the future of libraries in the digital age
As often as I can, I listen to music from around the world. I customarily have music playing when the students walk into the library.
One morning while teaching Summer School this season, to out going 6th graders, I was listening to music from Bollywood films, and of course the lyrics are in Hindi, but the music was "fantastic."
So...
Student 3 says: "What song is that?"
Teacher: The song is called "Haule Haule."
Student 3: Well do you know what he's saying?
Teacher: No, I don't know what he is saying.
Student 3: Well how can you listen to the music if you don't know what they are saying?
Teacher: Good question... I suppose that sometimes you can like the music even if you don't know what they're saying or at least it shouldn't stop you from listening to it. Sometimes you kinda know what's going on from the way it's presented. In this case, I don't know what he is saying but I know that he must be singing about something he loves, and if I really wanted to know what he was saying I could go online and try to find the lyrics and use the Google translator.
Student 3: Wow, that's cool.
Teacher: Yes the Google translator is cool.
Student 3: No, I mean I never knew that you could listen to music that you didn't understand. Can we listen to some more of this stuff that we don't understand?
Teacher: Sure... (in my head... "Unbelievable, ladies and gentlemen... the field goal is goooood! The students never saw the cultural awareness comin at'em"). The crowd is going wild as the students are groovin to another song that they don't understand the words to, while doing their independent reading).
So... the digital tools that I use intentionally by accident as much as I can... my work laptop, Pandora.com, and speakers. Every now and then I use my personal music playing device.
Comment
Comment by Janise Wriddle on July 16, 2012 at 10:22am A note of caution...I try to make sure that if the music has lyrics that the are not explicit lyrics. I also check with colleagues who may speak the language and ask them if they will take a listen and let me know if if appropriate for children to hear.
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