Informal Learning

This reflection of informal learning and integration of popular music in public schools is based off of the studies of Lucy Green and Jesse Rathgeber.  The pedagogical applications of these ideas of informal learning will be discussed in the reflection below. 

Rathgeber, J. (2017). A place in the band: Negotiating barriers to inclusion in a rock band setting. In G. D. Smith, M. Brennan, P. Kirkman, Z. Moir, & S. Sambarran (Eds.), Routledge Research Companion to Popular Music Education (pp. 369-381). London, UK: Routledge.

UCL Institute of Education (IOE) (2011, November 11). What can teachers learn from popular musicians? | UCL Institute of Education. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4r8zoHT4ExY  

Lucy Green's principles of informal learning are explicitly student centered.  This is shown through Dr. Green's pedagogical approach which she lists in 5 areas.  1: Students learn by choosing their own music (music they enjoy and identify with), 2: Learn by playing by ear, 3: Students work by themselves and with friends, 4: Student learning is idiosyncratic, individual, and haphazard (no specific chronological steps, no help from teachers or professionals), 5. All processes of learning by ear, composing, performing, and improvising happen throughout the process of creating music.  It is important in the beginning to allow students to explore on their own while teachers step back.  Some of the pedagogical applications in high school band could include, one of the techniques carried out by the Eastman Wind Ensemble.  One of the workshops carried out was to perform a piece without any formal director or conductor.  Players in the ensemble have to work together to work out cues, dynamics, shaping, and phrasing, all without anyone becoming the center focal point.  Another application of this specific popular music idea is to allow students to create small ensembles in the beginning or end of the year (not near assessment season) and allow them to create their own arrangements while providing them with the 5 key concept areas Green presents.  I'm interested to know of ways to help recenter a classroom that may turn chaotic with many groups rehearsing, and how to deal with that.  I also would like to know how to incorporate popular music in ways other than just large ensemble projects or group activities. 

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Is Is Informal Learning?

Edutopia (2017, April 6). Thinking studio: Supporting self-directed learning [video post].
-Thinkering Studio- The Thinkering Studio is an elective class that students can apply to take as part of their curriculum.  This class allows students to study and complete projects on anything they are interested in.  The mission of the Thinkering Studio is to prepare the kids to be lifelong learners.  When they come up with a project they have to submit the stats.  
Challenge- what is the overall challenge
Learning Goal- what do you expect to learn  
Evaluation- how to evaluate the success of the project,
Resources- who/where to go to for help 

Teachers help facilitate problem solving skills rather than just giving the answer. 
After completing their individual projects they complete a reflection which is about what didn't go well in the project and how they could fix it.  
One of the problem solving skills that the students indirectly are learning are to reach out to other peers for help.  They help record each other, help guide people through unfamiliar technology, and many other ways. Students are SELF DIRECTED LEARNERS.  This type of learning is close to the middle but leaning more towards the informal side of learning.  I believe this because while students have complete opportunity to pick their own topics and projects, they still have to fill out formal reflections and templates set by the teacher.  
Little Kids Rock. (2017, Feb 2). What is “Modern Band” 2016 [video post].
This video explores what we consider to be a modern band and what place the modern band has in our educational system.  While people may argue that the modern band has such a wide variety of genres, this video points out that genres are usually based off of instrumentation.  For example, Beethoven is very very different from Chopin but they are both considered classical in terms of genres.  The same goes for the modern band.  You may have rock, hip hop, pop, and rap, but the instrumentation is pretty consistent; guitar, drums, keyboard, vocals, and computer.  Little Kids Rock is pushing to include modern band classes in addition to the classical wind band classes in public schools.  I believe this learning is more formal than informal.  This is because while students are able to access more common instruments that they might hear in popular music, the way of teaching is still very formal, learn this note, then the next, so on and so forth.  

wwozneworleans. (2016, June 23). Congo square drum circle [video post].
In this video, many people have come together on sacred grounds to dance, celebrate, and make music.  One of the most amazing things to me was watching people from different cultural and geographical backgrounds come together and make music.  People jump in and out saying lyrics, playing drums, and dancing all in celebration. I believe this music making is completely informal.  While some drum patterns may have been taught in the past, they are being passed around audible and visually as opposed to one on one.  Also there are no limits for joining and no formal instructor/director.