Other than several skill-building apps and educational games, the first app I bought for extensive use in the classroom is GarageBand.
I have often envied guitar playing teachers that can strum their instrument in their lap while singing the morning weather song or happy birthday, or even gather the students with a single chord. I do play piano, but sitting behind an old upright while expecting the three-year-olds to sing along and follow the beat may be a bit much.
Enter GarageBand.
With the provided instruments and tools, I can:
- Record favorite books or nursery rhymes for students to provide an independent reading opportunity.
- Record favorite songs and create soundtracks for procedures, center activities and sing alongs.
- Record audio tracks for favorite songs and allow students to record their own attempts at lyrics.
- Create audio versions of social stories for students that need a little comfort during procedures or periodic reminders of how to interact with peers or complete an activity.
Once I create my songs with GarageBand, I can send them to iTunes, edit them further in GarageBand on my personal or school machine, or even email them directly to parents.
For a closer look at my GarageBand creations, download the PDF.