An important part of the Jones article was the research study done for the renewing of Pennsylvania. The study discussed the connection between the importance of creative arts education and the amount of young professionals moving into PA. The information in this study holds a significant value for those of you who are from PA, but also for all of us, because after we all graduate, PA is a state in which many of us might find our first jobs. The article emphasizes the importance of the connection between the music classroom and the community, which is a liberal, CP ideal. But it is necessary to realize that the ideas put forth in the article of changing classroom techniques, student involvement, and community outreach might not be possible or necessary in some areas. The research study was done across PA, which is a state full of very different situations. A classroom in eastern PA, in a more affluent area might be able to field these changes and reap the benefits. In Philadephia on the other hand, this urban school district that is in debt, and run with business ideals of production can not afford new technology in the classrooms, and in most situations music isn't even part of the school to change. I wonder if Jones was thinking about this when proposing these changes.
posted by Anonymous @ 5:53 PM
4 Comments:
I think you are right in bringing up the obvious differences in various urban and suburban school districts in PA. However, I think that Jones is suggesting that it is more important to involve the school in the community...to create "creative workers". There are plenty of ways to do this without having tons of resources.
From having these creative workers in the community, you would also gain more support. Music and the arts are more esential to them, so you will have more bennifits. So basically you put out into the community you get back. It seems to have more of a flow then. The program would be more connected.
I think that Jones was probably taking a lot of different possible situations into account when he was proposing the changes in this article. Although it might be more difficult to enact these changes in an urban area, it is still definitely possible. Students in urban areas are still exposed to music that interests and connects to them every day. The music teacher in an urban district needs to figure out what the teachable musical interests are, and teach the students things musically that they want to use and bring into the community. The teacher can do this even with very little resources. This can positively change the overall environment of the community even if it is an urban area.
I agree with Caroline... Jones states the issue, and then presents many different ways that one can bring new and exciting techniques into the classroom. While technology is one very helpful method, so it improv, and composition, etc. It's not about all of a sudden using every possible new technique, but rather about encorporating new things in slowly and integrating "real life" skills into a art subject.
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