In today’s digital learning landscape, music notation software for educators is transforming how students engage with music. Teachers need tools that foster creativity, collaboration, and accessibility, whether in the classroom or through remote learning.
One educator leading the way is Geoff Gould, a top 10 finalist for the Music Education Grammy Awards. By integrating Flat for Education into his teaching, Geoff has developed interactive, replicable lesson plans that bridge the gap between in-person and remote learning, making music education more engaging, inclusive, and adaptable.
Leveraging Flat for Education in Your Classroom
Students quickly apply what they learn
Geoff highlights the transformative impact of Flat for Education on his students, noting their enthusiasm and engagement:
"These are the most enthusiastic, excited, and happy students you will ever meet in your life. They want music in their lives every single day."
This enthusiasm is largely fuelled by the platform's ability to provide instant access and feedback, allowing students to immediately apply what they learn and receive real-time feedback. This rapid feedback loop enhances learning efficiency and helps deepen students' understanding of music composition.
Dynamic teaching environment
The platform's collaboration tools are vital for Geoff, allowing him to seamlessly interact with students on their compositions. This functionality enhances the cooperative environment within the classroom, which Geoff believes is essential for effective learning:
"Even with this new post-Covid World that we are living in, I can assign something for them sitting right here in my office and still have meaningful deep discussions about what we are creating together, student by student."
These tools also support Geoff's goal to create a dynamic learning environment where students can thrive both in-person and remotely.
Short learning curve
Geoff appreciates the user-friendly interface of Flat for Education, which simplifies the technology to a point where even young children can easily engage with it:
"It takes the students three clicks from when they sign in on Google to be in their Flat for Education Dashboard, ready to compose or to work on an assignment."
This simplicity is crucial for maximizing classroom time and minimizing the learning curve, especially for younger students just beginning to use technology.
By incorporating Flat for Education, Geoff has not only enhanced the musical skills of his students but also transformed his teaching practices to foster a more interactive, engaging, and productive classroom environment. This platform continues to prove its value as an indispensable tool in the landscape of modern music education.
Now, Geoff has generously shared two activities his students love that you can easily replicate! Let's check them out.
Examples of Innovative Teaching with Flat for Education
1. Interactive Jazz Lesson: "Celebrating Ella Fitzgerald"
In this lesson, Geoff aims to immerse his students in the world of jazz and the legendary influence of Ella Fitzgerald. The objective is straightforward yet profound: to introduce the students to jazz and celebrate the musical legacy of Ella Fitzgerald.
The class begins with a captivating viewing of Ella Fitzgerald's performance of "One Note Samba." This visual and auditory introduction sets the stage for deeper exploration. To enrich the students' understanding, Geoff provides a digital handout detailing Fitzgerald's biography and her seminal impact on jazz. This handout serves as a springboard for discussion, prompting students to consider and discuss her contributions to music.
Taking advantage of the interactive capabilities of Flat for Education, Geoff then guides his students through a hands-on exercise. He sets up a performance assignment complete with a jazz backing track, allowing each student to engage directly with the music. This activity enables students to record their own scat singing performances, which they then upload to the class stream.
To replicate this with your studets, let's explore the step to create this assignment:
- First, you need to create an empty score and sync it with the YouTube video of a jazz backing track:
- Second, you need to create a performance assignment using the score you just created with all all the assets and resources your students need to succeed.
⭐ Outcome: Students gain an appreciation for jazz and actively practice musical improvisation in a fun, interactive way.
2. Global Music Exploration: "At Home Fun with Google Maps"
In this lesson, Geoff sets out to connect his students with the rich tapestry of music history through a virtual exploration of iconic music landmarks. The objective is to deepen students' understanding of musical heritage by linking them directly to the places that shaped some of the greatest composers and performances in history.
The adventure begins with the students using Google Maps to embark on a virtual tour, pinpointing significant locations such as Carnegie Hall in New York and Beethoven’s childhood home in Bonn, Germany. This interactive approach not brings the stories of these landmarks to life but also helps students visualize and appreciate their historical importance.
After their virtual exploration, students channel their insights into a creative project. They have the choice of drawing or creating a digital presentation that captures their findings about these famed music locations. This activity encourages them to process and express what they've learned in a personal and creative way.
To further integrate their knowledge with practical skills, Geoff uses Flat for Education to assign a composition task. Students are challenged to create a melody inspired by Beethoven's style, fostering a deeper connection to classical music composition techniques. Additionally, the platform enables Geoff to set up collaborative assignments, allowing students to work together on shared compositions. This not only enhances their technical skills but also teaches them the value of collaboration in the creative process, reflecting the communal nature of music itself.
⭐ Outcome: Students develop research skills and a global perspective on music history, fostering cultural literacy.
Geoff Gould’s success with Flat for Education illustrates how the right music notation software can revolutionize music education, keeping students engaged and connected regardless of the learning environment.
🎶 Want to bring these benefits to your classroom? Try Flat for Education free for one month and experience the power of the best music notation software for educators.
