This page focuses on the development of music by students and what they can do on their own to enrich their learning through music. Students often use various forms of media to express themselves, music being one of the most favored, and these expressions typically relate to concepts important to them, such as inclusion, causes like anti-bullying, personal growth, and a general sense about what music means to them. Students of this generation, like others before them, construct identities through various types of music with purpose. These identities then allow students to connect with others...through pop culture, religion, ethnicity, history and sheer interest--identities and connections got at through the medium of music. Students use these musical forms to express themselves as a means of "survival," to help them belong, and as a means of learning about themselves and contributing to the world around them.
Music, Identity, and Inclusion
Here are some ways students use music to think about issues of inclusion--
To begin, take a look at this chart from FutureLab-Innovation in Education about using music to create an inclusive classroom and breakdown barriers amongst students.
To begin, take a look at this chart from FutureLab-Innovation in Education about using music to create an inclusive classroom and breakdown barriers amongst students.
And here is a music video created by students from Willows High School in Cardiff, Wales about what diversity and inclusion mean to them. Also, read more about the British Council's INDIE Goes Mobile Competition that inspired the video.
The British Councils INDIE Goes Mobile Competition is dedicated to films that deal with the theme of diversity in school and in young peoples lives.
Taking inspiration from the European Charter on Inclusion and Diversity in Education created by participants in our INDIE project, weve asked young people to show us what diversity means to them, whether its in school or in their day-to-day lives, by making a short film of up to three minutes in length with their mobile phone or digital camera.
Willows High School in Cardiff gave us this entry. Performing are Flow-Dem Crew with It Doesnt Matter
Jagraj singh music; Mason Burnett lyrics and vocals; Anton Boston - lyrics and vocals; Dimari Wilson - lyrics and vocals; Raymond Kazhangaira - lyrics and vocal
Taking inspiration from the European Charter on Inclusion and Diversity in Education created by participants in our INDIE project, weve asked young people to show us what diversity means to them, whether its in school or in their day-to-day lives, by making a short film of up to three minutes in length with their mobile phone or digital camera.
Willows High School in Cardiff gave us this entry. Performing are Flow-Dem Crew with It Doesnt Matter
Jagraj singh music; Mason Burnett lyrics and vocals; Anton Boston - lyrics and vocals; Dimari Wilson - lyrics and vocals; Raymond Kazhangaira - lyrics and vocal
For some further reading about inclusive education and students, take a look at this article...
Inclusion in Music in the Primary Classroom by Mary Kellett (2005), from The Open University's Open Research Online.
Music, Identity, and a Cause
Here are some ways students use music to highlight and connect with a cause--
Anti-violence...
Music can be a means to engage in the political dialogue for youth who find they have no other voice or path to express themselves.
Click here to read an article by Susan Shepler of American University that discusses youth music and its purpose and impact in post-war Sierra Leone.
Or take a look at an article in TimeWorld about "Singing to Stop the Fighting" in Freetown, the capital of Sierra Leone.
Click here to read an article by Susan Shepler of American University that discusses youth music and its purpose and impact in post-war Sierra Leone.
Or take a look at an article in TimeWorld about "Singing to Stop the Fighting" in Freetown, the capital of Sierra Leone.
Anti-bullying...
We also encourage you to go to the following link on YouTube to see a music video against bullying put together by eighth graders at Long Branch Middle School in New Jersey:
Bullying We'll Stop It OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO
(Due to copyright associated with this video, we cannot publish it directly on this site.)
Bullying We'll Stop It OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO
(Due to copyright associated with this video, we cannot publish it directly on this site.)
What other causes inspire music and help shape our identity?
Music, Identity, and Development
Here are some ways students use music to further their own development and understanding--
First, here is an essay discussing the importance of incorporating music into classrooms.
Now, take a look at some examples...
First, here is an essay discussing the importance of incorporating music into classrooms.
Now, take a look at some examples...
"Arabic music video that was completed by interactive distance learning students in America.
Pleasanton, KS Arabic students, taught by Khalil Mekkaoui, created this video. They did the acting and singing. The Arabic language class is taught over our Interactive Distance Learning network or IDL. This video plays out the drama of a girl looking for her dream boy."
Music, Identity, and Life
Students often feel comfortable when they are playing music. They play instruments that they feel "define" their personality and they get lost in the creation of music. Learning how to play music and instruments is not an easy task, but just attempting to play music allows an individual to consider themselves a musician since the quality of most music is subjective and gives them an identity that they believe in. The following video is of various students explaining why music helps them find themselves and the value that they have discovered in making music.
Here is yet another inspiring video...
"A student-made music video about respect and individuality. Created in a program in conjunction with the Freire Charter School."
Teachers - Below is a link to a page describing a lesson titled "Music As Identity." The lesson allows students to develop an audio clip explaining what music does for them and how it makes them feel. Students can put their choice of music in the background and describe their feelings based on the music and/or the words.The page was created by music teacher Nick Jaworski who teaches at Winnebago High School in Illinois. Also available is the PDF of the actual assignment.
http://teachingmusic.tumblr.com/post/754039518/music-as-identity
| musicasidentityonlinelessonplan.pdf |
How has music shaped your identity? What does music mean to you and how do you share that meaning with others? Please share your thoughts and ideas in the forum below or on our blog!
