Task:

You have been tasked to write an opinion piece for the education magazine “Studio Teacher’s Digest” about best practice for a studio music teacher. To do so, you must interview a studio music teacher in your community (or online) to understand their perspective on a range of music teaching issues. With this information, you must write an opinion piece that demonstrates your understanding, beliefs and ability to incorporate different perspectives relating to studio music teaching.

Students will be provided with an interview guide with set questions to use during the interview on the moodle assessment page.

Process and presentation: 2500 words

• Organise and interview a studio teacher in your community.
• Record the interview.
• Analyse the interview recording. After the interview, review your notes and reflect on the teacher's opinions and views. Think about how they align or differ from your own opinions and views.
• Summarise the person's opinions. Write a brief summary of the teacher's opinions on the question areas discussed. Be sure to include quotes or key points from the interview to support your summary.

• Present your own opinions. After summarising the teacher's opinions, present your own opinions on the topic. Use evidence and arguments to support your views, and reflect on how your views align or differ from the teacher's views.

Submission:

You must upload:

• Word document (docx.)
• Recording of interview. (.mp3 or .mp4)

*Interviews MUST be one-to-one (i.e. in-person interviews or zoom/online) Video recording is preferred. In some instances participants may not wish to be filmed. If so, an audio recording will be accepted.

Assignment format:

· Use 12 point Times New Roman font for the body of the essay.

· 1.5 spacing throughout

· You may use sub-headings if you wish to organise your assignment in areas.

· Include in-text references (citations) throughout the assignment.

· Include a Reference List at the end of the assignment in APA style, 7th edition. (Minimum 6 references)

*The word count is considered from the first word of the introduction to the last word of the conclusion. It excludes the cover page, abstract, contents page, reference page and appendices. It includes in-text references and direct quotations

• Clearly describes teaching philosophies and how they can inform private music tutoring (10%)
• Discussion on the assessment of skill level and learning styles of students (5%)
• Describes approaches to planning and organising lessons (5%)
• Quality of discussion and argument relating to providing feedback to students (10%)
• Discussion on how to evaluate student progress (5%)
• Demonstrates a professional and proactive discussion to problem-solving and conflict resolution (10%)
• Discussion of how technology can support student learning and engagement (10%)
• Discusses strategies on how to communicate with parents or guardians about their child's progress (10%)
• Describes how to stay current and updated on teaching techniques and music industry developments (10%)
• Overall structure, grammar, spelling and presentation of opinion piece (12.5%)
• Evidence of wide reading & referencing system precision (12.5%)

Task:

You will articulate your knowledge and application of a specific teaching method and develop a series of lesson plans for a beginner student in your chosen area of focus in the one-to-one studio teaching environment.

Length: 2000 words

Prepare a portfolio of lesson plans suitable for a beginner student in their first year of study.

• You may focus on any instrument or voice, and any age group.
• State the teaching methodology chosen (Suzuki, Orff, Kodaly or Dalcroze).
• Give the intended age of the beginner student at the start of the assignment.

Possible scenarios:

• Learning the notes of an instrument
• Reading basic rhythms
• Teaching basic instrumental/vocal techniques
• Learning repertoire

This portfolio will consist of two parts:

Part 1: Five lesson plans

• Create five different lessons suitable for a beginner student in their first year of study using a chosen teaching methodology. (lesson duration 30 minutes)
• For each lesson, develop a template that articulates the lesson layout/schedule. (Examples found on moodle site)
• The lesson plans should articulate the lesson format. This may include activity titles, learning objectives, resources/materials, lesson outline information.
• Include any teaching resources/materials/activities as an Appendix.

Part 2: Written Justification

• For each lesson provide an explanation of the challenges that the student will face when learning the material/concepts and a discussion on how to meet those challenges.
• Justify the choice in material used in the lesson (exercises/concepts/musical pieces) in relation to the chosen methodology
• Give a justification for the methodology chosen in terms of the musical development of the student and their continued motivation as a music student and performer.
• To support your justification, you must refer to published books or journal articles on these topics. This will involve some direct quotations as well as information that you paraphrase into your own words. Always use in-text references and include these in your reference list.

Assignment format:

• Use 12 point Times New Roman font for the body of the essay.
• 1.5 spacing throughout
• You may use sub-headings if you wish to organise your assignment. These may be in a different colour or different size font.
• Include in-text references (citations) throughout the assignment.
• Include a Reference List at the end of the assignment in APA style, 7th edition.
• You should have a minimum of 10 references for this assignment
• Do NOT cite from Wikipedia or other websites that do not have an acknowledged author.
• Include in your reference list all music scores used, media, Youtube sources, as well as books, academic journal articles, and articles from Oxford Music Online.

Assessment Criteria

• Logical teaching plan that is appropriate for the age group and teaching scenario (10%)
• Pedagogical issues have been addressed using the chosen methodology (15%)
• Understanding and application of the chosen methodology (15%)
• Support materials provided clearly support the teaching plan (10%)
• Detailed analysis and justification of methods used to meet these challenges for each lesson of the portfolio (20%)
• Ability to write clearly and logically (15%)
• Correct spelling, grammar, punctuation and clear lay-out (5%)
• Correct use of APA style for the in-text referencing and reference list (10%)

Task:

Using free website development software (links provided on the Moodle site), create a website for a real or imaginary music teaching business that involves you as the centre of the business. 

Examples of music teaching businesses could be:

· Studio teaching business (face to face)

· Virtual studio business (online lessons)

Incorporation of all elements in the music teaching business website will include:

· Overview of the music teaching business

· Teaching philosophy/methodology

· Services provided

· Contact details

· Information on lesson prices/content purchasing

· Relevant policies

· Biography

· Photos & videos

· Other media

· The website is easy to navigate

· Accuracy of spelling and grammar

Submission Requirements:

Your assessment must be submitted as a Microsoft Word Document (.docx) and:

• Provide a link to access the website on the Word document
• Provide your name and student number on the Word Document.

· Appropriate overview of the music teaching business (12.5%)

· Evidence of teaching philosophy/methodology (10%)

· Appropriate contact details (2.5%)

· Appropriate information on lessons/products/services (15%)

· Clarity of relevant policies (20%)

· Inclusion of biography (2.5%)

· Appropriate photos & videos and other media (10%)

· The website is easy to navigate (10%)

· The website design is considered and appropriate (12.5%)

· Accuracy of spelling and grammar (5%)