Constructivism

Ormrod defines constructivism as a "mental process in which a learner takes many separate pieces of information and uses them to build an overall understanding or interpretation" (218). Constructivism is a frequently used method in music. In music education there are so many elements that effect how a student will perform a piece of music; such as dynamics, characters, articulation, and knowledge of music history are just a few. I think it would be difficult to use any of the applications in a music classroom, but I think it would be interesting to try to use service learning if it is possible. Service learning is defined by Ormrod as an "activity that promotes learning and development through contributing to the betterment of other and the outside community" (232).

In my classroom I would try to use service learning through performing for those less fortunate. For example I think that it would be really cool to try to get a group together and perform for the Joy of Music school. By playing for them we could help to inspire them to continue to work hard in the practice room. We could also perform a concert at a nursing home. This would provide great joy to our community, and it would give my students more chances to perform. I believe that students would enjoy giving back to the community especially if the local community helped to provide them with an instrument. The obstacles would be to get students to come outside of school to volunteer to do a concert, because this concert would not be considered to be required since it is not on school grounds. Also the paper work would be very difficult to pull through with the retirement agency because of scheduling and getting others to participate would also be a challenge.