Creating a conductive learning enviornment

A conductive learning environment is essential for every classroom. In class we discovered different types of educational environments through Samantha and Taylor. Ormond states that a learning environment that is useful is one that makes students comfortable, that displays resources and information, and that promotes social interactions between students. The classroom setup should be both productive and efficient. Students should not be distracted by how the classroom is arranged. It is also helpful if the room and tools should be easily accessible. Time should not be wasted from transitioning from one activity to another. Ormond says to create "good working relationships with your students." I believe that having a good relationship with your students and parents will help the classroom become more comfortable for everyone.

   

High School Case Study

You have started to dread your fifth period music class. It is made up entirely of seniors who are counting the days until graduation and seem to care very little about learning. Most of the students are obviously members of one clique or another. Whenever they think your back is turned, they start passing notes and text messaging. Worse, three boys have started disrupting those engaged in learning. No matter what you say, they laugh at the students who sing tenor and soprano, especially when they are practicing their parts. Yesterday, Tony, Jeff, and Morris started roughhousing then all three of them refused to sit down and follow the class procedures that the classroom community agreed upon at the beginning of the year. Although you have been using a set approach to handling infractions of rules, you decide it is time to change these procedures.

I choose this particular case study because I've personally experienced something similar in my freshman orchestra class.

My first step to changing my classroom is starting the class with the new rules. Every student needs to know that their grade will partially rely on classroom participation, and behavior. Disruptions and roughhousing in the classroom will result in a lower grade. I would then have a class discussion of what the class would like to be changed as far as the program goes. What can I do to help them? I would also speak with Tony, Jeff, and Morris after class and they would all receive detention for their actions. I would separate these three boys since they seem to be causing a large disturbance during class time. I would also separate other cliques in the classroom.

Second step would be to implement new ideas that the students have suggested. If there continues to be problems with those students I will then pull them aside and tell them that they could possibly fail this class if they do not begin cooperating properly.

Lastly I would hold a parent teacher conference to show that I truly care for the student's success.   

          

Theories of Motivation

Motivation can be a tool that can be used to make the classroom a more exciting and engaging place. You ask me what kind of motivation are most helpful for myself? I feel like I need a combination of extrinsic and intrinsic motivating. When it comes to being in a normal classroom setting I need extrinsic motivation. For example when it comes to college gen eds I could care less what the material is actually about because I'm never going to need to know how cells divide I just care about passing the class. Now music classes, private lessons, and orchestra are a whole different ball game. I am an intrinsic motivator. I've been playing the viola for 11 years now and most of the work is done outside of the classroom and inside the practice room. Every musician is their own teacher, and most of the learning process occurs on your own.

Motivation can be enhanced by the instructor in addition to fellow classmates. In my classroom I will use a playing chart. Each student will have to pass off music playing tests, and once a student has successfully passed they will receive a star. Halfway through the semester if all students have passed their playing tests I will have a holiday party for my students. This pushes students to not only be motivated to complete their exercises but also to motivate their fellow classmates to pass their tests. Then this process will repeat for the end of year party.       

The Many forms of Assessment

For my forms of assessment I will use a classroom orchestra setting.

Informal Assessment- Noticing that a student is lost in the music when I have started conducting, and adjusting my strategy for making a clearer start. Another would be if a student is not using the right bowing with the rest of the ensemble to address the problem.

Formal Assessment - Having a playing exams are an important tool that I can use to to assess if a student has practiced their music. Effort and improvement are more important than pure talent. For each and every student so that they can observe their own progress.

Paper-Pencil Assessment - This is a very important tool in the music world. Written papers or essays can help students better understand a concept. Knowing about a style period will effect how a student will perform. Also sparking creativity in students to try and compose music, or even to test their knowledge through music theory worksheets.

Performance Assessment - (see formal assessment) Playing exams or ensembles performing are a crucial part in music education. Also recording the ensemble is a great way for students to hear what they are playing wrong. An example in the real world would be what you hear when you speak and what you actually sound like on a recording device are very different. Listening from the outside in will help to open up students ears, to listen to the ensemble and not just themselves.

Traditional Assessment - Tests about key signatures, clefs, theory, and parts of the instrument.

Authentic Assessment - Music is a great opportunity for students to understand life skills. For example being on time to class is important because in the music world if you are on time you are fired, being early is being successful. Critical thinking and working with others can be put to real life experiences.

Standardized Tests - I think this is the most worthless, time- consuming instrument.

Teacher developed assessment instruments- As stated previously I will base grades on their practice chart, and playing exams.

Criterion-referenced assessment - A theory test, if students don't understand a concept clearly then it will reflect in their grade.

Norm-referenced assessments - I will put a chart with each child's name on it and every time that they pass a playing assessment, I will then let that child put a star on the chart. If every assessment is completed then the student may participate in the end of year party. This will challenge each student to push one another to do better.