One of the concepts we studied was the idea of the Flipped Classroom. The basic idea of that is that instead of assigning repetitive problems (math for instance) for homework, instead the students view teacher created tutorials on how to do a new concept. The next day in class, the students work through problems together. This allows for more student-teacher interaction time and support.
In our readings there was a great quote:
"You can't practice understanding ... practice does not create proficiency."
That started me thinking about the way I teach my lessons and how I expect beginning 4th grade instrumentalists to go home and practice. What does practicing do for them? The struggling students practice, but they do not get better. Why? The reason is that they don’t understand what they are practicing; they do not know that they are playing an example wrong, and then they do not know how to fix it. How can I the teacher solve this problem and help my students become better musicians. How can telling a student to play an example 5 times at home, ensure that they are learning? Maybe I should be telling my students to explore at home and go over the new concepts and skills?
How can we use new ideologies of education and technology to solve this problem?
Here are some ideas that I have been jotting down (mainly as I am involved in this one course) and my goal is to put together a more comprehensive program by the end of the summer to implement.
Feel free to comment, critique, offer suggestions, wants to collaborate, etc!
*Have advanced students create short tutorial videos about how to put together instruments, correct embouchure, how to play notes, read rhythms, etc. Then there would be a tutorial library of basic questions that students might have at home, being taught by their peers (in a language/terms kids would understand.)
*Create screencasts to aid in note reading and basic practicing skills.
*Scrap the lesson book for practice in the beginning. Create an online practice website (free) with accompaniments that review note reading, rhythm reading/playing. Encourage rote playing as well as note reading, tonguing, and correct note duration. The lesson book should only be used in class.
*Home practice should be fun and focused on skill building, not just playing random method book songs.
*Encourage composition and free play as part of the practice routine. Each practice assignment should contain a composition element based on the new skill (ie. write a 16 beat song that contains B, A, and G.) Allow students the ability to record their songs (provide resources) and post on a website for others to see.
*Get rid of practice charts. Instead use a web 2.0 tool for students to record their practicing. By making it interactive and fun, that could cause students to want to practice more.
These are just some ideas that I have jotted down. Once again, I ask for your input. I am not sure where I am going with this yet, but I feel like it is a worthy project to look into. Feel free to leave a comment with your suggestions/criticisms/offers to collaborate, etc. You can also e-mail me at: allison.friedman@me.com
