Teaching

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macLIFE

This is one of two courses I teach regularly at Toronto’s Harris Institute. It’s an “intro to Macs + more” course that’s specifically geared towards students who are planning careers in audio production and/or music business (management, promotion, publishing, etc.) We cover all the basics of owning and using Mac computers, including:

• Apple hardware, software and the Mac OS
• Basic troubleshooting
• Ports, connectors, and peripherals
• Storage and storage devices
• Researching and purchasing Mac systems (new and used)
• Apple key commands, Spotlight boolean searches, and dashboard widgets

We also cover:

• Basic online content management (using WordPress)
• Audio encoding and audio file compression formats
• File sharing and digital distribution
• Instant messaging and teleconferencing tools
• File Transfer Protocol (FTP)
• Creating, editing, annotating and encrypting PDF files
• Digital project management (setting project goals and milestones, scheduling tasks, and managing technological obstacles)
• Understanding common web app technologies (Java, JavaScript, DHTML, Flash, Ajax)
• Web applications and cloud computing

It’s a fast-paced, hands-on course. I try to make the class fun for both Mac newbies and experts (because no matter how much you think you know, there’s always more to learn!) The curriculum is constantly evolving and I strive to keep the material fresh. My primary goal is that all my students finish the course armed with the confidence they need to keep up with any technological change in the music industry.

Data Management

This is the second of two courses I teach at Harris Institute. In this course, I introduce data management tools and techniques in a music business context. The course explores both the technology of data management (software, database design, website administration, cloud computing, etc.), as well as practical approaches to managing information about people, assets, files, and/or projects in the music industry. We cover:

• Using spreadsheets (e.g. Microsoft Excel, OpenOffice.org, Google Docs Spreadsheets) to manage tabular data
  • The basics of storing data in tables: fields, records, cells
  • Identifying and managing different types of data: numeric, text, date/time, boolean, calculations
  • Using online data collection tools (e.g. Google Docs Forms, online survey tools) to save time and money
  • Importing and exporting data
• Using database management systems (e.g. FileMaker Pro)
  • Designing simple systems that meet your needs
  • Identifying and defining the relationships between your data
  • Building and using relational databases to manage complex information
  • Using databases to track business activities, solve problems, save time and make better decisions
  • Translating data into practical business intelligence
• Data management on the web
  • Understanding web server/client architecture, web standards (HTML, CSS, XML), client side scripting vs server side scripting (JavaScript, ASP, PHP), Structured Query Language (SQL)
  • Using website Content Management Systems (CMS) to create and manage effective low-cost websites: open-source vs proprietary systems, hosted vs non-hosted, assigning and controlling administrative/editorial privileges for website contributors
  • Understanding common web app technologies (e.g. Java, JavaScript, DHTML, Flash, Ajax)
  • Web applications and cloud computing; useful free and low-cost web apps for the music industry

Students taking this course should already be comfortable using computers and the internet, and have a solid understanding of the music industry. I encourage and expect all my students to modify and use the work they do in this class to support their own music-related projects.

Custom training

I love helping people learn about technology. I have a positive, fun teaching style with a heavy emphasis on “hands-on” explorative learning. My focus is on helping musicians, producers, audio engineers, and other music industry professionals master practical technologies that can help them further their careers. If you want custom training on any of the topics you see listed above, contact me.