TED: Ideas Worth Spreading

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This is one of the most insightful sites I have come across.  Initially centered around Technology, Entertainment, and Design, the scope has broadened to include many of the sciences, music, art, and education.  I have seen many inspirational and innovative speakers thanks to the free online videos that TED.com archives of past speakers at the international TED conferences. Beware: if you visit the website, you may spend countless hours being intellectual stimulated and intrigued by all that these amazing people have to offer the world.

The Art of Possibility: Transforming Professional and Personal Life

"In the face of difficulty, we can despair, get angry ... or choose possibility."

Benjamin Zander's experiences as conductor of the Boston Philharmonic and Rosamund Stone Zander's work as a family therapist combine to create an absolutely uplifting book focusing on the notion of possibility in our everyday lives.  Filled with personal anecdotes and humorous stories, this book continues to be one of my favorites.

Paperback: 224 pages
Publisher: Penguin (Non-Classics) (September 24, 2002)
ISBN-10: 0142001104
ISBN-13: 978-0142001103

Intelligent Music Teaching

Robert Duke's clear and concise writing describes the processes by which successful teachers teach- including his thoughts on assessment, sequencing instruction, feedback, and transfer. Professor Duke's straight-forward writing coupled with scientific research regarding human learning stimulated my own thoughts regarding the processes by which we teach and more importantly, how we learn. This is a must read for all educators- while the content is often music-specific, it has powerful implications for all human learning.

Paperback: 176 pages
Publisher: Learning and Behavior Resources (March 1, 2005)
ISBN-10: 0977113906
ISBN-13: 978-0977113903

Tools for Powerful Student Evaluation

Susan R. Farrell discusses authentic assessment in music education and provides numerous resources for assessment and evaluation.  This is an excellent resource for help in creating rubrics and other means of student assessment.

Paperback: 110 pages
Publisher: Meredith Music (March 1, 2000)
ISBN-10: 0969898207
ISBN-13: 978-0969898207