Job Discussion Forums

moonraven · Joined: 24 Mar 2004 Posts: 3094

Maybe if they are brand new teachers, you might well be right, Glenski.

If they are experienced teachers, there is no excuse for an activity that bombs. Especially if their classrooms are student-centered.

Expectations, I repeat, play an enormous part in outcomes.

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

Zero Hero · Joined: 20 Mar 2005 Posts: 944

Teacher in Rome · Joined: 09 Jul 2003 Posts: 1286

I don't feel comfortable using songs in the classroom. I agree with those posters that say that they are useful and that they can appeal to an emotional part of learning, but I have personal reservations.

Firstly, playing songs feels to me as if I'm holding up my emotional side for approval or criticism. Songs are intensely personal and emotional to me, and if I played one in class that I liked, but that the students didn't, it would be incredibly disappointing. I'd feel crushed, almost.

Secondly, you're going to need to play songs at least twice. If students don't like the song, that's an awful lot of time in class that they're going to have to sit there with clenched teeth.

And finally, there is no way we could all sing a song together. It would remind me too much of over-jolly primary-school teachers. I mainly teach business people - I just could not see that one being a happy experience.

By the way, I do realise that there's a lot of "me" and "I feel" in this post. But if I don't feel comfortable with an activity in class, then I can't give it the enthusiasm necessary to make it work.

dyak · Joined: 25 Jun 2003 Posts: 630

Zero Hero · Joined: 20 Mar 2005 Posts: 944

Good points, 'Teacher in Rome'. Also, use of songs typically presupposes comprehension.

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

dyak wrote:

dyak · Joined: 25 Jun 2003 Posts: 630

Well, when I think about lessons that bombed, I went into the class thinking, this might bomb because... and it did. I expected it and (mentally) allowed it to happen. When you walk in with that magic, 'this lesson is watertight' feeling, there's no way you can allow that to happen, mentally or otherwise. If you believe, they believe but if you doubt, they doubt.

moonraven · Joined: 24 Mar 2004 Posts: 3094

Yes, dyak, that was exactly my point. Expectations frame results.

And I have read enough just on this forum to know that many teachers--especially those with little or no experience--limp into the classroom after already having shot themselves in the foot.

If your classes are student-centered, you are merely "channeling" student needs and responding to them with appropriate material--and it doesn't matter one whit whether YOU like the song, or the reading or the movie.

It's not about YOU, and the classroom should not be a place for you to bare your soul or agonize over your own musical preferences. That kind of egocentricity deprives your students--who are PAYING for an environment in which they can learn what they perceive that they need to learn--of what they are in the classroom to do.

It is also decidedly unprofessional.

(Just as many folks go into psychology as a way to deny that they have psychological problems that should be addressed, many folks go into teaching as a way to deny that they have learning needs that should be attended.)

Teacher in Rome · Joined: 09 Jul 2003 Posts: 1286

moonraven · Joined: 24 Mar 2004 Posts: 3094

Maybe you could figure out why presenting songs addressing student needs would not be comfortable for you?

Teacher in Rome · Joined: 09 Jul 2003 Posts: 1286

dyak · Joined: 25 Jun 2003 Posts: 630

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN