Music & Technology

As teachers develop their learning outcomes for assignments and projects, teachers also need to develop their assessments. Bauer (2014) states, “Teachers design, develop, and evaluate authentic learning experiences and assessment incorporating contemporary tools and resources to maximize content learning,” (Bauer, p. 132, 2014). Authentic assessments are important for student learning, development, and success. In order to create valid assessments, teachers need to align their assessments with the learning outcomes. Furthermore, assessments need to be consistent throughout the assignments and from student to student (Bauer 2014).                  In music ensembles, teachers may develop checklists, rating scales, or rubrics to define necessary criteria to assess student growth in rehearsal and performance. “A checklist indicates achievement or nonachievement of an outcome” (Bauer, p. 137, 2014). Che...

As students learn, using technology and projects are becoming increasingly popular. While project based learning has many added benefits for student progress, teachers must also be aware of copyright laws in place protecting individual rights. Teachers and students need to know how to use materials properly to follow copyright laws.  In learning, students utilize their prior knowledge to make connections to new knowledge. As teachers plan lessons and activities teachers must be aware of students’ prior learning. To determine student knowledge teachers may use assessments, ask students questions, or speak with prior teachers. Students learn best through activity. As students actively learn in class, the teacher becomes more of a facilitator to aid in student learning. In learning, many subjects are learned socially. In social cognitive settings, students learn through modeling, observing, and imitating. As social constructivists, students “evaluate their own understanding o...