So we are down to the last few assignments to ponder (along with an exam), and this one is to try and synthesize how learning the information presented in this class, Foundations of Music Ed as part of the UF MME program, has impacted and affected how I will teach in the future. What a broad and loaded prompt this week to finish with!
Let's start with the initial section on philosophy. In regards to philosophy I had never truly been exposed to the different concepts of rationalism, empiricism, pragmatism, and eclecticism. I never knew how much I gravitated towards some of the practices of rationalism and empiricism, while holding some views of pragmatism. Even now I have trouble pinpointing my own views but I can easily see how trying to skirt the edges of never staying fully in one philosophical camp (eclecticism) can be detrimental both to consistency of teaching techniques, but also to the students with not having clear goals to try and reach. That whole section has prompted more personal thought, and will likely change the way I approach certain classes. I have found that it seems that different classes require a different approach, partially in the way I am presented to students, and also in the format in which the instruction needs to be presented. Often I need to be the "sage" full of wisdom, but their are always opportunities to step back and let students find the answers and learn with them, despite this being more difficult for me to accept.
Probably my favorite parts of the course were on aesthetics and the role of music education. I've always known as a musician that music was important, but in the past when trying to prove it's value I have feel significantly short. In combination, these two sections have greatly increased both my ability to stand on firm conceptual footing in terms of the "why" that music is so important (that it teaches connection to feeling, and appreciation aesthetic value, a uniquely human trait that music is uniquely qualified to assist with) but also how not just to teach the formative qualities of how music is put together, but to teach in large part to the goal of aesthetic learning through a good combination of referentialism, expressionism, and formalism. Though I had been unknowingly using these concepts to various degrees and success in the past, to truly understand the approaches as separate entities and relate them to music education will help focus my techniques in all the lessons I teach. I also highly enjoyed how enjoyment of music is so subjective, based on familiarity. This new understanding, based on research and definitive writings on the concepts, will undoubtedly change how I present music to students, and change the amount of familiar vs. unfamiliar styles of music I present to students in conjunction with well thought out explanations as to how it is important to their education. As has been a mantra between my wife and I for quite some time, "it's all about balance."
I am not completely convinced that I will use much of the information on sociology, for I feel many of the concepts presented I have had a firm grasp on already, such as cultural factors, biological factors, and nature vs. nurture. Music as human behavior was new though, and I had never really thought about it as another basic function of human existence. With this new viewpoint still percolating in my mind, it is hard to say if this will change my teaching practices. I have always held music up on a pedestal for students as being something special, and even if I wind up believing otherwise in the future, I am not sure I would want to change my presentation to students (possibly waiting to offer this viewpoint only for older students), as it has always been a way for me to help make music seem special to them, and motivate them. The jury is still out on this topic.
Self-image and conformity were also topics within social psychology that have been refined and clarified for me to the point that I believe my teaching focus will increase to remain mindful of helping to support self-image and promote useful conformity techniques for more efficiency in my lessons and classes. The extensive knowledge gained from this course of adolescent conformity has greatly increased, and will undoubtedly help me bridge the gap that sometimes forms between those students and myself, despite my best efforts. The new insight will help so that I can reach them and not come off as "that lame teacher" while realizing that some of the walls they will create will never be fully breached, simply because I exist within a different generation from them. Once again, the balance is needed between trying to hard to relate to them and understand where they are coming from, and help them reach the next stage of their lives both personally and musically, is required.
Finally, between the behaviorist and cognitivist camps of psychology in relation to music instruction, I think understanding both the clear line between the different approaches, but also how they inter-relate to earlier concepts discussed like educational philosophy, will help focus my educational presentations based both on individual student needs and the scenario in which I am teaching them. One of the great things about being a guest clinician is the ability to bridge the line between laying downs tasks for students to follow, using empiricism and behaviorist approaches and technique, and switching over almost seamlessly to pragmatic and cognitive tactics to get students thinking beyond what they are used to.
I am not going to say this class will fundamentally change anything I do, but I think it is fair to say that much of my instruction in the future will be more efficient due to having a clearer idea on how I believe I need to proceed. An analogy to describe this change would be to say that in the past I have been trying to throw a pencil at a dartboard. I have understood my goals, but not always have had the most refined tools and technique to get my efforts to stick. Now I will be throwing with darts, and though I might not always hit the target I am aiming at, my efforts will be more efficient so that I might refine my techniques, as opposed to wonder why certain throws just did not stick.
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