Approaches for effective and efficient design, development,
implementation and evaluation of new methods for teaching and learning.
Zig’s workshop was packed with knowledge with practical ideas that can be used immediately. MTGMEA
You know how you want to go to "that workshop" that will leave you stoked for the upcoming school year. Well, my friends, that workshop was today. Wish all my music friends could've been there too! Sets the tone for the whole year. This guy was a professional musician and educator named Zig Wajler and anytime you see him come through, go see him. He's inspiring! Amy S.
Zig's workshops provide valuable resources for teachers. Wilson Schools
STEM: Using Math, Technology & Music to Create a Cell Phone Ring Tone
The innovative contemporary program introduces participants to math concepts as related to music technology (computer, software, virtual instruments, USB controllers). Using a step-by-step process participants create, produce and deliver an original cell phone ring tone in a digital media format. The math component applies the concepts of numbers, adding, subtracting, multiplying, dividing, fractions, shapes, divisions of time, order, sequences, ratios, odds vs. evens, graphs, points of intersection, patterns, symmetry, measurements, time, estimating, and analyzing. Participants see, hear and input original parts as music by using virtual instruments and digital equipment while communicating using math and technology terminology. The music segment reinforces traditional music terms and concepts for composition including orchestration, rhythm, harmony, melody, pitch, notation, styles, dynamics and tempo. As an extension of the classroom, students will make a connection of how textbook math can be applied to their daily lives by what they musically hear, and know, as ring tones. All participants use Zig’s workstation, curriculum and external controllers. Content based on grade appropriate math skills
--->>>To listen to projects created by students click here: Listening Examples of student projects <<<---
Thanks Zig, your attitude and personal work ethic are exemplary! Maury Co. BOE
Zig’s Professional Development workshop was wonderful with great reviews!! KEDC
Technology Projects for Youth, Making a Connection
An Interactive session introducing do-able contemporary technology projects with focus connecting the arts across the curriculum and STEM. As an extension of the classroom, examples of what can be achieved will connect textbook subjects of Math, Reading, Language Arts, Science, and Technology with real-world applications and careers. The engaging projects will assist teachers develop ideas for engaging activities and student achievement. The workshop provides cross curricular connections of how textbook learning (what students learn in the classroom) can be applied to a student's daily life through the creation of various digital media projects (outside the classroom). The technology projects are what youth hear and see in everyday life such as; cell phone ring tones, radio/TV jingles, public service announcements, song creation, gaming and film music, among others. Participants will be taken through a very basic step-by-step process of how to recreate and produce the innovative technology based projects. A variety of student projects that include audio and visual examples will be presented as to what can be achieved.
Benefits and Connections (Academic, Social, Career)
 | Provide a connection to participants of how textbook learning can be applied to their daily lives through the creation of various digital media projects. |
| Enhance student/youth achievement by interconnecting core subjects with technology. |
| Promote critical thinking, communication, collaboration, productivity and cooperative learning. |
| Provide a new venue for participants to share ideas, learned information, and finished projects. |
| New awareness of opportunities for students/youth to become more active participants in and out of school by providing activities they can successfully accomplish. |
| Provide a new resource for teachers/directors to adapt unique and engaging strategies to meet the needs of individual student/youth differences. |
| Address 21st Learning skills |
| Present new concepts to assist with the development of engaging quality activities for youth which they can successfully accomplish with a clear goal in mind. |
| Present innovative approaches to help school-aged youth better develop social behavior and academic performance. |
| Provide an activity that promotes a youth's self confidence, self-esteem, and overall outlook towards school. |
| Present interactive activities that prevent youth from becoming bored. |
| Promote critical thinking, communication, collaboration, productivity and cooperative learning. |
| Provide a new venue for participants to share ideas, learned information, and finished projects. |
| Provide a new resource to adapt unique and engaging strategies to meet the needs of individual youth differences. |
| Enhance youth achievement by interconnecting school subjects with activities centered around technology. |
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--->>>To listen to projects created by students click here: Listening Examples of student projects <<<---
“Successful technology rich schools generate impressive results for students including; improved achievement, improved student attitude, enthusiasm and engagement, richer classroom content, and improved student retention.” The U.S. Dept. of Education
Multicultural Music workshops:
Latin 101 percussion workshop
An interactive ‘hands on’ workshop that provides everyone the opportunity to participate. Participants will be introduced to basic Latin rhythm patterns (tumbaos) through Zig’s ‘Say what you play’ teaching method which produces immediate results. The participants will learn proper technique, vocabulary, notation, and the history of Latin music by playing authentic Latin percussion instruments that include; congas, bongos, timbales, cowbells, claves, guiro, and maracas, among others. The participants will combine the rhythm patterns as a percussion rhythm ensemble along with rotating instrument so that everyone has a chance to play all the different Latin percussion instruments. Instruments are provided for the duration of the workshop.
African Drumming Rhythms with HipHop workshop
Participants will be introduced to basic rhythm patterns of Gahu from Ghana and compared to contemporary HipHop culture. Each African rhythm is introduced through a side-by-side comparison of how that rhythm is used in today’s HipHop culture. Zig teaches authentic rhythms through his ‘Say what you play’ teaching method in addition to music notation, and verbal patterns. The participants will learn proper technique, vocabulary, notation, and the history of African drumming by playing authentic African percussion instruments that include: atoke, axaste, gankogui, kidi, sogo, and kaganu, among others. The students will combine the rhythm patterns as a rhythm ensemble along with rotating instruments so that everyone has a chance to play all the different percussion instruments. Instruments are provided for the duration of the workshop.
General Music workshop:
Game Based Learning with Music workshop
Game-Based Learning is an engaging interactive experience which utilizes popular and contemporary gaming concepts with music. The workshop uses a contemporary learning approach similar to Rock-Band, and Guitar Hero using the “Easy, Medium, Hard, and Expert” levels of engagement. Participants will interact/play as small ensembles using electronic keyboards, mallet percussion and rhythm instruments. Each group will become members of a Game-Based small ensemble by reading, recognizing and matching shapes, colors, notes/rests.
Each lesson includes an “Easy, Medium, Hard, and/or Expert” level of difficulty by playing melodic and/or rhythmic phrases which will be accompanied by authentic traditional, contemporary, and multicultural song-styles based on grade specific cultural content. The program engages students as active participants by combining the learning modalities that include; auditory (listening, repetition, oral instruction, rhythmic sounds), visual (key ideas, demonstrations, recognizing shapes/colors, notation), and kinesthetic (active participation, problem solving).The workshop will assist teachers with new methodologies and easy to replicate lesson plans which reinforce grade specific content for music by analyzing, explaining, comparing similarities/differences, describing cultures, time periods, uses of the elements of music, and purpose of music.
For Additional Information
email: handsonwithzig@aol.com
