto

(MeCanto, 2009)

MeCanto

When transferring files to and from computer hard drives or Mp3 players and burning and ripping CDs becomes too burdensome, MeCanto provides an alternate way for accessing your personal audio files. MeCanto is a web tool through which users can upload all of their music files and access them from any computer through the Internet (MeCanto, 2009). This tool helps to relieve the repetitiveness and hassle of managing other music management tools that load music files directly onto a hard drive such as iTunes or Windows Media Player.

Sometimes there are tools that are helpful to education simply because they make it easier for teachers to be teachers. While I have not yet been able to come up with specific lessons or activities that might include student use of MeCanto, I believe that it has the ability to be very helpful to teachers and their instruction. Because MeCanto eliminates the need for Mp3 or CD players, the reduced need for that extra equipment makes the integration of music and other sound files into the classroom more practical for teachers. If, for example, a teacher would like to share their music collection with students for education purposes, they can do so through the Internet with MeCanto. Also, because MeCanto is a completely legal and can remain an appropriate site, because it is the user that controls the content, it is possible for school administrations to remove any blocks to the site.

For me, MeCanto is a very promising tool because it could help me in my current situation. Since I teach several courses in different content areas, I have to, unfortunately, switch from classroom to classroom to teach each of my courses. Whenever I want to play songs for French class or background vocals for Musical Theater, for example, I must carry my CD player from room to room or remember to bring my personal Mp3 player from home. With MeCanto, I can upload my entire music collection as well as all of the sound files for my courses and access them through the computers that are already in place in each classroom. If nothing else, this could be motivation to integrate more songs into my lesson plans for cultural studies or just a way to bring something new to my students.

References

MeCanto. (2009). Frequently asked questions. Retrieved from http://mecanto.com/faq