As I come to a close on my undergraduate career here at SUNY Potsdam's Crane School of Music, I can't help but reminisce on the memories and friendships I have created as well as the experiences and connections I have made while here. I have been given amazing opportunities and I am enthusiastic to share my knowledge with the world.
I was asked at the beginning of my final semester "Why is there a disconnect among students here at Crane when they go out to student teach? Why can't they connect the dots on everything they have learned?" My Response: College is not a four year undergraduate experience. You have three years to make an impact on your teachers, then you have 1/2 a year to put your theories to practice and 1/2 a year to prepare for your life outside of Crane. In your first three years of undergraduate you don't obtain the information as well because people spend a lot of their weekends doing the things they aren't suppose to be doing. Furthermore, techniques classes are not just a semester course you should be keeping up on your secondaries and piano until you graduate. In addition, conducting is not just a two semester course in which you can master it. These requires years of practice to master and understand. A lot of students prepare for the test and forget about it but these are life long skills we need. Undergraduate Students also need to understand that you need to keep an open mind about the theories that are taught. You don't have to listen to them but take from them lessons to be learned. You can say "I will never use that in my class" or "Okay, I can use this is X situation" or "I kind of like this maybe I will use it." Then I think students would feel more prepared for student teaching.
This Journal contains questions about teaching that I had come across during my experiences in my General Music Practicum Course.
What I know about Music Education before PME
Music Education today is a tough field to go into. Unfortunately with the financial situation in the United States, it is very hard for music educators to land a job. As musicians we spend hours upon hours practicing and preparing to go out to teach and it’s very unfortunate we can’t land jobs. As a music educator one must adapt to the things going on around them with their colleagues. For example, we must talk to the sport coaches and plan our concerts accordingly that way there is no interference with one another. Furthermore we need to be able to handle the students that are misbehaving in rehearsals, concerts, and are simply not doing the work they need to be doing to be successful. Also the job market for music educators is very competitive even though there is few jobs out there because, you are competing with new teachers fresh out of college, and teachers who have had years of experience teaching but were let off due to funding therefore, being difficult for newcomers to get a job. In addition to the aforementioned statements, if the music program is running low on funds, sometimes the teacher has to pay out of pocket in order to keep the music program, and keep their job. In conclusion music education today is a tough career to go into however, can be quite satisfying in the end, seeing students succeed is something that is indescribable, it gives you a sense of accomplishment and brings a warmness to your heart. What I know mid-term about music teaching (PME) What I know about music education now, is that it is still a tough field to go into. There are cuts being made through many school systems, and it’s unfortunate because music should be a part of a community. There are a lot of requirements a teacher must meet, and you have what’s entitled a “Planning Period.” I never knew that existed. Furthermore, I now know that there are certain standards you need to meet when teaching. You have to keep these standards in mind when making your lesson plans because; if a standard isn’t being met, then you could potentially lose your job especially now that teachers are being evaluated. Teachers only get about 40 minutes to teach, and I am realizing how difficult it can be to plan for only those 40 minutes, and whatever you did not get done on that day, must be done on the next, or next lesson. You also need to find ways to keep these kids entertained and find a way in order for them to better understand whether that be a connection to something in their life, or a different way to think about it. Teachers have to constantly adapt to what they have, and present the student with knowledge in way they can understand. In conclusion the music education field is one that can be very tough to land a job. It is very competitive however, if you are open minded and have the will and the knowledge to teach students effectively and a good track record, there’s no reason why someone won’t hire. It is all about being positive and staying positive and never giving up. What I know at the end of the term about music teaching What I know about music education now (MTL) What I know about music education now is that it is critical to be creative. Many administrators are looking for teachers to create new innovative ways to teach students and achieve life-long learning. Furthermore I have come to find that there are a variety of ways to run your classroom, thus the "Teaching Toolbox" as seen in a previous post in the Music Education Journal. Furthermore, the curriculum we bring to students should facilitate the students interest and not the teacher telling the students what to do. In addition to the aforementioned statements, the teacher should constantly be adapting their unique individual teaching style. You can take ideas from those who created theories such as Gordon, Koday etc. however, that doesn't show you as a teacher are unique. With technology advancing there are a variety of ways to develop yourself professionally in the classroom. (See Professional Learning Statement Under Self Development & Curriculum design.) When going for a job it is also important to have an extensive resume, act professional, dress professional, and make yourself as marketable as you can. The more you can put out there about how you teach and the way you teach is critical.
This toolbox is designed specifically for 5th grade learners. It shows a graphic representation of basic musicianship and content
Blank Spot: Be the teacher, and not just teach
It's a concern because as students we have not experienced teaching yet. We don't know the interests of our students, our school we are in and the atmosphere. Furthermore, we have all this knowledge about music and education yet how are we able to scaffold a curriculum that is applicable to our students ever day lives? In MTL (2013) my practicum group discussed ways to solve this issue. We came up with the following:
Resopnse from MTL Professor Dr. Mark Campbell: Dr. Campbell wrote an article on undergraduate teaching and stated these solutions fall under three categories: 1. Develop an understanding of learners, learning, and issues of diversity 2. Develop a beginning repertoire of teaching strategies 3. Develop tools and dispositions to study teaching.
In this document you will see my educational implications on how to teach the basics of Hip-Hop
In this document you will see my education implications on how to teach new iPad/iPod applications to students, and how to implement them in a classroom setting.
This video shows a product of my Self-Development. This is the first Rap I have ever created.
|
Kyle ChamberlinThis Music Education Journal is devised to show my growth as a Music Educator. I appreciate all feed back in order to self critique and further my knowledge and growth as an educator. Archives |