ENGAGING LEARNERS ACTIVE PARTICIPATION IN LEARNING MUSIC

GILBERT S. GUNGON

The teachers’behavior and general disposition in establishing a social environment conducive to learning is of great importance. But it has to be noted that, no matter how established the social environment for learning may be, the full advantage for learning will still be limited if the teacher fall short of the most appropriate teaching strategy for a particular teaching and learning activity.

Engaging learners in the learning process increases their attention and focus, motivates them to practice higher-level critical thinking skills and promotes meaningful learning experiences. Instructors who adopt a student-centered approach to instruction increase opportunities for student engagement, which then helps everyone more successfully achieve the course’s learning objectives. Active learning requires students to participate in class, as opposed to sitting and listening quietly. Strategies include, but are not limited to, brief questionand-answer sessions, discussion integrated into the lecture, impromptu writing assignments, hands-on activities and experiential learning events.

Learning music facilitates learning other subjects and enhances skills that students inevitably use in other areas. A music-rich experience for children of singing, listening and moving is really bringing a very serious benefit to students as they progress into more formal learning. Musical training physically develops the part of the left side of the brain known to be involved with processing language, and can actually wire the brain’s circuits in specific ways. Linking familiar songs to new information can also help imprint information on the mind. Musical experience strengthens the capacity to be verbally competent. — oOo— The author is Teacher I at Betis High School