Strategies and Implementation: Electronic Learning for Choral Ensembles



      This overview stems from "real life" experience and reflection over the past six years in using electronic learning with choral ensembles at the university level, and from working with choral directors and public school teachers/students around the country on how to implement electronic learning in their specific contexts. Feel free to borrow anything here that appeals to you. I am also interested in hearing from you about what you are doing with electronic learning in choral contexts. How this overview came to be online.

      James F. Daugherty, Ph.D.
      University of Kansas
      Division of Music Education & Music Therapy
      email: jdaugher@ukans.edu
      http://falcon.cc.ukans.edu/~jdaugher


      I. INTRODUCTION

      One might think this presentation is "about" technology. That is not the case. It actually has to do with the feasibility of new (or re-newed) ways of structuring choral music rehearsals, including the possible roles of students/singers and teachers/conductors within those frameworks. At heart, this exploration is "about" learning, teaching, reflective practice and music-making.

      Value decisions: You get to decide.

      Some background data: Statistics on internet access/use.

      For further reading/reflection:

      Daugherty, J.F. (1999). Online enhancement of choral music instruction. Proceedings of the Sixth International Technological Directions in Music Learning Conference. San Antonio, TX: IMR Press.

      Daugherty, J.F. and Daugherty, A.M. (2000). The smartChoir module: A prototype for teaching teachers to develop online instruction/rehearsal enhancement using the National Standards for Music Education. Proceedings of the Seventh International Technological Directions in Music Learning Conference. San Antonio, TX: IMR Press.

      Daugherty, J.F., Daugherty, A.M., et al (2002, April). Collaborative use of technology for music learning: Blurring the student-teacher dichotomy. Invited session at the National Biennial Conference of the National Association for Music Education-MENC, Nashville, TN

      Bowers, J.K., Daugherty, J.F., Chase, S.M. (2002, April). Investigating student attitudes and achievement toward diction and score marking of choral music with online computer modules. Research poster presentation, National Biennial Conference of the National Association for Music Education-MENC, Nashville, TN


      II. STRATEGIES: A GUIDED TOUR WITH EXAMPLES

      Value Assumption: Rehearsal time (synchronous time) is best spent rehearsing. Electronic learning (which is largely asynchronous time) can prepare for, enhance, and expand group rehearsal time.

      1. Where It All Comes Together: Example of a
      Choir Homepage with online learning modules, score markings, rehearsal and performance evaluation, diction practice, resource links for sightsinging, vocal health, diction, music theory, music history and culture, and opportunities for individual research.

      2. Score Marking

        Textual
        Graphic


      3. Hearing

        The composition as a whole

        Part learning:
        Particular voice emphasized
        Particular voice omitted


      4. Diction Practice

        Phrases
        Words
        2. Example of an Online Choir Module. This particular example incorporates score marking, diction practice, improvisation, rehearsal evaluation, artistic/cultural/historical context, addressing Standards 1, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9.

        3. Example of a Rehearsal Evaluation webform.

        4. Example of a Submitted Rehearsal Evaluation webform.

        5. Example of a Chorister Electronic Portfolio.

        6. Examples of student projects on aspects of vocal production and voice care:
          *Correct Singing Posture
          *Vocal Health

        7. Examples of audio files in web forms:
          *For reference in Part Learning
          *For Evaluation/Discrimination

        8. Relating specific pieces of choral literature to the National Standards. Examples of choirOnline modules created using smartChoir:

          Now is the Month of Maying - Thomas Morley
          *Introduction to 16th century Choral Compositional Techniques (Standards 6,7)
          *Late Renaissance Singing Style (Standards 1, 9)
          *Renaissance Madrigal Characteristics (Standards 6, 9)

          The Storm Is Passing Over -Tindley, arr. Baker
          *Online Articulation Workshop (Standard 5)
          *History and Context of Gospel Music (Standards 8, 9)
          *Improvisation (Standards 3,4,5,7)

          Shut de Do' - arr. Randy Stonehill
          * Practicing Rhythms and Improvisation (Standards 2, 3, 9)

          Candlelight Carol -John Rutter
          * Applying Music Theory Skills to Score Analysis (Standards 5, 6)

          Do Re Mi - Richard Rodgers
          *Curwen Hand Signs (Standards 1, 3, 5)

        9. Examples of Synchronous and Asynchronous possibilities:

        10. Ideas for Church Choirs

        III. RESOURCES


        IV. SUMMARY AND CONCLUDING THOUGHTS
          Implementation

          Copyright issues:

              Fair Use Guildelines for Educational Multimedia
              Copyright Bay
              Acceptable Use Policies