Week 1A- Technology in Music Education Today

https://www.coursera.org/learn/music-education

I believe in the broader view of schools in Australia that no, one approach is not "better" than the other. When focusing on the suitability of either approach for any given child, well that is a completely different can of worms!

There is no doubt that our society is growing vastly more dependent on technology as it advances. Similarly, as Humberstone illustrates so beautifully, "The question is not whether the role of the teacher should change, but how. And how the technological revolution can best be harnessed to improve teaching and learning".

In an ideal world I would balance these approaches by combining the Steiner philosophy of being screen free until an older age. This way each child has the opportunity to grow independently and creatively without the influence of media and technology. However as students mature and can be trusted to use technology appropriately, I believe it is important to integrate technology into the classroom as NBCS has done. Obviously the level in which NBCS uses technology is high however we should be preparing students for adulthood and what comes with it during high school years. Therefore I believe we are doing students an injustice if we do not include technology into the upper schooling curriculum.

As for how I balance these approaches in my own teaching, well that will depend on what school I'm at, the position I have at that school, the socio-economic value of the surrounding area along with a number of other factors.

Below I have included notes that I took while watching each video:

Introduction to NBCS

"We started with the premise that we needed to put the student first..." - Collis

Learning is profoundly social so we need to put that first.

Lets give the student the time, the space and the support to push themselves to their limits.

I think empty space is really critical. We cannot get rid of physical movement. When we move, our minds open up.

The teacher guides their learning rather than directs it.

Technology allows the teacher to become more receptive.

The question is not whether the role of the teacher should change, but how. And how the technological revolution can best be harnessed to improve teaching and learning.

Music Class at NBCS

By having the opportunity to combine yr groups into stages, the students are able to always look ahead in their journey. The senior students also become mentors to the lower grade and the younger students have the opportunity to extend their knowledge beyond their age.

The students have walked into an incredibly inspirational classroom.

Students move in 'bands' around the various zones in the room.

New & Old

To provide every student with a technology rich BUT musical experience.

Introduction to Kamoroi

Song and movement are built into every part of their day.

The arts are integrated into all learning in Steiner schools.

Kamoroi uses music in every lesson and has a totally different approach to the use of technology.

Screen Free Children

The balance is very necessary for us and so we put the resources in.

We'd like the children to develop their own original thought before using technology because so often it can be misused.

Skills of the 21st century are Empathy, inventiveness, creativity.

Music Class at Kamaroi

All parts are learned from memory rather than a score so that no one is waiting around for others to learn.

Reserved approach to technology, not just in the classroom but in the lives of the children.

Broad Demographics

Do it in that self organised learning environment.

Learning can be personalised and students can learn from each other. The way students interact is so different from the past. Now the knowledge is at their fingertips. It is their world and they expect to learn from each other.

The laptops have allowed students to pick up their device and find out solutions for themselves.