Recorder Webquest: Teacher

 

Music Standards:

2- Performing on Instruments
3- Improvise
4- Compose
6- Listen, analyze, describe music
7- Evaluate music and music performances
9- Understanding music in relation to history and culture

Grade Level:

4-6

Alternative grade level:

Middle school

Estimated time:

Several class periods or throughout a recorder unit

Equipment:

Computer with Internet access, adequate modem speed, and sufficient computer memory for downloading audio files
Browser configured for use of plug-in that will play audio files (Quicktime and RealPlayer work for PC and Macintosh; Quicktime will play MP3 files)
Headphones if necessary, and ability for partners to hear (such as Y adapters to allow two headphones)
Optional Printer hook-up for downloading task directions, notes

Purpose:

The Recorder Webquest is designed to provide the context of real-world tasks through small group collaboration. The intention is to help students connect to the historical background of the recorder beyond the sometimes common perception of the recorder as a child's instrument. Secondly, the Webquest is designed to be compatible with learning to play the recorder in order to give more depth to a recorder unit. The suggested projects were chosen with consideration for what occurs in the real world of musicians. Websites were chosen for their contributions to musical understanding,but in a musical way rather than through factual or textual information only. The overall goals of the Webquest are to encourage musical learning through performing music, creating music, or listening to music.

For music rooms that don't have online access, or have access through only one computer, the activity might be adapted in one of the following ways:

  1. Divide up portions of Meet the Recorder for students to pursue via Internet at home, in classrooms, or in the library. The class could plan a group project based on the given choices. However, the activity is intended as one in which students have major responsibility for the information and format of a culumination project. In this way, students are able to make more connections with the new information, hopefully in a way that is relevant to them in order to promote long-term learning. This is a different focus than having teachers present information that students are expected to understand and remember.

  2. Make arrangements to visit the school computer lab as a class. Organize students ahead of time to work in pairs, and on specific sections of Meet the Recorder. After going through the activity, organize one of the suggested projects as a class. Students might do any needed follow-up at home, in their classroom, or in the library.

Student Rating Form:

The student rating form is intended to provide metacognitive (self-awareness) support to help students be aware of how a website might contribute to musical learning. This includes site design, multimedia elements, meeting the music standards, and learning modalities (aural, visual, kinesthetic). TA second goal is to encourage awareness of musical behaviors through performing, creating, or listening to music.

Assessment:

Required criteria are included
  • Music of different time periods; information that informs the audience about the music and the time.
  • Live recorder music
  • Recorder composition or improvisation
  • Recorder (or flute) music of other cultures with comparisons to the recorder.
Presentation is organized and rehearsed
All group members contribute to the presentation
Presentation has enough variety to keep audience interested
Specific recorder skills (to be added by the teacher)
Specific composing skills (to be added by the teacher)
 
4= Outstanding presentation (Only 1 or 2 problems, model example)
3= Satisfactory presentation (A few problems, but progress made)
2= In Progress ( Time or work still needed)
1= Needs Work (Much practice needed)

Additional Resources:

Building Blocks of a Webquest

Design Document for this Webquest describing key decisions, hardships, highlights of designing this activity

Glossary of basic Internet terms.

Plug-ins-information about the use of plug-ins for playing Internet audio files.

National Music Standards

The Recorder Home Page by Nicholas Lander, very comprehensive, scholarly resource.

Evaluating Content Validity on the Internet

Teacher Lesson Plans for using technology in music.

References:

Bransford, J. D., Brown, A. L., & Cocking, R. R. (Eds.). (2000). How People Learn (Expanded ed.). Washington D.C.: National Academy Press.

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