Composition, Technology, and the K-12 Student
The study of composition is fundamental to understanding the expressive qualities of music. It provides an ideal framework for exploration and experimentation with the basic materials of music. The National Association for Music Education (NAfME) recognizes the role of creativity and the importance of composition by including composing and arranging as one of the nine National Standards for Music Education (Standard #4). Collaborative and creative music composition can be facilitated in the classroom using music production and notation software. This course focuses on ideas and concepts for individual and group composition projects in the PK-12 music classroom, as well as teaching and assessment strategies. Students explore DAW, notation, and instructional software, as well as myriad online resources, to create age-appropriate composition activities. In addition, special emphasis will be placed on how other media elements, such as text, graphics, audio, and video, as well as web-based tools, can enhance the music composition process for PK-12 students.