ALEX Learning Activity

Musescore is an online music library for instrumentalists. Students may search specific song titles and then choose from various options available at varying levels of difficulty. Students may also listen to a recorded example of the music selected.  Students can choose to publish a composition of their own and make it available to other students through Musescore. The activity will provide students with greater knowledge of the impact of computing as referenced through R3. of the Alabama Course of Study.

Upon completion of this activity, students will be able to identify how advanced digital technology has transformed opportunities available across the globe for instrumental instruction.

Students will use audio recording equipment to document musical ideas.

Students will select music based on interests and evaluation criteria.

Students will view the musical content available on Musescore along with the opportunities for publishing original content.  Students will discuss the impact of digital learning programs such as this one on the educational environment with attention to possible impacts for financially disadvantaged school districts.  The students will compile a list of current roadblocks facing the global digital learning environment along with possible solutions. The teacher will guide a discussion of how worldwide current events such as a pandemic change the landscape of education and the need for digital content.

The class will discuss the validity of digital instructional content as it pertains to instrumental instruction. Students will create an 8 measure composition utilizing https://musescore.org/en. Students who wish to may share their composition with the class for group discussions concerning content and structure. The teacher will conclude the lesson with a verbal group discussion concerning the pros and cons of digital music resources.

The teacher will need to visit the digital tool website (https://musescore.org/en) to become familiar with the search, playback, and publish options.

Additional online programs for accessing instrumental music may be explored for variety and comparison. For example, https://www.pianoshelf.com/  is a wonderful digital resource for piano literature of various genres.

This resource may used in a classroom setting to encourage students to seek out digital instructional resources available to them for augmenting their education.