I recently watched Ashton Kucher's 2013 movie titled Jobs, depicting the early days of Apple Computers. It reminded me that I bought my first computer only 25 years ago - a Mac Classic. I thought it was amazing... It had a 40 megabyte hard drive, a 3-inch floppy disk drive, 256 kb RAM, word processor, Pyware notation software (this was before Finale came out) and a dot matrix printer. It even had a case (more like a suit case), allowing me to bring it back and forth between home and school. I thought I had died and gone to heaven. But, from today's perspective, it was the model A Ford of the computer age.

Moore's law states that overall computer processing power doubles every two years. This law has generally held true for the past forty years, as we have seen computers evolve from slow, clunky machines that fill a large room into ultra fast multi-media devices that fit inside a shirt pocket. Whereas tools once tended to operate in the same way for generation upon generation, many computer operated machines of today are now completely obsolete within ten years of their first use.

So what does this have to do with music education? Simply put, we live in an era of incredible change. Technology's rapid advancement has had an enormous effect on globalization, manufacturing, transportation, communication, entertainment, and every other aspect of life—including education. It has changed the ways in which we store and access information, communicate with others, and create music. It has even changed the way we think, listen, and speak.

At this time in history, when change occurs at a break-neck pace, it is more necessary than ever to be a lifelong learner. Lifelong learning, as described in UNESCO's Delors' Report (1996), encourages us to look at education from four key and inter-related perspectives: learning to learn, development of skills, learning to live together and work with others, and learning what it is to be human. Not only do we need to keep up with new technologies, but we need to learn how all of this change affects the ways in which our students think and learn. The ability to be a lifelong learner makes it easier to navigate transitions on the job, foster a problem solving mindset, communicate across cultures, think creatively, and enhance adaptability (Lifelong Learning Council, 2015).

Teachers must be innovative in order to engage and inspire 21st century learners. By developing creative teaching methods including collaborative learning environments, flipped classrooms, and student-centered learning situations, teachers will more effectively reach the new generation of students (Dhaliwal, M.K., 2015). In order to innovate and grow, we must continue to learn and recreate ourselves.

So, are you a lifelong learner? If not, how can you become one? This type of learning happens in formal, non-formal, and informal environments. Some choose to pursue a formal education when they go to school to pursue a degree. Others learn informally through experience, even when learning is not their goal. It occurs while they reflect on their teaching, while making their own music, and while surfing the internet looking for interesting articles and videos. For example, I find that TED talks like this one are great sources of informal learning.



Finally, all of us participate in non-formal learning, which is deliberate and organized like formal learning, but does not include forms of certification. Faculty professional development and summer workshops fit into this type of learning. As a KMEA member, we also have access to other forms of non-formal education. First, NAfME provides a host of journals and other resources aimed at teachers who are interested in honing their craft. This issue of the KMR is one of those resources. In this issue, articles offer opportunities to learn about a) singing in the band room to teach expression, b) teaching theory of pop music, c) developing a rock orchestra, d) improving your conductor's ear, and e) the development of a non-formal PD program with fellow music teachers.

Another opportunity for non-formal lifelong learning will happen at the end of February—the KMEA-In-Service Workshop! When you consider it, our ISW is an amazing event. How many other teachers in your school have a chance to attend an event like this that is focused on their subject with this many opportunities for learning? All four of the Delors learning perspectives will be addressed as you attend sessions, watch concerts, and simply walk through the halls greeting old friends and meeting new ones. You will learn to learn and develop new skills when you attend sessions focused on content that is new to you. Other sessions will give you new perspectives on working with others from various cultures. And finally, you will develop your aesthetic senses, once again tapping in to what it means to be human, as you watch and listen to the numerous performances of excellent ensembles.

The In-Service Workshop is truly the place where you will find music teachers engaged in lifelong learning. Are you a lifelong learner? If so, then I look forward to seeing you in Wichita in February! References