We must be prepared, in the classroom, to "think on our feet". One can have the most detailed, specific, well-planned lesson, only to have a student's comment divert the plan's course to an entirely different topic. This flexibility must be respected. All too often, teachers listen to a comment or contribution, and then quickly get the class "back on track". While we must have some objectives, it is my belief that the music classroom is very much about experiential learning. Students learn about music primarily through making and listening to music, and secondarily through dialoguing about it. There can't be a wrong answer.
This is especially applicable to the arts, because art can be viewed in so many ways...some of the most beautiful, insightful, sociologically telling works of art can be considered "obscene" during their artists' lifetimes, but can grow to describe their era and inspire future artists. Since each of our students will come from a unique background, it is essential that we open ourselves to a variety of interpretations.
Not only is each student unique in his or her talents and interests, but in his or her perspective on a subject. Individual experiences play a huge role in creating context for a concept...therefore, as teachers, we must not only strive to accept the student's musical contributions but the whole student.
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3 comments:
I love that we both wrote our blogs on flexibility. If we aren't completely open to "going with the flow" we can seem unsure or nervous in front of our students, which could compromise the respect that students have for their teachers. :)
I agree that we most "think on our feet" in the classroom. I think it's so important to let the lesson's take naturally take their course, and go where they need to go.
I think that so much of the arts is about individuality, and find your individual self as a person. I was fortunate enough in high school to be apart of an arts program that really focused on the students individualism. It makes you realize the different talents and skills that every student has to offer. I think it's our job as teachers to recognize these talents and skills in students, and help them to use them to the best of their abilities.
I completely agree. Sometimes I feel that in our class, the best conversation comes from the tangents that we take whether they are started by Dr. Schmidt or the other classmates. At the end of class, it's hard to remember what got us there, but it causes us all to think on our feet and really express how we feel. It also allows us to use personal experiences to back up our opinions.
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