PLN Resource Blog 13 (NPR Topics: Music)

NPR Topics: Music
URL: http://www.npr.org/music/

In the past, as I have searched my PLN resources, I have come across many excellent sites associated with the National Public Radio (NPR). I have utilized sites and programs, such as NPR Jazz Classics, and Classics for Kids. However, I have continued to discover more great sites associated with NPR and I have come to realize that there is an entire site devoted to music through NPR and it is called NPR Topics: Music (http://www.npr.org/music/). This site contains a wealth of fantastic information related to music. The site collates all the music sites and programs associated with NPR into one location making them easier to access. In addition, the site includes articles, recordings, podcasts, interviews, and more. Another outstanding feature of the website is that it includes information about all types of music ranging from classical, to jazz, to rock, to pop and hip, hop. This makes the site extremely versatile and useful to teachers and students. For example, when I went onto the site recently, I found an article about Rossini next to an article about a hip, hop artist.

With all the information and resources available on this website, it is an extremely valuable resource for music education. The website provides in-depth coverage of a wide variety of topics. In addition, it presents material in various formats, which more students will be able to relate to and associate with more easily. There is information in written text as well as quality recordings of musical pieces and information presented in informative podcasts that also are supplemented with quality musical examples. Teachers can find information to present to students so that the students may develop a better understanding of music topics. In addition, teachers can allow students to search the site to discover information on their own. In addition to the excellent information that students and teachers can gather from the site, the site can be motivating to students and encourage interest in music because of its variety. Since the website covers a broad spectrum of music topics, it is likely that students will be able to discover information on the site that they can relate to and enjoy. All in all, this is a fabulous resource with a vast amount of information related to music, making it a valuable tool to music education.