I know it's been mentioned before, but does anyone else here use Music Teacher's Helper, and what have been your experiences of it? I'm still in a 30-day trial period, having tried it once before and decided it wasn't for me, and I'm finding it a bit getter this time round, though I'm still learning to tweak it to fit the way I prefer to work.

For instance, I don't normally write in a pupil notebook in the lesson: I prefer to take time to think about the best advice, and then send it a day or so later, rather than just list pieces and scales which is probably all I'd have tome to scribble illegibly right at the end of the lesson while the next pupil is sitting waiting impatiently (yes, I know, I know...) The best way I could find to do this with MTH is to use a word file for each pupil and upload it into the file area, updating it each week by adding the new notes above the old; then I can specify it can be seen by just that one pupil. At the moment, though, I can't give it a direct link, which is what I've been doing for the pages on my own website. I thin I shall have to go back to linking them to those pages, which seems a pity as there are other features in MTH which could help them, and it would be nice to get it all uinder the one "umbrella".

Still working on this one.

I'm not familiar with the program you mention, but the idea of writing extensive notes for pupils is good in theory and I have great respect for teachers who do this.

I do from time to time write down what pupils need to do for "homework", however I am slowly returning to the good old fashioned method of expecting the pupils to remember what I've told them; the reasoning behind this is that writing everything down encourages lazyness, discourages them from taking note or paying close attention to what I say, discourages them from thinking for themselves. When learning, the effort required to think back to a lesson and what a teacher said during the lesson promotes a greater understanding than a passive look at some notes or a checklist.

I use MTH and it's super.

The way I write the lesson notes is when you reconcile each lesson in the calendar (i.e. you say who's been, what they paid etc.) you are given the option to type in lesson/practice notes which are then e-mailed to the pupil/parent and also private notes which only you can read. You can view all these by going to the Lesson History option in the top menu. That way, pupils/parents get them by e-mail, or they can login to their account to view them, plus as a teacher, you can opt to receive a daily e-mail which sets out your timetable for the day and also includes the notes you made at the previous lesson.

Like you, I much prefer to sit down at the end of the day/session and type up my notes. It means I can also provide links to useful websites, or links to books, and I can also refer them to worksheets etc. I have already uploaded to the File Area.

Yes, and I like their example for this - pupil's note "That lesson was GREAT!!" Private note: "Only kidding, it was awful" I did consider doing it this way: I cold then put my suggestions to myself for the next lesson in the private half, and I think I may put the barest summary of the lesson into the notes that they read from the calendar, but they're a bit small, I prefer something bold and colourful with links. I'm also gathering together links for online music games to learn notes, and will try to find a way to put them there too. I have videos of myself playing most of their pieces, and thay're on my own website, but a simple link takes them straight to it.

I found they tended not to read it if it was in an email: some people's email is not conducive to that kind of detailed reading.

I've been using MTH for almost 2 years now and probably don't use it to its full potential but for what I need, it's invaluable. I did try using the lesson notes facility when you reconcile lessons, but seeing as I'm fairly averse to typing the stuff in, i gave up with that. I use my trusty, low tech notebook. In fact I've given up reconciling lessons as I just find I don't make the time - a tick on my printed-out calendar works fine for me!

The functions I find very useful are the calendar, having all my pupils details together, the system emails and most importantly the invoicing. All of these I managed before MTH, but I'm really fairly rubbish at updating things or getting my head around organising it in excel or some other software. The fact that MTH has a system in place and one that's easy to use gives me half a chance to get things right and keep things running smoothly! Remembering to actually input my expenses would help when it comes to sorting out accounts - the functions are great it's the operator (me!) that ends to forget or do something wrong

I like the website option - again that's saved me time and too many design decisions and challenges! I like being able to upload my files as well as photos, links etc My website really functions as a newsletter and place to store files/resources for existing pupils.

Hope this helps!

I've just spent the evening signing up for a trial run and entering all my pupils' details. I like the function where I can record all my travel and expenses etc - can see that being very useful when tax return comes round. Initially planning to use it just for calendar function, and have already had positive feedback from one parent. Good that parents will be able to check up on whether kids have attended lessons in school too. I'm not intending to let it take over ordinary communication, but I think it will be useful for parents to check up on things without having to contact me.

Linda, out of interest - do most of your pupils read and use the links/resources you send them? I ask because although I don't regularly type up/email notes, I do often follow up something in the lesson with a quick email with links or I spend time putting files etc on my site for general use. When pupils are asked I very often find a guilty look cross over their faces as they have to admit they didn't follow it up! I have begun to wonder whether the effort spent outside the lessons on this aspect is really worth it. Not the providing of resources or searching them out, but simply relying on the pupils/parents to have the time to use them. I now make time in the lesson to show resources, how they can be found and list them on my site. It would be great if MTH could count the amount of hits I get on my webpage, just to find out exactly how many exam pupils/parents took the time to read through the articles and links I specifically put there to prepare them fully for their exams!

I've been using MTH for a little while now, and for the behind the scenes work (invoicing, sending email reminders, calendar arrangements etc etc) it's a great tool. Some of my older students who are not computer savvy haven't really taken to it, despite showing them how to log in themselves and going through the process. But the majority of students think its a great idea.

I love being able to take time after lessons are done to type up notes and suggest resources and YouTube vids to watch, and I think it can be used to promote good practise etiquette. Allowing the student to fill in their own practise journal, and times practised.

What are people's thoughts on their pricing? I'm on the basic at the moment (up to 20 students) and after currency conversion, I dont think it's that bad.

Argh, been using this for a couple of weeks and no problems, until tonight. Suddenly it won't let me add any new events - I keep getting a 'please check at least one day of the week' error message when I've finished putting in all the details.

Is there a glitch on the site, or have I missed something?

Thanks...

Yes, it's a glitch on the site as I'm having the same problem. They tend to fix these bugs pretty quickly

Hi all - I am fascinated with the concept of MTH and am thinking of implementing it in my teaching practice. A teacher told me I may not have enough pupils to make it worth my while - I have currently around 20 pupils, would you recommend this a a feasible number of pupils to justify the need to have a Music Teachers' Helper to help me organise my records/invoicing/rescheduling/payment reminders/exam closing dates etc?

There seems to be so much emailing and rescheduling going on and it's the rescheduling that is taking up as much time as the actual teaching, some days.

Would MTH help drastically with the reschueduling by letting the pupils pick their own time online without me having to go back and forth via email having to use correct grammar in my emails which is time consuming, all I want to do is get straight the the point but some parents take offence if I keep my sentences short and to the point!

Would MTH just let them pick their own times with out me having to contact them back and forth via email and then wait to see if my available timeslots fit in with their child's timetable (and it doesn't always)!

Thanks

I have 26 pupils (though I'm only using MTH for 20 of them to avoid paying more at the moment ) and that costs me between ?8-?9 a month. I think for the admin time it saves, it's worth the cost. If nothing else, it's saved a good deal of printer ink and paper now invoices are e-mailed!

I think it is possible to set up 'bookable' slots on the calendar so that students can book in to free times without referring to you again.