It is a common practice for private teachers to have their students record their lessons. This technology allows us to go back and see something that we did a few days ago or even a few years ago and reflect on it. I am able to go back to a song I performed when I was 18 and can compare the differences with the click of a button. I can go to my "lessons" folder and find the lesson I had a few weeks ago to recall a new technique or to try a warm-up that I forgot about.
I believe that, through recording or filming your lessons, you are creating a larger window for success and improvement on your instrument. While I do not believe that people should be reliant on technology, I definitely think that it has its benefits. This method of learning is similar to recording your lectures on your phone or listening to podcasts. You are still learning in the moment, and you are still immersed in the learning process, but you are given the opportunity to learn and re-learn, and from there you are able to improve and ultimately succeed.
I completely agree with you on this matter. I think it can be so beneficial to record you lesson. I have also done this for years, and I am so glad to hear I'm not alone.
ReplyDeleteBut what are your thoughts on video recording? Do you think it would be just as beneficial?
I think this is a great idea, not only for performers but for everyday teachers as well. If we record our lessons in the classroom, we can then go back and listen and reflect on what we just taught. Reflection is a very important part when it comes to lessons. It is important for us to be able to detect what went wrong and improve on it. As teachers, especially novice teachers, we are not going to be perfect and so recording our lessons can give us a chance to learn from our mistakes and grow. Teaching is also learning, and as we can learn from our students we can learn from ourselves as well.
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ReplyDeleteI'd say any kind of recording is helpful. especially video recording since it can show fingering, posture just the overall physical aspect of performances. I know music is an aural art and normal recording is definitely great for self reflection but performing is when musicians get to shine and that is not a purely an aural activity. It is important to practice like one is performing and perform like one is practices.
ReplyDeleteStefani,
ReplyDeleteSince I am not familiar with music education or the technology that comes with it, I thought this was really interesting you had to record yourself so much during your classes. I would have thought the same thing that it was a waste of time to have to record yourself so much. Now that you explained that it has helped you reflect on yourself I can see how this can be a successful teaching strategy. I was glad to read this post considering I am so unfamiliar with music education and certain teaching strategies that come with teaching music.