A Reflective Lens: Music Pedagogical Research to Transform Practice | Page 122

Benefits of Informal Learning Pedagogy and Popular Music with Normal Technical Students:
Self-Directed Learning through the Use of Technology

Wk Syllabus Learning
Outcomes / Objectives

Teaching Strategies / Suggested Activities / Resources

4-9

Teaching Strategies (Formal and Informal):
1. Students are reminded to play Ode to Joy well before
they can move on to chosen piece.
2. Encourage Students to play Ode to Joy well by giving
them some tips. Live demonstration to certain groups
could be considered.
3. Monitor the rest of the class who are already practising
their choice songs.
4. Regular checks and observations on their progress.
Resources:
• Keyboards / Laptops / Earphones

Sing / Play Melodic and
Rhythmic Instruments Individually and In Groups
• Play a tuned instrument:
Keyboard – C position
notes
• Play Popular music in
pair (RH / LH)
• Synthesise playing
between the two or
three students
Develop Understanding of
Music Elements / Concepts
• Understand and
distinguish various
valued notes in a piece
of music
• Model selected rhythms
presented in a song

10

Presentation Day
Present with confidence a chosen song in friendship group.
Students to be assessed using a set of rubrics.

Table 3: Teaching Plan for Sec 1NT

The students were given as much room as possible to
explore the music that they enjoyed, with the teachers
only facilitating their search for materials and managing
misbehaviour. However, as things progressed, it was
observed that the students required more help and thus,
mini-milestones were instead given to them before they
embarked on their song selection. This was in the form of
an informal assessment of the students playing the song
Ode to Joy. This song was selected as the set piece as it
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