Becoming a Better Music Teacher

Course Overview

Skills and Knowledge:
- Understanding of teaching and learning principles
- Development of a personal teaching philosophy
- Knowledge of essential musical skills and their interdependence
- Evaluation of own instrumental technique and teaching technique
- Understanding of sources of motivation and their relation to progress
- Knowledge of assessment and its role in the progression process
- Evaluation of own teaching practise in light of professional values and practises
- Ability to create individual learning plans for students
- Engagement with other teachers and professional development discussions.

Professional Growth:
This course, "Becoming a Better Music Teacher," contributes to professional growth in several ways:
1. Reflection and evaluation: The course prompts participants to consider and evaluate their teaching journey thus far. This reflection allows music teachers to identify areas of strength and areas for improvement, leading to professional growth.
2. Learning principles: Participants learn about a variety of teaching and learning principles. By understanding different approaches and techniques, music teachers can expand their repertoire of teaching strategies and adapt their methods to better meet the needs of their students.
3. Developing a teaching philosophy: The course encourages participants to compare and contrast teaching and learning principles before developing their own teaching philosophy. This process helps music teachers clarify their beliefs and values about teaching, which can guide their decision-making and instructional practices.
4. Essential musical skills: Participants learn to determine the essential musical skills that must be taught, considering their interdependence. This understanding allows music teachers to prioritize and structure their lessons effectively, ensuring that students develop a strong foundation in music.
5. Technique evaluation: The course prompts participants to evaluate their own instrumental technique and how they teach technique to their students. By critically assessing their own skills and teaching methods, music teachers can identify areas for improvement and refine their instructional approach.
6. Motivation and progress: Participants investigate the sources of motivation and how they relate to progress. Understanding what motivates students can help music teachers create engaging and meaningful learning experiences, fostering student growth and achievement.
7. Assessment: The course emphasizes the role of assessment in the progression process. Music teachers learn how to effectively assess student learning and progress, allowing them to provide targeted feedback and support to help students improve.
8. Professional values and practices: Participants evaluate their own teaching practice in light of professional values and practices. This self-reflection helps music teachers align their instructional approach with ethical and professional standards, promoting continuous improvement and growth.
9. Individual learning plans: Participants learn to create a broad, individual learning plan for students that includes short-term goals. This skill enables music teachers to tailor their instruction to meet the unique needs and aspirations of each student, fostering their growth and development.
10. Professional development: The course encourages participants to engage with other teachers and contribute to professional development discussions. By collaborating with peers, music teachers can share ideas, learn from each other's experiences, and stay updated on current trends and best practices in music education. This ongoing professional development contributes to their growth as music teachers.

Further Education:
This course titled "Becoming a Better Music Teacher" is suitable for preparing further education. The course covers various aspects of teaching and learning principles, developing a teaching philosophy, evaluating instrumental technique, understanding motivation and assessment, and engaging with other teachers for professional development. These topics are relevant and important for anyone looking to further their education in music teaching.