Roger Taylor, statistics and calculus teacher at Charleston County School of the Arts, has a unique perspective on using technology to teach the 4C’s (Communication, Collaboration, Creativity, and Critical Thinking) and the highest levels of Bloom's Taxonomy.
Like many of us, Roger spent a few years in a completely different field before becoming a teacher. In his previous life, he was both an audio engineer and security specialist for a large company. When Roger joined the School of the Arts as a math teacher, he brought his passion and expertise with him.
Together with his students, Roger has built an audio engineering program where students use the technology that they have available to create, produce, and publish high quality original music on a limited budget. One of the driving ideas of his class is that he wants musicians to see that they can create professional music using their own knowledge, experience, and equipment without paying outrageous prices for professional studio time. This is extremely applicable to SOA students because many of them attend to develop their various art abilities. Roger saw a need to help students go beyond just learning the skills, by finding an avenue to help them create, collaborate, and share their talents with the world.
Today, when I visited the audio engineering class, I got to speak with several students and see some examples of his student’s final projects…. and I was amazed! For the final project, students were tasked to create a band, write and produce an original piece of music, and publish it via Youtube. (...remember Bieber fever?) Each little sound, no matter how small, had to be recorded and documented as evidence of originality and application of various audio engineering techniques that they had learned over the year. The Pecan Sandies, one of the bands in Roger's class, finished their project today and I have linked it below for you to check out! If you are interested in more information about the audio engineering program at SOA, subscribe to the Charleston County School of the Arts Audio Engineering Youtube Channel or send a message to Roger Taylor via the SOA/CCSD webpage.
"Take Me to School, I Don't Wanna Go to the Duck Pond 2015"
Disclaimer: I apologize to Mr. Taylor and to his students for my lack of expertise in audio engineering. I recognize the amazing things that you have accomplished this year and I regret that I do not have the vocabulary to elaborate on your professionalism and accomplishments in this area. I encourage you to continue to do amazing things and share it with the world!
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