Technology is enhancing every aspect of children’s education these days, even the way they learn music.
Just ask Oxford resident Dr. Deborah Blair.
Blair, an associate professor of music education at Oakland University, recently published the second installment of her ‘Songs for You and Me? iBook series for children.
Available for download through Apple’s iTunes, the second book consists of three songs ? ‘I Bought Me a Cat? (American), ‘Kaeru No Uta? (Japanese) and ‘Cheki Morena? (Puerto Rican).
‘They’re all wonderful, engaging folk songs from around the world,? Blair said. ‘The songs are public domain. They’re commonly found in curriculum books for music teachers.?
The book costs $7.99.
‘I tried very hard to keep it affordable,? she said.
Each song is accompanied by a video featuring colorful illustrations and a musical map that allows children to follow the lyrics as the songs are sung. Videos of the songs being played by Blair on various instruments are also included in the books.
Although the iBooks ‘are appropriate for all children,? according to Blair, ‘they’re especially wonderful? for students with cognitive disabilities such as autism and developmental delay. These children typically have an easier time learning things when there is a visual component to the lesson.
Blair said the iBook’s ‘mobile format? gives special needs children the time and freedom to ‘learn and love? the songs anywhere, so when they come to music class at school, they’ll be ‘more competent and confident? singing them and feel more socially included.
The iBook series is designed to be used both at home and in the classroom.
All of the feedback Blair’s received regarding the series has been ‘extremely positive.?
The books were developed through and funded by OU’s Ideas 2 Business (i2B) Lab, a program that assists students and faculty members in launching new business ventures.
‘Oakland has provided me with (paid) student employees to work on this,? Blair said.
An art student (now graduate) provided all the illustrations for the books. Music students sang the songs a cappella.
Marketing and business students developed plans to promote and sell it. A student from Cooley Law School assisted with all the legal aspects of the project, from public domain issues to the contract with Apple.
The first installment of ‘Songs for You and Me,? released earlier this year, is ‘doing well,? according to Blair. It includes the songs ‘All the Pretty Horses,? ‘Great Big Stars? and ‘Shalom.?
The third installment will be released by the end of the year.
‘Probably mid-fall,? Blair said.
Creating the books is a ‘rather labor intensive? affair.
‘They take time,? she said. ‘It’s easily a month a song.?
To learn more, please visit the ‘Songs for You and Me? page on Facebook.