Movie Clips
Thoughtful Teaching
In this clip from School of Rock we see the teacher attempting to express the talents of his students through the instruments. We see him trying to uncover the students musical potential. Although the students may not be confident in playing the instruments he attempts to boost their confidence and not shut down ideas and suggestions. He does not make the students feel bad for giving their opinions and gives them the opportunity to express their thoughts. Which should already be a given in a classroom setting
Careless Teaching
In this movie clip from Bad Teacher the main character is grading the students paper is a very inconsiderate, condesending way. She is attempting to shut down the students ideas in attempt to make them feel lesser of themselves. This is the perfect of example of a careless teacher who is not passionate about teaching and simply cares about getting the work done fast and as easy as possible. She isnt giving the students the opportunity to express their opinions in a classroom setting instead she is belittling them.
Response to Repositioning ‘The Elements’: How Students Talk about Music Leslie Stewart Rose and June Countryman
Rose,L. S.,& Countryman,J , (2013) . Repositioning 'the elements': How students talk about music. Action, Criticism, and Theory for Music Education 12(3):45-64.
In this article presented by Leslie Stewart Rose and June Countryman the idea of the elements of music and how music impacts a child's life in a teaching environment. I think it is very important for students to express their thoughts through music and with the help of teachers, have the ability to express it through the elements. I especially think the importance of describing music in a non formal setting gave the students more freedom to express how they are feeling. I was surprised about the teachings of music and how much they wanted their students to stay away from the strict guidelines of music. In my highschool I was mainly taught to follow certain guidelines to expressing my music, but with this change in teaching style it gives more personal expression and character to the music.
Wanting to express how a piece makes you feel is easier with the elements of music as it suggests guidelines on certain things to listen for. I believe these elements can be compared to a personality of a piece of music and how different characteristics of a person can be made up by their personality. As a student I also create relationships with sound associating to certain things associated with my life. Such as loud rap music associating with a party setting all the way to classical music being performed at a school concert. “The ways our students engaged with the music through their bodies made explicit their understandings of the complexity and effectiveness of a “groove,”( Leslie Stewart Rose and June Countryman 2013,pg 55) The students in the article used the word “groove” to describe certain pieces meaning they associate each piece of music with a different kind of groove for example the “chill groove” or the “wicked groove”. This part of the article interested me the most as it relates most to my daily life. As a music student knowing the elements I wouldn't describe a piece of music to a non music student using words such as harmony and timbre. I would use words such as groove or beat as the students did in the article. This can relate back to the elements and the description of rhythm to the music they are hearing. I was somewhat frustrated with the aspect of giving music guidelines. Guidelines to personal expression takes out the unique characteristics that could be created without rules. Although the elements do help construct a basic outline for describing music they limit certain aspects of how it makes you or how it can affect you mood. There should be another element created called mood to describe how you are feeling while the piece is being played.
Formal Learning Learning the way that is praised such as strictly memorizing and less hands on work. Classroom based learning. I would bring this style of teaching into my classroom in a way that could cater to all students. Some students can not absorb information from formal learning as they need hand on work or visual learning to succeed. Although teachers need to follow certain guidelines and lesson plans there needed to a mixture of formal textbook learning and informal learning.Informal Learning is learning a way more comfortable and suited specifically for the student such as visual learning or from things picking up outside the classroom. Such as learning socially how to interact. Non formal learning is learning from the classroom, but from outside the norms of the classroom. More interactive work, less strict textbook learning. This type of learning can be incorporated through field trips and getting outside to classroom to see certain aspects working in the real world.
Article Response
This was a very interesting article as it covers whag studio teaching is and the technique behind it. I learned a lot about professionalism in the studio setting and the work it takes to become a studio teacher. I enjoyed how Torin reflected on how his experience with studio teaching is and how it impacts the singer for their whole career later on in voice. In my experience with studio teaching in the past I found it beneficial for the teacher to encourage instead of belittle when teaching a new piece or learning from mistakes. I enjoyed how Torin spoke about the emotions that partake in the process of becoming a successful performer and the stress that comes along with it. This is also important with learning to teach all ages of singers.
Singers learning at young ages have a different learning styles and ways of processing information opposed to young adults learning. This presentation helped me understand how I could take these tips and lessons and apply it into my future of either studio teaching or school teaching. Knowing how each student learns and taking that into consideration when teaching is important for not only the students themselves but also the teacher. When knowing how the student learns you can realize how long it would take for a piece to be learned, they’re understanding of the voice and what it takes to be a performer.
Uconn #2
Guest Speaker Reflection
Although I was unable to participate in this activity I was given the recording to help me understand what the day was all about. The speaker seemed to be very hands on in getting the students to participate in the dancing. She was also very passionate about what she does and was able to give background to swedish folk music and dancing. She wanted to make sure the students understand what they were listening to and the importance behind it. Giving them the opportunity to participate in the dancing to get the feel of the culture and the rhythm of the music. I believe if she didn't incorporate the students into her practice they wouldn't have gained as much respect for it as they would have if they simply listened to her speak for 3 hours. The interactive learning was an important aspect to the presentation and I wish I was there to participate.
What is the music educator's role when students engage with participatory culture?
I believe an informal teaching setting is the most important aspect of the classroom. It offers students opportunities to be opinionated and not focus on grading and other disciplinary actions. Having a classroom that is known for being welcoming and understanding to every child's needs is important on how they consume information.
What aspects of our programs are we willing to change in order to more closely reflect participatory culture in our classrooms and ensembles?
I believe music programs should heavily insist on teaching different genres of music to students in order for them to have full understanding of music. Also the inclusion of music from different cultures. Another important aspect that should be a part of the classroom is the aspect of informal learning and making sure students feel welcome and one with their peers and teacher. Something that should be removed is how teachers in a formal teaching setting hover over students in order to make sure they are working opposed to letting the students have their own ideas and beliefs
An Influential Teacher Interview Writeup
For my influential teacher interview I chose to speak with my high school performance class teacher Mr.Beckwith. I always admired Mr.Beckwith for his passion and inspiration he finds in music and how dedicated he is to his work. His teaching style is very nonformal and makes his classroom setting a safe place for us to express our musical abilities without judgement.
The first question I asked him was what got him into teaching? Teaching wasn't his first choice but has always had a broad interest in music ever since he was a kid but never thought of having a career. After getting out of school and one thing let to another and when he turned 40 and met Lee Willingham who conducts the community music program worked on a project together and make enough money to get by without knowing what he wanted to do until Lee suggested he go back to teachers college and dp his teaching degree. He has strong beliefs in that you can keep doing what you're doing and be a teacher as well. After taking his suggestions and going back to he had the best year of school he's ever had.
My next question was how had teaching music impacted your life. He learned so much from teaching and he's always reevaluating what he knows. The older you get the more connection with young people you get. Teaching has made him have to stay in touch with society and the times we are living into being a role model for the young people he is teaching and has hugely impacted his and his wives lives as they are both teachers. Very truly thought of how important teaching and learning and how an education can broaden the mind to have views on the world in a more prosperous way. How teaching takes ignorance away and be able to have more open views on society as a whole. Do you find yourself learning from your students? He says that teaching is a two way street in every aspect.
How has your experience as a student impacted you as a teacher? When you are a student you get models of teachers you may like or dislike. He has vivid memories of being a student in a classroom being very frustrated with the teacher. As a teacher he doesn't want to recreate those memories. Now that ive graduated he feels that he can express that some days he isn't in the right headspace to be teaching and getting through the school day. Remembering what it's like to sit on the other side of the classroom. Some teachers are somewhat in a position where they become a teacher for the attention and ego boosting opposed to wanting to teaching young people in an unselfish way. After asking these questions and getting his perspective on these certain scenarios I have grown a greater respect for him from when he was my teacher because his opinions are more genuine and we see each other more as acquaintances opposed to just a student and teacher.