Taking the Digital Plunge

2021 ◽  
pp. 98-106
Author(s):  
Joseph Janack
Keyword(s):  
Music Education ◽  
Teaching Style ◽  
Music Teacher ◽  
General Music ◽  
Music Learning ◽  
Technology In The Classroom ◽  
Job Roles ◽  
Music Classroom ◽  
Informal Music Learning ◽  
School Music

Meant to serve as a teachers’ guide, this chapter is a result of first-hand experience from a school music teacher whose philosophies, teaching style, and job roles have all evolved over time. Drawing on philosophies such as informal music learning and praxial music education, suggestions for different programs, apps, and websites, sample lesson plans and their implementation for optimal student music engagement are presented. The ideas provided can help support a fully digital lesson or unit with ways to combine these technologies with instruments in the general music classroom and with performance ensembles. Practical insights that will help teachers successfully incorporate technology into the music classroom are given. The results of successfully using technology in the classroom can be seen by increased student engagement and enjoyment while offering the teacher more ways to teach the curriculum.

Healing bruises: Identity tensions in a beginning teacher’s use of formal and informal music learning

2018 ◽  
Vol 42 (1) ◽  
pp. 3-18 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julie Derges Kastner
Keyword(s):  
Music Education ◽  
Informal Learning ◽  
Teacher Identity ◽  
Learning Processes ◽  
Music Teacher ◽  
Music Learning ◽  
Informal Music Learning ◽  
Formal And Informal Learning ◽  
School Music ◽  
Definition Of

The purpose of this narrative case study was to describe the developing teacher identity of Nicole Downing, a first-year teacher in the US, in her use of both formal and informal learning processes. As music education continues embracing approaches like informal music learning, it should also reflect on the voices of teachers in the field. Data collection included interviews, observations, and participant writings. Findings revealed that Nicole (a) questioned and eventually accepted her music teacher identity, (b) exhibited a dualism between her use of formal and informal music learning processes, and (c) broadened her community’s definition of school music. Nicole used the metaphor of a bruise to describe how she believed some in her undergraduate studies would judge her interest in popular music and creative musicianship, but as she became a music teacher she had agency to incorporate the informal learning she valued. Nicole exhibited a duality in her use of formal and informal learning processes, which were not integrated in her teaching. Ultimately, she developed a broadened definition of school music that she believed was beneficial for students but perceived negatively by other music teachers. Music teacher education should support teachers’ diverse identities and continue to explore the teaching strategies used in facilitating informal music learning experiences.

Democracy in the Middle School Music Classroom

2019 ◽  
Vol 105 (3) ◽  
pp. 17-22
Author(s):  
Amanda R. Draper
Keyword(s):  
Middle School ◽  
Music Teacher ◽  
General Music ◽  
Music Classroom ◽  
Music Program ◽  
Motivation For Learning ◽  
Traditional Public School ◽  
School Music ◽  
Democratic Principles ◽  
Student Independence

Including democratic principles in a traditional public school general music program can be challenging, but the benefits are significant, including greater student independence and motivation for learning. Democratic practice is both an approach to teaching and an outcome of the experience. It prepares students to be participants in society by providing space for student voices and encouraging students to think deeply and ask challenging questions. It also involves negotiating a rebalance of control in which the music teacher is more of a teacher-facilitator, learning alongside the students and allowing their choices and decisions to be a driving force in the learning process. This article presents one model for incorporating democratic ideals in middle school general music.

Informal Learning as a Catalyst for Social Justice in Music Education

2015 ◽  
pp. 301-317
Author(s):  
Lucy Green ◽  
Flavia Narita
Keyword(s):  
Social Justice ◽  
Critical Pedagogy ◽  
Music Education ◽  
Informal Learning ◽  
Critical Consciousness ◽  
Music Classroom ◽  
Informal Music Learning ◽  
Learning Practices ◽  
School Music ◽  
Teachers And Students

This chapter considers social justice in relation to the incorporation of a set of informal learning practices within the secondary school music classroom and teacher education. It interprets Nancy Fraser’s view of social justice as “parity of participation” in order to suggest that the dialogical approach of informal music learning practices can potentially promote such participatory parity. It then examines Paulo Freire’s concept of critical pedagogy, which emphasizes the need for teachers and students to participate together in the learning process so as to enhance critical consciousness. Through an application of Green’s theory of musical meaning, the authors suggest that critical consciousness in music can be aided through a deeper understanding of music’s sonic materials and their inter-relations. Informal learning in the music classroom may promote both parity of participation and critical consciousness, with the potential to lead to a liberating musical experience.

Constructing Informal Experiences in the Elementary General Music Classroom

2018 ◽  
Vol 104 (3) ◽  
pp. 46-53 ◽  
Author(s):  
Donna Hewitt
Keyword(s):  
Upper Elementary ◽  
General Music ◽  
Classroom Setting ◽  
Music Learning ◽  
Music Classroom ◽  
Informal Music Learning ◽  
Music Making ◽  
Learning Practices ◽  
Elementary General Music ◽  
Out Of School

Children often spontaneously yet purposefully sing songs or create rhythms outside the formal classroom setting to reflect the ways in which they naturally engage with music. Researchers have studied these informal music learning practices to incorporate these experiences into the classroom to offer lessons that are engaging and better reflective of children’s out-of-school musical worlds. This article offers strategies for teachers to incorporate these practices into an upper elementary general music classroom through combining elements of constructivism and the research of Lucy Green on informal music learning and popular musicians. Informal music learning offers another way of thinking about music learning and providing joyful and meaningful music-making experiences in the classroom.

Aspiring to Music Making as Leisure through the Musical Futures Classroom

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abigale D'Amore ◽  
Gareth Dylan Smith
Keyword(s):  
Young People ◽  
Secondary Schools ◽  
Leisure Activities ◽  
Music Learning ◽  
Pedagogical Approach ◽  
Music Classroom ◽  
Informal Music Learning ◽  
Music Making ◽  
School Music ◽  
Music Classrooms

The chapter discusses the centrality of music making to the lives of young people, framing teenagers’ out-of-school music making and attendant identity realization as leisure activities. It presents arguments for including in school music classrooms the music that students enjoy outside of school. It describes Musical Futures, an approach to informal music learning developed from understanding how popular musicians learn and adopting these practices for the music classroom. Citing examples of nationwide research on Musical Futures from secondary schools in England, the chapter balances benefits and challenges of adopting the approach, and considers implications of a focus in school on the process rather than the product of music making. The authors argue that framing and aspiring to music making as leisure through this particular pedagogical approach could stand to benefit students, teachers, schools, and society.

scholarly journals Integrating popular music and informal music learning practices: A multiple case study of secondary school music teachers enacting change in music education

2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (2) ◽  
pp. 298-310
Author(s):  
Martina Vasil
Keyword(s):  
Secondary School ◽  
Music Education ◽  
Popular Music ◽  
Music Teachers ◽  
Music Learning ◽  
Informal Music Learning ◽  
Learning Practices ◽  
School Music ◽  
Multiple Case

The purpose of this multiple case study was to examine the practices and perspectives of four music teachers who integrated popular music and informal music learning practices into their secondary school music programs in the United States. A primary goal was to understand music teachers’ process of enacting change. Data included 16 semi-structured interviews, eight school site visits and observations, documents, and a researcher journal. Findings revealed that teachers enacted change within micro-contexts—their classrooms. Teachers had an internal locus for change; they developed rationales for change and initiated curricular changes in response to a lack of student engagement, which seemed to stem from students feeling insecure in their musical abilities and disconnected from the content and pedagogy used in music classes. For the teachers in this study, the solution was integrating popular music and informal music learning practices. Thematic analysis revealed eight characteristics of effective teacher-initiated change in secondary music education: (1) holistic and gradual change processes, (2) teacher reflection and inquiry, (3) teacher autonomy, (4) enabling institutional factors, (5) use of a variety of supportive networks, (6) student-centered pedagogy, (7) teacher-selected professional development, and (8) a balance of structure and chaos and formal and informal learning.

Music Education in the Era of School Choice

2018 ◽  
Vol 105 (1) ◽  
pp. 39-45 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lisa Martin
Keyword(s):  
School Choice ◽  
Music Education ◽  
The United States ◽  
Music Educators ◽  
Music Teacher ◽  
Political Climate ◽  
Music Classroom ◽  
School Music ◽  
History Of ◽  
Teacher Workforce

School choice has become an increasingly available option for families in the United States. Given the current political climate, music educators must better understand the various dimensions of the school choice movement and how it may affect the music classroom. Following a brief history of school choice, this article offers a look at the movement’s influence on the music teacher workforce, music curricula, and funding for music education. Recommendations surrounding the equity of school music opportunities are explored.

Alternative Assessment for Music Students with Significant Disabilities

2019 ◽  
pp. 224-241
Author(s):  
Donald DeVito ◽  
Megan M. Sheridan ◽  
Jian-Jun Chen-Edmund ◽  
David Edmund ◽  
Steven Bingham
Keyword(s):  
Public School ◽  
Music Education ◽  
Students With Disabilities ◽  
Student Performance ◽  
Alternative Assessment ◽  
Performance Outcomes ◽  
General Music ◽  
Significant Disabilities ◽  
School Music ◽  
K 12

How is it possible to move beyond assessment for the purposes of evaluating teacher proficiency and student performance outcomes and instead to consider assessment for understanding student musical experiences and preferences for the purpose of promoting lifelong musical engagement? This chapter includes and examines three distinct music education approaches that have been taken at the K–12 Sidney Lanier Center School for students with varying exceptionalities in Gainesville, Florida. Megan Sheridan illustrates inclusion and assessment using the Kodály approach. David Edmund and Jian-Jun Chen-Edmund examine creative lessons developed for exceptional learners in a general music setting. Steven Bingham and Donald DeVito illustrate adaptive jazz inclusion and performance for public school and university students with disabilities. This collaborative development in qualitative music assessment has taken place through (1) developing methods of communicating recognition of student engagement and affective responses during inclusive engagement in public school music education settings, specifically in Kodaly-based music instruction, K–12 general music classes, and secondary jazz ensembles; (2) using students’ interest and engagement as a means of curriculum development and assessment in inclusive public school music settings; and (3) building collaborative relationships with parents and the community for post-school lifelong music learning.

Habits of Mind as a Framework for Assessment in Music Education

2019 ◽  
pp. 201-224
Author(s):  
Jillian Hogan ◽  
Ellen Winner
Keyword(s):  
Music Education ◽  
Arts Education ◽  
Habits Of Mind ◽  
Public High School ◽  
Student Agency ◽  
Thinking Dispositions ◽  
Music Classroom ◽  
Music Ensembles ◽  
School Music ◽  
High School Music

Music making requires many kinds of habits of mind—broad thinking dispositions potentially useful outside of the music room. Teaching for habits of mind is prevalent in both general and other areas of arts education. This chapter reports a preliminary analysis of the habits of mind that were systematically observed and thematically coded in twenty-four rehearsals of six public high school music ensembles: band, choir, and orchestra. Preliminary results reveal evidence of eight habits of mind being taught: engage and persist, evaluate, express, imagine, listen, notice, participate in community, and set goals and be prepared. However, two habits of mind that the researchers expected to find taught were not observed: appreciate ambiguity and use creativity. These two nonobserved habits are ones that arts advocates and theorists assume are central to arts education. The chapter discusses how authentic assessment of habits of mind in the music classroom may require novel methods, including the development of classroom environments that foster additional levels of student agency.

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