Instruction
Instructional delivery is the key to any and all effective instruction. While planning and preparation are a huge part in it as well, the plan can fall completely flat without proper delivery. Using methods foreign to the students will not help them at all. Even though you may think you know how to best teach a concept, what you think may not always be the case. Every student learns differently; no class is ever going to be a cookie-cutter class. Being prepared to teach a concept multiple ways is a mark of a good and successful educator.
3b: Using Questioning and Discussion Techniques
Review and Walkthroughs
Due to the demographic I have experienced within the Central Dauphin School District, I have had the unique opportunity to teach ESL students of a variety of languages. Using questioning and discussion techniques within a hands-on classroom, like Guitar, allows them to draw their own conclusions and inferences. This allows them to retain it better than simply talking at them. By asking them questions about what we've learned in the days before, and providing the positive reinforcement, this enforces personal responsibility on what they are learning. Another great technique for guitar is having them walk me through the steps on how to play a song or exercise. By using rapid fire questioning, we go through the process quickly, and then have to constantly be on their guard to answer the next question.
3c: Engaging Students in learning
The right amount of engagement within the classroom is a key aspect to retentive learning. Students must not be too bored or idle, but also must not be overwhelmed. I had the experience of just the right amount of engagement through a rhythmic worksheet I had made for a 6th grade class I taught in my placement at Central Dauphin East Middle School. With the new rotation of student coming in, I had the opportunity to start them on their first unit. This unit was the introduction to rhythm, and it allowed me to start almost from scratch. Instead of using what my coop usually used that used the "pizza method", I took this opportunity to create a worksheet using a method that I had bee taught known as the "tree method." This method is encompassing of the three main educational forms (aural, visual, and tactile) by allowing them to write in the note values on the page, see how they look and the different forms they might have, and then hearing it by counting and saying what they see out loud. I have attached this worksheet in PDF form. Please feel free to browse and analyze it.
3d: Using Assessment in Instruction
Constant Assessment
During my placement at Central Dauphin East High School, I was given the opportunity to introduce a finger picking unit to my 8th period Guitar II class. Within this unit, I learned the value of constant performance assessment. It is not enough to merely play through an exercise and call it done. Time must be provided to study, analyze, and practice. The unit took slightly longer than I had expected after I realized this. However, through the use of this constant assessment, it allowed me to figure out better pacing for each day, and how to break down an exercise for my students for better retention and practice techniques. Break down techniques include providing a chordal analysis of the piece, as well as practice methods of playing one line of notes at a time when multiple notes simultaneously. Here I have provided MP3 files of the 3 pieces my students had to choose from as their final performance piece, all of which had their own challenges to them.
3e: Demonstrating Flexibility and Responsiveness
Versatile Engagement
This is very important, especially within a hands-on ensemble or music classroom. If the plan isn’t working, change it up; try something else. Music is versatile, as must be the way it is taught. While at Central Dauphin East High School, this became very apparent to me in my ninth period Guitar I class. Not only is it the end of the day, but they're all immature, 14 year old freshman students holding an instrument. They're first and strongest instinct it to just play. When I realized I wasn't going to be able to review with them in the usual ways of some call and response, or question and answer, I chose a different tactic. I made a Kahoot review for them using the free Kahoot website, with a reward of cookies and Panther Bucks. This completely changed their engagement level, and provided them with the review they needed to have. If you have a Kahoot, and wish to see or play it for yourself, please click on the link I have provided.