3.4 Informal learning in the classroom
In the video that forms the core of the next activity, Professor Lucy Green of the Institute of Education in London talks about how her interest in informal learning in music developed from an investigation she did into how popular musicians learn.
Early on in the video, Green identifies five practices of informal learning. She then goes on to describe examples of how informal learning practices have been implemented into classroom music.
Activity 9
Allow about 30 minutes
Watch the video and note down in what ways Green suggests that being involved in informal learning changes the way in which children listen to music at home in a very significant way.
- What do you think are the implications of this for the way in which you might teach popular music?
- What assumptions about the way in which children listen to music might you have to rethink?
- At approximately 4’40” on the video, Green talks about Musical Futures being pedagogy, not a method. What, for you, is the distinction between these two terms?
- What changes to the role and responsibility of the teachers does Green suggest are implicit in the informal learning approaches? What are the implications of this for how music is taught in the secondary classroom?
Activity 10
Allow about 30 minutes
Speak with one of your pupils and try to identify examples of their learning from all three of these contexts: formal, non-formal and informal. Ask them which they find most valuable and enjoyable.
What influence of the other two areas can you see on their musical learning within the area in which you work?
OpenLearn - Teaching secondary music
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