Fall MECA Online Courses
All Fall MECA online courses
are generally held from
Sept. 21 through Dec. 13, 2020,
unless specified.
Registration closes at 11:59 p.m.
on September 18, 2020
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Questions?
Visit our MECA FAQs page.
Drop, withdraw or change using
the Add/Drop Form.
For other MECA-related questions,
contact us at meca@vandercook.edu
or 312.788.1139
Music, the Brain & Learning
ONLINE
September 21–December 13, 2020
Students will explore current research and best practices in music learning and teaching with respect to brain anatomy, development, and function, psychological and sociological intersections, personal learning styles and habits and music teaching methods. Culturally responsive teaching will be examined as it pertains to accommodating differently abled music learners, students of widely varying cultures and traditional music learning and teaching methodologies. Course participants will examine current practice as well as analyze their own practice and devise practical approaches to planning for and implementing music instruction. The course is designed to allow participant learners to pursue their personal interests and professional practices and to provide an opportunity for reflection and revision or reinforcement of their practices.
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
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Analyze their own personal learning and instructional style
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Identify and use the concepts and practices of action research
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Conduct a short action research project in a personal area of interest
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Identify basic brain function and anatomy as it relates to learning, retention and mastery
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Discuss brain function as it applies to music instruction and practice
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Identify the connections between music learning, instruction and brain function with cultural relevance, diverse learners, and current music instructional practice
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Apply principles of music learning, teaching and brain function to planning for music instruction
Instructor: Elizabeth Allison
Elizabeth Allison is a highly respected educator, musician, professional development provider and facilitator in the areas of pedagogy, music classroom methods, culturally responsive teaching, innovative practice, and faculty learning communities. She has taught PreK-12 music in public and private schools and finds great joy in working with students of all ages. Currently, Allison is Professor of Music Education at Berklee College of Music in Boston, where she teaches Music Education Methods; Music, the Brain and Learning; Multicultural Approaches to Music; and Philosophy of Education. She is the advisor to the Berklee NAfME chapter and a Senior ETUDE Scholar in Diversity and Equity. Allison has received two Berklee Urban Service awards, one for founding the KidsJam program, and one for faculty development work with Berklee CityMusic. She was named Student Activities Advisor of the Year in 2012 and received the Berklee Distinguished Faculty Award in 2019.
Allison has conducted professional development and conference clinics in Europe, Mexico and around the U.S. and has published articles in a variety of journals. As a member of NAfME, “Libby” has served the Massachusetts Music Education Association on the Executive Board in several positions; presented at state, division and national conferences. Her work has been recognized with a Distinguished Service Award and the Excellence in General Music Award. She is also an active member of the Association of Popular Music Education (APME).
Course Details
Music, the Brain & Learning
Course Code 6620
Instructor
Elizabeth Allison
eallison@vandercook.edu
3 Graduate Credits
Tuition
$1,065, due in full with registration
Chat Sessions
None required
Prerequisites
None
Required Text(s)
How the Brain Learns
by David Sousa
(Corwin Press)
This Is Your Brain on Music
by Daniel Levitin
(Penguin)
Students are responsible for purchasing all required texts and materials. VanderCook will not have any course materials available for purchase.
Software/Hardware Requirements
Internet access is required.
MECA Online Course Details
VanderCook Online is powered by Schoology (www.schoology.com). Through this learning management system, you'll be able to interact directly with your instructor, students in your classes, and members of the greater VanderCook Online community.
Fall 2020 MECA courses officially begin on Monday, Sept. 21. Soon after you register, you'll be added as a new Schoology user. Be on the lookout for an email from Schoology with log-in instructions. Once you are given credentials, simply visit www.online.vandercook.edu to login. On the morning of Sept. 21, you'll have access to your classroom and course material.
Some courses have specific online chat meeting times (please see course descriptions), while others have a flexible meeting schedule. You can expect all courses to meet together in a live online chat. If a live meeting time doesn’t work, you can work with your instructor to make other arrangements.
You’ll have the opportunity to work at your own pace each week while completing assignments and posting responses to discussion questions. You’ll constantly be interacting with your instructor and classmates online, and working through new material each week. We know how crazy school schedules can get, so our instructors try to make everything as flexible as possible!
Online grades will be reported by mid-October. If you are in need of a transcript please visit the online transcript request page. If you are in need a quick turn around time for your transcript please submit the transcript request to the registrar prior to the end of your course(s).