Michael Medvinsky
- Grosse Pointe Woods, MI United States
- 248-613-0309
- mwmedvinsky@gmail.com
Creating a learning experience where experiential, collaborative learning encourages thinkers to look closely, think deeply and wonder incessantly. Creating a culture where thinking is valued, visible, and actively promoted as a part of the regular experience for all learners.
Currently working in education, with an engineering background, I advocate the importance of transparent technology integration, sharing ideas and connecting through social media, and global collaboration into a student centered learning environment. I consider myself a facilitator and designer of learning experiences. This is apparent in the problem-based approach to understanding in which learners express their understanding through various forms of tangible digital media.
My focuses are student engagement, best practices, and computer science. I’ve researched best-practice teaching methodologies and present across the state to school districts and educators on how to design engaging learning environments, reflect on teaching practices focused on cultural forces, and creating a conceptually connected curriculum that helps shape the future of our learners' identity as thinkers in their pursuit of life-long learning.
"If we teach today as we taught yesterday, we rob our children of tomorrow"
~John Dewey
21 Century Skills Innovation Library: Minecraft and STEAM (5 book series)
Science: Building a Roller Coaster in Minecraft
Technology: Using Tools and Building a City in Minecraft
Engineering: Moving Water in Minecraft
Arts: Sight and Sound in Minecraft
Math: Patterns and Numbers in Minecraft
(Cherry Lake Publishing, 2019).
Meaningful, Relevant Technology Integration within a Musician's Workshop.
The Oxford Handbook of Technology and Music Education Oxford University Press, 2017).
Author: Michael Medvinsky
Scaffolding Student Composers
Composing Our Future: Preparing Music Educators to Teach Composition (Kaschub & Smith, Eds., Oxford University Press, 2012).
Authors: Jackie Wiggins, Michael Medvinsky
Non-Traditional Ensembles Reach More Students
Michigan Music Educator (2010)
Author: Michael Medvinsky
There are many ways to engage learners in music within the K-12 curriculum. While the tried and true traditional ensembles like band, choir, and orchestra are offering our students rich musical experiences, non-traditional ensembles may offer a different perspective on how people learn music.
It’s a Two Way Street: Are You Listening?
Michigan Music Educator (2009)
Author: Michael Medvinsky
The learners in your classrooms are musical thinkers and thoughtful decision makers who enter with their own musical identities. We need to help them make connections with their previous experiences of thinking in sound while listening, performing, and creating in new experiences in our classrooms on their way toward musical independence. We need to listen to and validate learners’ choices of their own music and meet them halfway with our own music to form relationships of mutual respect and common understanding of music. It’s a two-way street.
Center for Innovative Teaching and Learning
Creating Cultures of Thinking
Brighton Schools (2016-2018)
Blissfield Public Schools (2017)
Grosse Pointe Public Schools (2017)
Most recent presentations available upon request
Keynote: Why I Teach
Future Teacher Conference
Oakland University School of Education and Human Services (2019)
Connecting Maker Mindset and Curriculum
Bring Making Into Your Classroom
Michigan Association of Computer Users in Learning (2018)
Grand Rapids, MI
Coding in the Primary
Designing your Classroom or School's Digital Footprint
Tech Talk at Mercy (2016)
Farmington Hills, MI
Words to Music
Half-day workshop
International Society for Technology in Education (2016)
Boulder, CO
Cultures of Thinking: Amplifying Learner Voice with Technology
Words to Music
Michigan Association of Computer Users in Learning (2016)
Grand Rapids, MI
Connecting to the Global Classroom
Creating a Personal Learning Network (PLN)
Giving Learners a Digital Voice
Emerging Technology in Education
Enhancing Instruction with Technology Summer Workshop (2015)
Oakland University, MI
Creating a Makerspace: Makey Makey and Scratch
Full-day workshop
International Society for Technology in Education (2015)
Philadelphia, PA
Project Based Learning and Making
Connected Educator Un/Conference (2015)
Jackson ISD, MI
Words to Music
Michigan Association of Computer Users in Learning (2015)
Detroit, MI
Connecting to the Global Classroom
Creating a Personal Learning Network (PLN)
Giving Learners a Digital Voice
Emerging Technology in Education
Enhancing Instruction with Technology Winter Workshop (2015)
Oakland University, MI
Designing Relevant Learning Experiences
Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development (2015)
New York, NY
"Can We Put It On iTunes?" - Designing Relevant Musical Experiences
Ohio Music Conference TI:ME (2015)
Cleveland, OH
Creating a Makerspace: Makey Makey and Scratch
International Society for Technology in Education (2014)
Atlanta, GA
Makerspace and MaKey MaKey
Michigan Music Conference (2014)
Grand Rapids, MI
MakerSpace and MaKey MaKey
Connecting to the Global Classroom
Bloomfield Hills Schools Professional Learning (2014)
Bloomfield Hills Schools, MI
Creating a Personal Learning Network
Oakland Intermediate School District (2014)
Waterford, MI
Connecting to the Global Classroom
Bloomfield Hills Schools Tweet-Up (2014)
Bloomfield Hills Schools, MI
10 Guiding Principles of Teaching and Learning
EdCamp OU (2014)
Oakland University, MI
Creating a Culture of Thinking
Augmented Reality in Education
Pennsylvania Music Educators Association (2013)
Harrisburg, PA
Music and the Common Core
MaKey MaKey
Rock Our World - Global Collaborative Projects
Arts First! (2013)
Oakland Intermediate School District
Waterford, MI
Connecting to a Global Classroom
Brandon Schools Professional Learning (2013)
Brandon Schools, MI
Creating a Culture of Thinking
Brighton Public School (2013)
Brighton, MI
(with Nancy Taylor, retired art teacher-Lake Orion, Jackie Wiggins and Bob Wiggins - Oakland University)
Connecting Arts Education and the Common Core State Standards
Oakland Intermediate School District (2013)
Waterford, MI
(with S. Alex Ruthmann - NYU Steinhardt)
Connecting Assessment in Music to the Common Core
EdCamp Detroit (2013)
Wayne State University, MI
Augmented Reality in Music Education
Connecting to the Global Classroom
Teaching for Musical Understanding Workshops (2012)
Oakland University, MI
Teacher Assessment and Individual Student Growth
Oakland Intermediate School District (2012)
Waterford, MI
Utilizing Your Interactive White Board in the General Music Classroom
Brighton Public School (2012)
Brighton, MI
(with Spiros Xydas - Troy School District)
Curriculum - Providing Opportunities that Foster Musical Understanding: Designing and Implementing Creative Experiences within Music Classes
Michigan Music Conference (2012)
Grand Rapids, MI
Musical Understanding through Recording
Sampling Using GarageBand: Workshop
New Directions Conference (2011)
E. Lansing, MI
A New Vision of Secondary General Music
Oakland County Public Schools Best Practices Conference (2011)
Rochester, MI
Conceptual Connections through the Arts
Michigan Music Conference (2011)
Grand Rapids, MI
The Classroom as a Recording Studio
A New Vision for MS and HS General Music
Popular Music in Secondary General Music #1
Popular Music in Secondary General Music #2
Teaching for Musical Understanding Workshops (2010)
Oakland University, Rochester, MI
Informance vs. Performance – A Student Centered Approach to Planning Your Concert
Arst First! (2010)
Oakland Intermediate School District
Waterford, MI
K-12 Songwriting with an Integrated Curriculum
Professional Learning Conference (2009)
East Grand Rapids Public Schools, MI
Recording in Your Classroom to Foster Musical Thinking
Michigan Music Conference (2009)
Grand Rapids, MI
Make Meaningful Connections with Your Students Through the Use of Technology
MEAP GLCEs in the Music Room…Yeah Right!
Teaching for Musical Understanding Workshops (2009)
Oakland University, Rochester, MI
12 Bar Blues and Improvisation
Early Careers Conference/ CMENC Conference (2009)
Oakland Intermediate School District
Waterford, MI
MEAP GLCEs in the Music Room…Yeah Right!
Arst First! (2008)
Oakland Intermediate School District
Waterford, MI
Constructivism in Music Education
CMENC Conference (2008)
Michigan State University, E. Lansing, MI