The Place of Music in 21st Century Education from Coursera

What do children need from education now, and in the future? How is technology best used in teaching and learning? How can innovative approaches to education be reconciled with established, traditional ones? What does student-centred learning really mean?

This five module course is not just for classroom or ensemble music educators. It’s suitable for anyone interested in creativity-infused education, in contemporary education issues, and in the integration and use of digital technology. It’s designed to challenge old paradigms, to inspire innovative and creative pedagogical philosophies, and to develop your ability to critically respond to the latest research.

We’ll visit schools with vastly different approaches to learning and teaching, and meet inspiring teachers and principals. We’ll venture inside the classroom to closely observe how technology is integrated with music education – or how it’s decidedly not!

We’ll talk to international leaders and experts about innovative and traditional approaches to music education, and I’ll provide insights from my own practice as well as from some of my students.

I’ll be provoking you to think critically and creatively, to develop your own ideas and theories around students’ educational needs and the impact of digital technologies, now and into the future.

Copy and paste this link into your browser to watch the trailer:

http://tinyurl.com/music-education-21st-century

What's inside

Syllabus

Technology in (music) education

What does music education look like with and without technology?

Aliens

Hein: "Why does classroom music seem alien?"

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Introduces learners to key concepts and ideas in music education

Provides opportunities for learners to explore different approaches to music education

Taught by Dr. James Humberstone, recognized for work in music education as an author, researcher, lecturer, and curriculum developer

Coursework includes hands-on learning, discussions, and research

Strongly aligned with the needs of educators, musicians, and professionals in the music industry

Provides a comprehensive overview of contemporary issues in music education

Reviews summary

Rethinking music education for the 21st century

According to hypothetical students, this course offers a thought-provoking and highly relevant exploration of the challenges and opportunities facing 21st century music education. Learners widely appreciate how the course encourages them to rethink traditional pedagogical approaches and deeply engages with the crucial role of technology integration. While the philosophical and conceptual content is often found valuable for shaping future perspectives, some hypothetical reviewers mention a warning: lack of practical, hands-on examples or 'how-to' guides for applying the ideas directly in diverse classroom settings. Overall, it is described as particularly valuable for educators interested in the philosophy and future direction of music education.

Explores unique and abstract ideas.

"Found the sections on 'aliens' and pluralism really unique."

"Liked the way it pushed boundaries beyond standard pedagogy."

"Some parts felt a bit abstract, but thought-provoking."

Timely exploration of current issues.

"Highly relevant for anyone teaching music in the 21st century."

"Addresses crucial questions about education and technology."

"Helped me navigate contemporary challenges in music ed."

Challenges assumptions and encourages rethinking.

"It really made me rethink my entire approach to teaching music."

"Challenged my assumptions about technology in the classroom."

"Provided a new lens through which to view music education today."

More focus on theory than hands-on methods.

"Wish there were more concrete examples of tech integration."

"It's great for theory, but less helpful for the 'how-to' in the classroom."

"Expected more practical strategies, found it quite abstract."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in The Place of Music in 21st Century Education with these activities:

Read 'The Music Advantage' by Nina Kraus

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Explore the scientific evidence linking music education to cognitive, social, and emotional development, reinforcing the importance of music in education.

View Of Sound Mind: How Our Brain Constructs a... on Amazon

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Obtain a copy of the book
Read and reflect on the key concepts presented in each chapter

Review math concepts

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Brush up on basic math concepts like addition, trigonometry, and algebra that are used throughout this course. This will significantly reduce the cognitive load when working through course material.

Browse courses on Mathematics

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Solve word problems involving proportions
Identify and solve equations with variables on both sides
Graph linear equations and inequalities

Review basic music theory

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Solidify foundational concepts in music theory to enhance comprehension of advanced topics in the course.

Browse courses on Music Theory

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Revisit books or online resources on basic music theory concepts
Practice identifying intervals, scales, and chords

Nine other activities

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Show all 12 activities

Explore online tutorials on music education

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Gain insights and expand knowledge in music education by engaging with online tutorials covering various topics and approaches.

Browse courses on Music Education

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Identify reputable online platforms or educators offering music education tutorials
Choose tutorials that align with personal interests or areas for improvement

Discuss music education research with peers

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Join a study group or online forum with other music educators. This will give you the opportunity to discuss research findings, share ideas, and learn from others.

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Find a study group or online forum
Introduce yourself and share your interests
Participate in discussions and share your insights

Practice sight-reading exercises

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Enhance proficiency in reading and performing musical notations, aiding in the comprehension of musical pieces.

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Obtain graded sight-reading materials or use online platforms
Practice regularly, focusing on accuracy and fluency

Learn about specific music education software

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Find tutorials on specific music education software programs, such as Sibelius, Finale, or GarageBand. This will help you develop the skills you need to use these programs effectively in your teaching.

Browse courses on Music Technology

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Identify the specific software programs that you want to learn
Search for tutorials on these programs
Follow the tutorials and complete the exercises
Create a project using the software

Attend a music technology workshop

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Gain hands-on experience with music technology tools and techniques, enhancing understanding of their practical applications in music education.

Browse courses on Music Technology

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Research and identify relevant workshops
Attend the workshop and actively participate in hands-on activities
Apply the acquired knowledge and skills in personal music projects

Technology in (music) education compilation

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Gather articles, videos, and other resources on the use of technology in music education. This will help you develop a deeper understanding of the topic and identify specific tools and strategies that you can use in your own teaching.

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Search for articles and videos on technology in music education
Create a document or spreadsheet to organize your findings
Write a brief summary of each resource
Share your compilation with other teachers or students

Participate in a peer review of lesson plans

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Enhance the quality of lesson plans by seeking feedback and engaging in constructive discussions with peers.

Browse courses on Lesson Planning

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Develop a draft lesson plan
Share the plan with peers and solicit feedback
Incorporate constructive feedback to refine the lesson plan

Develop a lesson plan incorporating technology

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Design a lesson plan that leverages technology to enhance student engagement and foster interactive learning experiences.

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Identify the learning objectives and target audience
Research and select appropriate technology tools and resources
Create a detailed lesson plan outlining the activities and assessments

Design a presentation on innovative music education approaches

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Synthesize knowledge gained throughout the course and showcase innovative ideas for music education, fostering critical thinking and effective communication.

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Research and identify innovative music education approaches
Develop a compelling presentation structure and visual aids
Practice delivering the presentation to receive feedback and refine content

Career center

Learners who complete The Place of Music in 21st Century Education will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Music Teacher

Students can expect to learn about how technology can help give their music lessons a modern twist through this course. The course will cover how music education looks like both with and without technology. The course will also discuss opportunities new technologies afford music education.

See salaries and explore the career path for Music Teacher

Arts Administrator

The course covers topics such as what students need from education now and in the future, how technology can be best used in teaching and learning, how innovative education approaches can be reconciled with established traditional ones, and what student-centered learning really means. This course would be of special interest to an Arts Administrator because it discusses contemporary issues in education in addition to the integration and use of digital technology.

See salaries and explore the career path for Arts Administrator

Curriculum and Instructional Designer

The course covers topics such as what students need from education now and in the future, how technology can be best used in teaching and learning, how innovative education approaches can be reconciled with established traditional ones, and what student-centered learning really means. This course would be useful for a Curriculum and Instructional Designer because of its focus on innovative education approaches.

See salaries and explore the career path for Curriculum and Instructional Designer

Education Consultant

The course covers topics such as what students need from education now and in the future, how technology can be best used in teaching and learning, how innovative education approaches can be reconciled with established traditional ones, and what student-centered learning really means. This course would be useful for an Education Consultant because of its focus on innovative education approaches and the integration of technology.

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Educational Researcher

The course covers topics such as what students need from education now and in the future, how technology can be best used in teaching and learning, how innovative education approaches can be reconciled with established traditional ones, and what student-centered learning really means. This course would be useful for an Educational Researcher because of its focus on innovative education approaches and the integration of technology.

See salaries and explore the career path for Educational Researcher

Music Professor

The course covers topics such as what students need from education now and in the future, how technology can be best used in teaching and learning, how innovative education approaches can be reconciled with established traditional ones, and what student-centered learning really means. This course would be of special interest to a Music Professor because it discusses contemporary issues in education in addition to the integration and use of digital technology.

See salaries and explore the career path for Music Professor

Instructional Coordinator

The course covers topics such as what students need from education now and in the future, how technology can be best used in teaching and learning, how innovative education approaches can be reconciled with established traditional ones, and what student-centered learning really means. This course would be useful for an Instructional Coordinator because of its focus on innovative education approaches and the integration of technology.

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School Principal

The course covers topics such as what students need from education now and in the future, how technology can be best used in teaching and learning, how innovative education approaches can be reconciled with established traditional ones, and what student-centered learning really means. This course would be useful for a School Principal because of its focus on innovative education approaches and the integration of technology.

See salaries and explore the career path for School Principal

Educational Consultant

The course covers topics such as what students need from education now and in the future, how technology can be best used in teaching and learning, how innovative education approaches can be reconciled with established traditional ones, and what student-centered learning really means. This course would be useful for an Educational Consultant because of its focus on innovative education approaches and the integration of technology.

See salaries and explore the career path for Educational Consultant

Higher Education Administrator

The course covers topics such as what students need from education now and in the future, how technology can be best used in teaching and learning, how innovative education approaches can be reconciled with established traditional ones, and what student-centered learning really means. This course would be useful for an Educational Consultant because of its focus on innovative education approaches and the integration of technology.

See salaries and explore the career path for Higher Education Administrator

Education Policy Analyst

The course covers topics such as what students need from education now and in the future, how technology can be best used in teaching and learning, how innovative education approaches can be reconciled with established traditional ones, and what student-centered learning really means. This course may be useful to an Education Policy Analyst because of its focus on innovative education approaches and the integration of technology.

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Music Therapist

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Musician

The course covers topics such as what children need from education now, and in the future, how technology is best used in teaching and learning, how innovative approaches to education can be reconciled with established, traditional ones, and what student-centred learning really means. This course may be useful to a Musician because of its focus on innovative education approaches and the integration and use of digital technology.

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Teacher

The course covers topics such as what children need from education now, and in the future, how technology is best used in teaching and learning, how innovative approaches to education can be reconciled with established, traditional ones, and what student-centred learning really means. This course may be useful to a Teacher because of its focus on innovative education approaches and the integration and use of digital technology.

See salaries and explore the career path for Teacher

Educational Software Developer

The course covers topics such as what children need from education now, and in the future, how technology is best used in teaching and learning, how innovative approaches to education can be reconciled with established, traditional ones, and what student-centred learning really means. This course may be useful to an Educational Software Developer because of its focus on innovative education approaches and the integration and use of digital technology.

See salaries and explore the career path for Educational Software Developer