Teaching Strategies in Music Education

EED 15
Teaching Music in the Elementary Grades

to your 4th Module

RUBINA R. NOBLE Ed.D

Instructor

[email protected]

rubinaraymundonoble

09380899549

October 8 2021
Date Initiated

October 15, 2021

Date of Completion
 SAN MATEO MUNICIPAL COLLEGE
General Luna St., Guitnang Bayan I, San Mateo, Rizal
Tel. No. (02) 8997-9070
www.smmc.edu.ph

MODULE 4 :
Teaching Strategies in Music Education

This module introduces the reader to the most effective music teaching strategies used in music education, also
familiarizes ways to engage students through music and
how technology affects music towards learning

MODULE SCHEDULE:
A. September - Synchronous meeting and Asynchronous Learning
B. for Asynchronous learning inquiries, you may reach me every Monday and Wednesday. 4:00 PM to 5PM through
the following social media accounts and cellphone number:
-Cellphone 09380899549
-Messenger (direct message or group chat)
-Google Mail ([email protected])

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
After completing this module, students should be able to;
1. describe the different strategies for teaching music education;
2. incorporate simple ways to engage students through music ;
3. evaluate how technology affects music towards learning; and
4. show appreciation and fun on the different approaches in music education.

INPUT INFORMATION

TOPICS:
1. Effective teaching strategies in music education
2. Four simple ways to engage music to students
3. How technology affects music

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College of Education Dr. Rubina R. Noble
 A Music Education, or any other type of education method, is a teaching approach that has:
1) an identifiable underlying philosophy or set of principles;
2) a unified body of pedagogy unique to it with a body of well-defined practice;
3) goals and objectives worthy of pursuit; and
4) integrity (i.e., its reason for existence must not be commercial) (Chosky et al.).
Although these approaches are often taught in music education classes, they are highly
applicable, accessible, and integrated methods appropriate for anyone interested in working
with children and the arts, or music in education in addition to music education. All educators
can incorporate the basic techniques used in these methods as they offer creative, arts-driven
curricula through which to teach.

FOUR EFFECTIVE TEACHING STRATEGIES in MUSIC EDUCATION

The landscape of music education has changed drastically over the past decade. We have a better understanding of the needs
of the modern classroom, and there are more resources available than ever, but rigid school systems can be slow to embrace change.
In many cases, it‟s up to music teachers to pave the way for a contemporary music education experience and replace traditional teaching
strategies with innovative ones that focus on inclusion and engagement.

1. Incorporate Technology

One of the most significant drawbacks of traditional music teaching methods is that they underutilize technology. Today‟s students are
the most technologically literate generation to date – much more so than their teachers – and there is a vast amount of music teaching
technology available that can be a powerful conduit to learning.
From creative music theory lessons on YouTube to guided learning through educational apps, music technology is proven to be more
engaging in the classroom. Digital Audio Workspaces (DAW) are a particularly popular resource to incorporate. Many students jump at
the chance to learn production and composition using cloud-based DAW apps like Soundation and SoundTrap.
Tools like GarageBand, Logic, Pro Tools, or Ableton Live are also possible, not to mention a wealth of free music composition apps
available to students and teachers. Some music technology can be prohibitively expensive, and it doesn‟t do much good if students can
only use it when they‟re at school. That‟s why Thornton alum Jim Wang uses accessible technology to teach production and composition
skills with GarageBand for iOS.
“Students have this powerful DAW system in their hands,” said Wang, “You show them how it works, and they‟re off on their own.”

2. Create an Inclusive Classroom

Inclusivity in a contemporary music classroom means engaging students of all learning styles,
backgrounds, and ability levels. As an educator, inclusivity and versatility go hand in hand. A
contemporary music teacher should be able to pivot from leading a jazz ensemble in the morning
to teaching a world music lesson in the afternoon, to directing an after-school rock band.“Great
orchestras, choirs, and bands have been a hallmark of fine music education, but if you offer
keyboard, guitar, and songwriting classes in addition to the classic repertoire, a wider variety of
students‟ musical needs are met,” said Robert Cutietta, Dean of USC Thornton. “If schools offer
wider musical options, music education will be transformed to better meet the needs of the
contemporary world.”Inclusivity goes beyond the range of musical genres. A genuinely inclusive
classroom is one that is respectful of present diversity, adapts to the needs of all learners, and
provides opportunities for collaboration between students.

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College of Education Dr. Rubina R. Noble
 3. Focus on Engagement

Many music teachers have the extraordinary opportunity to have a meaningful

impact on their students‟ musical journeys and keep their minds in healthy
shape. Music is a gift, but it‟s one that has to be readily accepted by the giftee.
You can‟t force music on an unwilling student. Tastes vary widely, and it can be
a daunting task to execute an educational and cohesive curriculum that‟s
engaging and responsive to individual interests.

“No one goes through the day without engaging in music in some way, and we are trying to change what is considered appropriate in
music education,” said Williams, “Why can‟t we discuss hip hop or R&B in a classroom setting?”

Four Simple Ways to Engage Students through music

Try to teach skills and concepts that will stoke the fire of self-discovery:
1. Teach basic improvisational skills

Show students how they can create simple loops to play over in GarageBand
2. Learn what your students are listening to

Find out what your students are listening to and craft lessons around the music. Don‟t write off a genre like Soundcloud Rap if over half
of your class are fans of it.

3. Embrace individual interests

Teach foundational skills or concepts in a way that allows students to use their individual preferred genres of music as the subject of
study.

4. Incorporate technology
Find ways to use technology interactively to teach less-engaging concepts.

4. Embrace the Artist-Teacher Within

One of the foundations of USC Thornton‟s Music Teaching & Learning program is
the artist-teacher. As a music teacher, one of the biggest strengths you can draw on in
the classroom is your personal experience as a musician.
“We believe strongly in the idea of the artist-teacher,” said Dean Cutietta. “We shut down
our previous undergraduate music education program because it did not address our belief
that teachers in public schools should be both solid musicians and inspirational and
relevant teachers.”
Think of anything you‟ve had to learn on the fly as a musician – organizing a concert,
working cooperatively with other musicians, dealing with the business side of music, or
producing a home recording. Each experience you‟ve learned from is an opportunity to
pass the knowledge to your students and captivate their interest.

For example, some of your students are probably interested in being a rap producer, but do they know what that entails on a day-to-day
basis? Do you? If you don‟t, be resourceful. You probably know a musician in your network who can offer insight.
Maybe your students want to be in a rock band. Show them what it‟s like by organizing a community event featuring student-created
music and letting them assist in the preparation and production of the show.
Finally, as an artist-teacher, your education doesn‟t have to stop when you leave university. As you continue to grow as a musician and
incorporate your experiences in the classroom your students will benefit as a result.
At the core of all of these contemporary music teaching strategies is an awareness that the role of the music educator has changed over
the past decade. Music teachers need to „step off the podium‟ and embrace their students‟ expertise and interests to create engaging
and relevant pedagogy. That means that more than anything the new music educator needs to begin to see him or herself as a perpetual
learner – from new technologies, new musical content and students themselves. Creating a „community of musical inquirers‟ is the
ultimate goal and the path to life-long musical engagement for students and teachers alike.

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College of Education Dr. Rubina R. Noble
 How technology affects music?

Music and musicians are experiencing commercial and creative changes as the technology is
improving with each passing day. Revolutions that are being introduced in various dynamics
of music are changing the way music is produced, recorded and performed. Enhanced digital
and online technologies are presented that have played an important role in expanding the
repertoire of music and is further aiding in development of this field. Not only it is facilitating
creation of music but is influencing its distribution in a positive manner. Innovation and
discoveries in the form of new instruments and new techniques is changing the entire
approach towards music and musicians.
Here we will be presenting how music and musicians are experiencing change in prospective
and approaches towards this art.

Technology and Creation of Music:

The entire music industry underwent major changes in ways of doing things and so this
digital revolution also changed the methods and techniques of creating music to a huge
extent. Earlier the processes were analog but now studios and production houses have
made transitions from analog to digital methods of creating music. Changing methods are
not only offering enhanced convenience but are cost-effective too.

Introduction of software have made making music simpler with modern mixing controls,
synthesizers, compressors and other similar gears. You can even create and record your
music if you only have a computer system. With a click of your mouse, you can get
everything stored. Now anyone can create music within the premises of their home with
their computer system. Although for specific genres of music such as classical rock and other styles, you may need a combination of
analog and digital gears in order to get authentic results. This ease of creating and recording music has enable many of the
aspiring, young and new musicians to enter the industry. Thus, it makes the industry more competitive and versatile.

As technology and software are improving, there are now less changes of loss of integrity with music. Moreover, when you work in the
analog world; it is nearly impossible to exactly recall your mix and creation. But in the digital world, you can carry your computer system
in the form of laptop anywhere in the world and can replay your exact mix without making any mistakes.

Technology Introduces Exciting New Sounds:

With enhanced technology, new synths, mixers, sample manipulators and other pro tools
are being introduced that even affects your music writing to a huge extent. Now you get
to hear more of different noises and sounds that you might have never heard before.
Most of the musicians now are seen working with samples and effects that their systems
already have and they manipulate those sounds to choose notes that they would like to
use. This is done before they even begin to write their music. They begin with a rough
idea in their mind and subconsciously direct their sound attributes from keyboard effects
and samples.

Earlier musicians used to think of their musical notes that what they want to write and it
would need an incredible thinking and writing skill with music. Now many musicians begin
with a raw idea and work on power of electronics to produce something valuable. This
aids you to tap in to new sounds with much simplicity that is too difficult in absence of
these tech tools.

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College of Education Dr. Rubina R. Noble
 LEARNING ACTIVITIES:
Essay: Answer this question comprehensively (3 sentences}
* In what way technology affects music/sounds, in the classroom setting.

ASSESSMENT/ EVALUATION:
In your own perspective in just 100 words
1. How are these strategies, beneficial and can make teaching, effective and fun for students?

Assignment:

Video yourself.. on the things that strikes you the most. It can be a sharing or Dramatization.1 minute only submit to your
groupmates..4-5 .. Be artistic and has moral lesson.

LEARNING RESOURCES:

Online Resources:
 https://music.usc.edu/four-effective-music-teaching-strategies-for-todays-diverse-classrooms/
 Merker, Bjorn. 2000. “Synchronous chorusing and human origins.” In The origins of music. Edited by Nils Wallin, Bjorn Merker
and Steven Brown, pp. 315-328. Cambridge, Massachusetts: MIT
 https://bestdigitalpianoguides.com/how-technology-affects-music-and-
musicians/#:~:text=Technology%20and%20Creation%20of%20Music%3A&text=Back%20in%20times%2C%20creation%20a
nd,process%20significantly%20easier%20and%20cheaper.
 https://www.musical-u.com/learn/what-is-kodaly-and-how-does-it-relate-to-ear-
training/#:~:text=The%20Kod%C3%A1ly%20Method%20includes%20the,%E2%80%9Cla%E2%80%9D%20at%20eye%20lev
el.
 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sight-reading

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College of Education Dr. Rubina R. Noble