Educators all around the world are constantly trying to instil a hunger for learning in their students. New methodologies, theories and resources appear everyday, striving to make our students more curious, engaged and intrinsically motivated. The main goal for teachers is to construct and support an atmosphere where anything is possible.
The 'Maker Movement' or 'Maker Education' is one way that educators are encouraging the development of this idea. The core construct of this movement is learning through active discovery and investigation. It inspires and nurtures innovation and experimentation through problem-solving and relevant 'life-skill' based activities.
Makerspaces in schools are facilitating this type of learning but this movement could also be adapted into any classroom activity or unit of work.
The key ideas to include in classroom activities:
- Presenting students with an idea or problem for them to respond to.
- Emphasis on drawings and labelling and workshopping numerous drafts.
- 'Bottom up' approach to problem solving instead of 'top down'.
- The view that students "Invent to Learn" through the art of tinkering and explaining their own ideas.
- Differentiation in this method is seen through the various levels of skills needed to complete projects and the different opportunities that students have to extend themselves.
- Above all - Allow the students to own the project.
The Music classroom is a perfect setting for students to explore, experiment and ultimately create. Technology provides us with ways to encourage students to explore with sound in modern and relevant ways.
Here are some examples of the technology available and suitable for students of all levels:
One tool, a million possibilities. Create sensors with its 12 electrodes to trigger sounds through its MP3 player.Â
The user can use objects as sensors or create their own through Graphic sensors using Electric Paint.
Turn everyday objects into touchpads and combine them with the internet. It's a simple Invention Kit for Beginners and Experts doing art, engineering, and everything in between.
Use the arrow keys to trigger set sounds e.g. like a keyboard.
It also comes with links to applications and websites that it is compatible with.
By combining the concepts of children's building bricks with modular synthesis, littleBits have created something that may appeal to all age groups.
Each module has a single function, and they snap together using magnets and a physical male/female architecture to ensure that they're connected the right way around. Each has a small circuit board mounted on it and easy-to-use controls to allow you to affect what it does.
MUED4002 lecture: 28/9/18 About Music Education Lecture Series