MUSIC 23241
March 1, 2011
Enhanced Assessment
A main point that Burrack makes is that music educators can't assess students based solely on attendance and technical skills, they need to start using thinking skills. Burrack then discusses different forms of assessment such as student self-assessment and large-group assessment. He then discusses how to fit assessments into grading and he talks about student reactions to assessments and how they can help students improve.
In high school, my teacher would always play recordings for the class without telling us who the ensemble singing was and then she would ask us to make little notes about what we hear. After the song would end, my teacher would ask what we heard and what we think the ensemble could do better. Finally after we would give our opinions and observations, she would tell us if it was another ensemble or if it was a recording of us. I felt that this was a really effective way of improving the ensemble and working on listening skills.
I definitely agree with the above statement that music teachers can't successfully assess their students based on attendance and technical skills. It takes much more than just showing up on time and being able to do the basic skills to be a great musician and students should know this. Student self-evaluation is also a good way to have students understand how to do things right and improve without private lessons with someone telling you exactly what you are doing wrong. It can also improve listening and analyzing skills which is crucial to becoming a great musician.
Burrack, Frederick. (2002). Enhanced assessment in instrumental programs. Music Educators Journal, 27-32.
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