Allsup Chapter 3 Reflection

1.) Allsup discusses the importance of music instructors making the most of every second in the class. The challenge is maximizing the amount of instruction in rehearsal, but not doing too much to overwhelm the students. When I attended practicum at Northfork Middle School for my MUED 307 class, I noticed that the instructor of the string program did a good job at maximizing the hour of class time to get through all of the material. However, I really liked how the instructor didn't rush through learning objectives and made sure all students were able to understand and grasp the topics. While it is important to challenge the students to continuously learn more, It is imperative to not overwhelm the student with information so that they can have a solid understanding. 

2.) An aspect of my personal philosophy as a music educator is to facilitate an inclusive learning environment that recognizes many backgrounds and ways of thinking. As a music educator I believe that it is important to expose my students to material of various cultures. I also think it is important to be constantly learning as an educator and to collaborate with colleagues in other areas of expertise so that students will get a well-rounded music education. When students are able to receive a well rounded music education it can help encourage longterm appreciation and learning. 

3.) Allsup explains the concept of Dewey's ideal school by stating that, "The institution called "school" is a physical place of inherent contradiction and tension, a location that serves society through the preservation of past accomplishments and agreed-on cultural standards, as well as though the expectation of new discoveries and reimagined practice." (Allsup page 122) Dewey also explains how the past accomplishments and "new hopes and problems" help to shape an individual. The constructivist theory of pedagogy is one that takes into consideration the past experiences of students to help determine how to facilitate the students academic growth in the future. Although according to Allsup, Dewey never explicitly identified his theories as constructivist. 

​4.) I agree with Allsup's ideas of incorporating improvisation in the music classroom. He states that "it (improvisation) is about finding something out as much as expressing something learned." (Allsup page 128) I agree with Allsup that it is easy for teachers to primarily teach music with diction and to rely on musical notation. However, I think there is value in students in the music classroom being able to develop independent thinking skills and exploring their creativity. I personally prefer the orientation of the classroom to have a student orientation rather than a teacher orientation with as Allsup states, "a lot of rights and wrongs and lots of step-by-step instruction."