Klarinet Archive - Posting 000023.txt from 2002/06

From: "Forest E. Aten Jr." <forestaten@-----.com>
Subj: Re: [kl] Teaching the 'students' of today
Date: Sat, 1 Jun 2002 13:36:18 -0400

Bill,

I never said anything about using teaching methods that were "negative". I
have a pretty good idea how you jump to the conclusion that a formal and
structured music curriculum in the public school is "negative". Poor
teachers.....

While candy as a treat is OK, having to offer candy to get people to "show
up" is a good indication that something is wrong with what's going on. I for
one, would not be using the services of "counselors and psychologists"
offering candy.....I would take the candy though. Reminds me of one of E.
Bombeck's sayings, "life is too short to stuff mushrooms, but I'll eat them
if someone else does".

Forest

----- Original Message -----
From: "William Wright" <w7wright@-----.net>
Subject: Re: [kl] Teaching the 'students' of today

<><> Forest Aten wrote:
students, parents and administrators want public school music education
to be entertaining [snip] Many kids (and their parents) enter into
band thinking that they are going to be entertained (fun, fun, fun).
When they find out that it involves work [....]

Without disputing anything that you have posted.....

Teachers and institutions should remember that all people --- regardless
of age or the topic --- learn more and retain it longer when they're
enjoying themselves. Negative reinforcement can be effective, but
positive reinforcement applied in equal intensity always wins.

The issue is that often it's easier for a teacher or person in authority
to follow the negative path, and hence the perception arises that it is
'more effective' to be strict and demanding, when really what's
happening is that there's less overhead involved and this has great
appeal when resources (such as time and salaries) are limited.

There is a reason why many counselors and psychologists offer their
clients a candy bar just for showing up and participating.

Cheers,
Bill

================

If I had Stadler's mouthpiece, would I play better? Or do I need his
ligature also? Or perhaps he and I are different persons? If I had
Mozart's pen, would I compose better?

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