Your assignment is to present an argument, in written form, on where class should be held next week. You should have an introduction and conclusion paragraph, a premise statement(s), and supporting statements. Convince me! Post your argument (in must be brief, but compelling!) to this blog...
Since I do not live in Denton and do not often go out to hear live music, I can not argue for a specific place. I can, however, argue for a kind of place that will differ from last week, and then you can see if one in Denton matches.
ReplyDeleteWe should go to a place where the music will be different than Sweetwater.
We should go to a place with a different atmosphere than Sweetwater.
We should go to a place where we can all sit together and hear each other speak.
Therefore, we should find a place that fits these 3 characteristics so that the experience is different than last week, which I missed, and gives us a different philosophical spin.
Given that we have experienced a classroom setting (two actually with our one class across the hall), and a restaurant setting, I think it would be best for our philosophical learnings to hold class in the Goolsby Chapel.
ReplyDeleteThe Chapel is conveniently located next door to the music building. This would allow people to come directly from other classes, juries, or practice sessions. It would also allow for consistency in parking choices and driving times and distances compared to our normal classroom.
The Chapel provides a quite and clean environment where everyone could speak and be heard. There are ample chairs. Restrooms and a drinking fountain are very close to the main room.
In addition the Chapel could provide some atmosphere specific to the spirituality that some class members have spoken to, and which we touched upon as a class last week when discussing what drives teachers and musicians to do what they do. If the class agenda touches upon those ideas again than the Goolsby is very well suited to the purpose.
There are some arguments to be made against holding class in the Chapel. The presence of other people meeting, meditating, or worshiping could prevent us from meeting there, but in my experience, the building is only ever used on Sundays, despite being open to the public almost all the time. This risk could be mitigated by having a plan B. There is also a lack of food and drink in the Chapel, but this would be no different than in the normal classroom, therefore not being a horrible trade off for a great location otherwise.
It is for these reasons that I argue we should hold class in the Goolsby Chapel, a quiet building dedicating to the task of thought, and seeking wisdom.
Throughout one's learning life, the littlest things can serve as inspiration. A beautiful flower. A song being played on the radio. A simple hello from a friendly stranger. As a teacher, it is our duty to serve as an inspiration to our students, however, far too often we do not realize the inspired environment that we create is actually much more than the words we say. Therefore, I propose we utilize the orchestra rehearsal room, or the choir rehearsal room.
ReplyDeleteThroughout our careers as teachers, there will be some point in which we must educate in a space larger than a tiny practice room (which is what many of us private teachers are used to). How will we utilize the space? If we are coaching just one individual, how can we make them not feel overwhelmed? What if we were directing a large ensemble? How can we make our one voice be resonant to the tubist in the back? (applicable for band or choir! ;)
Far past the educational applications of utilizing this space, the philosophical meaning of these rooms can be discussed. What has come before us in these rooms? What lies ahead? Who has walked these halls? What music do we hear coming down the hall? How many juries have been played? How many hours have been spent practicing? And were all of these rehearsals in vein? Did the students enjoy every minute?
Leaving the classroom is extremely vital to any education, especially music. Music is all around us, in our everyday lives, however, most of us will be teaching it in a confined space. Therefore, it is vital to utilize our space and think beyond the walls in order to really transform our students from inside the box band students, to outward thinking creative musicians who have the ability to connect and create. Their success starts with us!
On a side note: I'm so disappointed I missed class on Tuesday. Can anyone fill me in on some of the topics discussed? Thanks!
Because everyone is overwhelmed with final projects piling up, juries, trying to find their gloves and hats buried away in suitcases since it's so cold all of a sudden, and trying to find time to eat, my suggestion is to hold class at the location most convenient for everyone: our classroom. In addition, everyone could bring a food of their choice to contribute.
ReplyDeleteHolding a class in a different location discourages some from attending because it may be difficult to get to.
Other venues have the potential to be noisy, smelly, overcrowded, or maybe even illegal for us to use. We do not want to spend our class period running from the police. That should be reserved strictly for personal time. These venues would not be conducive to a productive philosophical discussion.
If everyone brought some kind of food (store-bought or otherwise), we would solve the problem of finding time to eat, and we would even discover more about the different personalities in our classroom based on these food choices. That alone is grounds for a philosophical discussion.
Although remaining in our classroom may not provide the exciting, adventersome experience some of us were probably craving for this second-to-last MUED 5510 class, it provides a neutral, stable, and convenient environment, and we can customize the food choices to ensure variety and that there's plenty to go around.
Since we only have 4 arguments presented here, we need to go ahead and choose one of these.Patty established three criteria that are worth considering.Zack presented a strong case for Goolsby Chapel, connecting it to our discussion last week and also presenting some counter arguments. Sarah provided us with a whole new perspective on the classrooms in which we learn and teach. And Ross presented a strong rationale given the pressures we are all feeling.
ReplyDeleteI vote that we go with the suggestion from Ross because it meets the 3 criteria Patty presented, and I believe we SHOULD have food, so while Goolsby would be a STELLAR location otherwise, food is a priority for me! And we would be in a classroom and could discuss new perspectives that Sarah presented. SO.... usual classroom, usual time, I'll bring food, if you can and want to, you can bring food as well. See you then!