This course is part of the Music Education for Teachers Specialization

4.7
stars
81 ratings

Krystal Banfield +1 more instructor

5,924 already enrolled

Offered By

Music Education for Teachers SpecializationBerklee

About this Course

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Teaching Popular Music in the Classroom explores approaches to teaching popular music from culturally rich communities in the United States. Students in the course will learn teaching methods that engage youth with the basics of improvisation, technology, songwriting, arranging film score, and writing to the strengths of small bands. The course models how to integrate principles of authentic cultural relevance and positive youth development with contemporary music instruction, while providing tools for assessing and documenting learning and program progress.  
Students in the course will refine their own pedagogical skills, applying principles of contemporary music instruction. Content and approaches are intended for secondary music programs, but can be adapted for elementary grade levels. All lessons are based in core standards for music education with recommendations for assessments.

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Shareable Certificate

Earn a Certificate upon completion

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Coursera Labs

Includes hands on learning projects.

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Course 1 of 4 in the

Music Education for Teachers Specialization

Intermediate Level

Approx. 8 hours to complete

English

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What you will learn

Employ techniques that teach improvisation in blues and jazz music
Employ approaches that teach youth the basic principles of songwriting
Engage in the use of social cultural contexts in all aspects of instruction
Explore multiple uses of technologies for music making

Skills you will gain

Music
classroom management
Curriculum Design
Teaching
Learning

Flexible deadlines

Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.

Shareable Certificate

Earn a Certificate upon completion

100% online

Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.

Coursera Labs

Includes hands on learning projects.

Learn more about Coursera Labs

Course 1 of 4 in the

Music Education for Teachers Specialization

Intermediate Level

Approx. 8 hours to complete

English

Could your company benefit from training employees on in-demand skills?

Try Coursera for Business

Instructors

Instructor rating

4.93/5 (34 Ratings)

Krystal Banfield

Vice President for Education Outreach

Social Entrepreneurship

5,924 Learners

1 Course

David Alexis

Assistant Professor

Harmony

5,924 Learners

1 Course

Offered by

Berklee

Established in 1945, Berklee is at the forefront of contemporary music education, bringing its award-winning curriculum to more than 3.5 million students around the world. Currently comprising Berklee College of Music, Berklee Online, Boston Conservatory at Berklee, Berklee NYC, Berklee Summer Programs, and more, Berklee is shaping the key players of tomorrow’s music industry. With innovative programs in performance, production, business, theater, dance, and more, students come away from their Berklee experience with a professional portfolio, practical job skills, and a strong sense of community.

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Syllabus - What you will learn from this course

Week1

Week 1

2 hours to complete

Welcome to Teaching Popular Music!

2 hours to complete

1 video (Total 1 min), 4 readings, 2 quizzes

2 hours to complete

Conversations Through Sound: Improvisation, Listening, and Cultural Contexts

2 hours to complete

8 videos (Total 43 min), 3 readings, 2 quizzes

8 videos

What You'll Learn in Lesson 11mIntroduction to Improvisation7mTuning the Ears6mModeling Conversations Through Sound12mCultural Contexts4mCultural Contexts Continued3mSelect and Interpret4mLaunching Your Web-based Tool Box2m

3 readings

Student Ensemble Disclaimer10mJoin Your Study Group10mHow to Launch Your Web-Based Tool-Box10m

2 practice exercises

Call and Response: Conversations Through Sound15mSELF-ASSESSMENT: Lesson 1 Tool-Box

Week2

Week 2

1 hour to complete

Songwriting

1 hour to complete

6 videos (Total 25 min), 1 reading, 2 quizzes

Week3

Week 3

1 hour to complete

Arranging Music with Interactive Media Tools

1 hour to complete

5 videos (Total 14 min), 1 reading, 2 quizzes

Week4

Week 4

3 hours to complete

Making the Band: From Modeling to Informal Learning

3 hours to complete

10 videos (Total 63 min), 1 reading, 3 quizzes

10 videos

What You'll Learn in Lesson 41mEstablishing Small Ensembles8mInstructional Approaches6mInformal Learning Practices7mModeling Instructional Approaches11mModeling Instructional Approaches Continued17mSocial Emotional Learning3mSuggested Objectives and Student Assessments3mFinal Project Overview2mCourse Wrap-Up38s

1 reading

Join Your Study Group10m

2 practice exercises

Making the Band15mOur Common Language15m

Reviews

4.7

33 reviews

5 stars
75.90%
4 stars
15.66%
3 stars
4.81%
2 stars
2.40%
1 star
1.20%

TOP REVIEWS FROM TEACHING POPULAR MUSIC IN THE CLASSROOM

by MMJan 7, 2021

we should have one on one vedio lessons with the tutors inorder to achieve even better learning process and also guidance.

by RRMay 16, 2021

A well-thought-out course that dwells into the formalization of the music education ecosystem with assessments, technology, and lesson objectives.

by YCJan 24, 2022

Very helpful for me as a music teacher who teach in a large number of studetns's class. An definitely upgrade!

by GMMar 11, 2023

This is a great course for any performing musician looking to get into the classroom.

View all reviews

About the Music Education for Teachers Specialization

In the Music Education for Teachers specialization, you will explore ways of integrating popular music into your teaching. You'll begin by learning from two highly experienced teachers, Krystal Banfield, the Vice President of Educational Outreach for Berklee College of Music, and David Alexis a Berklee Professor and long-time instructor for the Berklee City Music Program. They will take you through their process of incorporating popular music, improvisation, arranging, and music technology into the classroom while still fulfilling the common core learning standards.

You'll continue with a deeper dive into these topics that will help you build your popular music curriculum. In Jazz Improvisation taught by Grammy-winning Gary Burton, you'll learn how to use improvisation as language and story-telling. You'll also learn how to use a variety of chord scales, modes, and improv techniques. Next, in Arranging for Songwriters taught by renown Berklee faculty Bonnie Hayes and Sarah Brindell, you'll learn how to create arrangements of songs. Finally, in The Art of Music Production, taught by producer Stephen Webber, you'll learn how to begin to record music in a meaningful, yet approachable way. This specialization will give you the tools you'll need to develop effective, relevant, and compelling lessons for your classroom, online learning space, or private lesson instruction.

Frequently Asked Questions

When will I have access to the lectures and assignments?
Access to lectures and assignments depends on your type of enrollment. If you take a course in audit mode, you will be able to see most course materials for free. To access graded assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience, during or after your audit. If you don't see the audit option:
The course may not offer an audit option. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid.
The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.
What will I get if I subscribe to this Specialization?
When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. Your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile. If you only want to read and view the course content, you can audit the course for free.
Is financial aid available?
Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.

More questions? Visit the Learner Help Center.

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Teaching Popular Music in the Classroom

About this Course

What you will learn

Skills you will gain