He uses books, websites, and youTube videos to teach himself Pro Tools Software for recording, mixing, and mastering, and FL Studio to make the instrumentals, and reaches out to a broad audience by maximizing the tools of social media. In addition, he now sells his skill for $40/hour, charging people to use his technology skills and studio equipment.

Yet, it’s a shame this wealth of knowledge isn’t valued or financially supported in his educational system, and likely his grades reflect this. I recognized Izzy as one of my brightest students three years ago; if only schools celebrated and encouraged more creativity, if classes integrated art into their curricula, If STEM could be STEAM, Izzy’s propensity for self-expression through technology would be recognized and cultivated. I’m sure Izzy has a bright future, it’s a shame he has to spend so much time outside of school preparing for it.
[…] Kids teach themselves ICT (via Birdie Champ’s Blog) 01 May Oh how I love this! Not just because it is one of my favorite previous students, but because it is a stellar example of how direct interest in self-expression creates an indirect interest in learning the tools of technology for self-expression. My incredible musician friend Izzy is continually teaching himself information and communication technologies (ICT); kno … Read More […]