Student Interviews
I was able to interview three elementary school students here in London Ontario about their musical background and how they enjoy music education in their schools. I noticed that there were some similar answers between the students when I asked them about having a music classroom in their schools. They enjoy when the music teacher has their own room rather than traveling from class to class because the music room has more space to play in, more instruments to chose from, and allows the students to fully implement themselves into their musical surroundings. One out of the three students I interviewed take music lessons outside of school and plays a musical instrument classically. All three of the students seem to have the same class structure of mainly singing and playing musical games with the occasional use of instruments in the class. When I asked if they would be interested in learning about history or theory the seemed to be less interested. None of the students I interviewed said that they would be interested in pursuing music in their educational careers because they like music to be considered more of a hobby or a fun activity to do every once in a while at school. I learned that music surrounds children in their day to day lives and it is important to teach young kids that music is fun and it is something that could be turned into a career. The children I interviewed were very young and their music classes seemed to keep them interested. I really enjoyed talking to each of these students because it helped me understand how children are being taught music at the elementary level and how this pedagogy can be improved in the future.
|
|
Movie Clips
|
|
1. Here comes the Boom
Here Comes the Boom is a movie about a high school teacher named Scott Voss who wants to fundraise money for his school music program by participating in mixed martial arts fights. His fighting coach Niko is in the process of getting his American citizenship. In this clip, you will see Niko, and the smartest music student, Mila, studying American history through song. In this movie clip, the music student Mila is the educator and the adult Niko is the student. I chose this movie clip because it shows that learning through music can be helpful to anyone and teaching doesn't have to only be done by teachers. The student, Mila, recognizes that everybody has some number of connection with music and uses that to her advantage when trying to teach Niko about the American president. Niko reacts positively to this teaching method and ends up passing his citizenship test. I relate to this movie clip because I used this technique a lot in high school to help myself memorize information for tests as well. Learning through music is something that everyone can benefit from regardless of whether or not they have had music education incorporated in their schooling. It is important to additionally note that we do not only learn from our elders but from our youth. This clip is an example of good teaching because the instructor is recognizing how the learner is capable of learning through song and is adjusting her teaching methods according to his choice of music. It is imperative for teachers to connect with students and understand how they learn so that their teaching can be more effective. |
|
2. Uncle Buck
In this scene, Uncle Buck has been called in by his niece's school's vice principal to discuss her classroom habits. The vice principal comes across as very unmerciful and delusional when it comes to how children should be taking their education seriously. Uncle Buck does not appreciate the principal's tone and her opinion. Unfortunately, I have had an experience similar to this with a teacher from my high school. I was told that because I was not excelling in her class, I should be tested to see if I had a learning disability. I remember my parents not receiving this news very well and responded similarly to how Uncle Buck responded but in a much more professional manner. It is unfortunate that there are educators who feel as though the number of years they have been teaching can benefit students more than their actual teaching methods. It is important to have experience, but if you do not evolve with the students as the years go by, teachers will find themselves in a similar position to the vice principal in this movie clip. Sticking to what is traditional will not work so well for teachers who have been in the industry for decades. It is necessary to not only teach the students but to learn and grow with them. This movie clip is an example of problematic teaching because the principal is treating six-year-old kids as though they are in their final years of high school. She also uses her years active as an educator to prove her point which should not matter if her point was truly valid. When Uncle Buck reminds her that the child is only six years old the principal responds by saying that she hears that excuse all the time and she dismisses it. To be a vice principal of an elementary school it is vital to understand that you are dealing with young children and not young adults. |