Using A Flipped Classroom to Empower Music Students

REPUBLISHED FROM OUR FRIENDS AT IN TUNE MAGAZINE

Practicing Musician’s “Modern Teaching Best Practices” column for In Tune magazine is now available! You can read a copy below or view the whole magazine by visiting https://intune22te.digital/.

WHAT IS A FLIPPED CLASSROOM?

A flipped classroom is a pedagogical approach in which content traditionally delivered through face-to-face teaching and learning activities such as lectures and skill demonstrations are provided outside of the classroom. Students learn by viewing tutorials at home then come to class ready to play and receive feedback. This allows you to focus on individual students during class time. The goal is for students to become self-sufficient learners who can work out difficult problems on their own and can then derive greater benefit when spending time with an instructor.

WHY FLIP THE CLASSROOM?

1. Increase student engagement and motivation due to the autonomy you give them
2. Decrease classroom management issues since students are actively engaged for a greater portion of the class
3. Improve performance due to your feedback during class time
4. Foster a sense of community among students with similar interests or goals

TIPS TO HELP YOU FLIP YOUR CLASSROOM

Assign homework that provides video tutorials, sheet music, and assignments from free platforms such as Practicing Musician. Provide students class time to perform and receive feedback on the material covered in the video tutorials they watched at home. Ask questions at the start of each class so you can see whether your students understand the new concepts they’ve learned at home. In addition to what all students are learning and practicing as an ensemble, structure your course according to each individual students’ specific needs and goals.