Comments on: Reflections on using American Idol in the Music Classroom http://etobiasblog.musiced.net/2006/05/23/reflections-on-using-american-idol-in-the-music-classroom/ Expanding Dialogue in Music Education Fri, 29 Aug 2008 06:17:43 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=wordpress-mu-1.2.1 By: L J Schenck http://etobiasblog.musiced.net/2006/05/23/reflections-on-using-american-idol-in-the-music-classroom/#comment-8242 L J Schenck Tue, 01 May 2007 01:59:16 +0000 http://etobiasblog.musiced.net/2006/05/23/reflections-on-using-american-idol-in-the-music-classroom/#comment-8242 I too have used the Idol in my MS general music classes and in my choir. I am hesitant to speak of it very much because of some of the responses that you got on the News (?) article. It is appalling how every time that I am involved in some way to know the facts about a news story that it is always so grossly misrepresented. Somewhat like the critiques on Idol. I am happy to say that all of my choir and most of my GM classes knew that it had nothing to do with music as an art and what is correct. It is only about how to sell and promote a very well conceived money making marketing scheme. We do critical listening as a part of the MS curriculum and some of the students don't have a clue, but I was surprised at how many were confused by what they heard on Idol and what we talk about in class. If any gave the type of responses that idol used, they would receive a comment saying "Inappropriate comment. Does not give accurate reasons for the evaluation. Explain why you liked or disliked in musical terms, be specific." When I listen to Idol comments, it brings me back to American Bandstand: "It had a good beat, I give it an 8." except that that is more descriptive than some of the idol comments. The most irritating thing about their comments is that occasionally they slip up and give an accurate comment or two so you know that Simon and Randy know better, but they just lie about it to try to promote what they think will sell better. It has nothing to do with the truth of the singing. Sorry to go off, but the deception is not good for music education. Truth is what we need. I applaud you for seeing the possibilities here and seized the opportunity to help enlighten your students to the truth. I too have used the Idol in my MS general music classes and in my choir. I am hesitant to speak of it very much because of some of the responses that you got on the News (?) article.

It is appalling how every time that I am involved in some way to know the facts about a news story that it is always so grossly misrepresented. Somewhat like the critiques on Idol.

I am happy to say that all of my choir and most of my GM classes knew that it had nothing to do with music as an art and what is correct. It is only about how to sell and promote a very well conceived money making marketing scheme.

We do critical listening as a part of the MS curriculum and some of the students don’t have a clue, but I was surprised at how many were confused by what they heard on Idol and what we talk about in class. If any gave the type of responses that idol used, they would receive a comment saying “Inappropriate comment. Does not give accurate reasons for the evaluation. Explain why you liked or disliked in musical terms, be specific.”

When I listen to Idol comments, it brings me back to American Bandstand: “It had a good beat, I give it an 8.” except that that is more descriptive than some of the idol comments. The most irritating thing about their comments is that occasionally they slip up and give an accurate comment or two so you know that Simon and Randy know better, but they just lie about it to try to promote what they think will sell better. It has nothing to do with the truth of the singing.

Sorry to go off, but the deception is not good for music education. Truth is what we need. I applaud you for seeing the possibilities here and seized the opportunity to help enlighten your students to the truth.

]]> By: Catalysts & Connections - Evan Tobias » Blog Archive » Potsdam People Article & Using American Idol in the classroom... http://etobiasblog.musiced.net/2006/05/23/reflections-on-using-american-idol-in-the-music-classroom/#comment-7659 Catalysts & Connections - Evan Tobias » Blog Archive » Potsdam People Article & Using American Idol in the classroom... Sat, 21 Apr 2007 06:18:07 +0000 http://etobiasblog.musiced.net/2006/05/23/reflections-on-using-american-idol-in-the-music-classroom/#comment-7659 [...] can read a detailed explanation of how I used American Idol in my classroom which ranged from a critical media literacy perspective [...] […] can read a detailed explanation of how I used American Idol in my classroom which ranged from a critical media literacy perspective […]

]]> By: great blog http://etobiasblog.musiced.net/2006/05/23/reflections-on-using-american-idol-in-the-music-classroom/#comment-3058 great blog Wed, 10 Jan 2007 19:17:47 +0000 http://etobiasblog.musiced.net/2006/05/23/reflections-on-using-american-idol-in-the-music-classroom/#comment-3058 <strong>great blog...</strong> ... great blog…

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]]> By: Natalie http://etobiasblog.musiced.net/2006/05/23/reflections-on-using-american-idol-in-the-music-classroom/#comment-1084 Natalie Sat, 29 Jul 2006 19:31:07 +0000 http://etobiasblog.musiced.net/2006/05/23/reflections-on-using-american-idol-in-the-music-classroom/#comment-1084 It's reassuring to know that "American Idol" is being used in the music classroom as a teaching tool. Like you, we use the critique process on Idol as examples of what to do and what not to do when evaluating student performances and compositions in peer settings. Used in this setting, students are supportive of their classmates creating an environment that is conducive to learning and exploring the many ways in which music can be created and performed. I am enjoying your site. Thanks. It’s reassuring to know that “American Idol” is being used in the music classroom as a teaching tool. Like you, we use the critique process on Idol as examples of what to do and what not to do when evaluating student performances and compositions in peer settings. Used in this setting, students are supportive of their classmates creating an environment that is conducive to learning and exploring the many ways in which music can be created and performed.

I am enjoying your site. Thanks.

]]> By: Claude Preece http://etobiasblog.musiced.net/2006/05/23/reflections-on-using-american-idol-in-the-music-classroom/#comment-972 Claude Preece Fri, 21 Jul 2006 16:17:00 +0000 http://etobiasblog.musiced.net/2006/05/23/reflections-on-using-american-idol-in-the-music-classroom/#comment-972 Well done. Listening is such an important part of music education. As a string teacher it is a strong component in my lessons. More often than not students don't know what to listen for or for that matter why they need to. With all the examples available for teachers to use, I would have not looked at this T.V. show as one of them. Using this show was well thought out. Like any teaching tool used by teachers today, one must stop and think through how effective it will be. It appears to be working. Not only are your students commenting on the performers, but on the judges as well. They also appear to getting a sense of the "reality"Â? of a "Reality Show"Â?. Sometimes good teaching aids are right under our noses. I hope to give this a try with my students. Thanks for the idea, Claude Preece Well done. Listening is such an important part of music education. As a string teacher it is a strong component in my lessons. More often than not students don’t know what to listen for or for that matter why they need to. With all the examples available for teachers to use, I would have not looked at this T.V. show as one of them.
Using this show was well thought out. Like any teaching tool used by teachers today, one must stop and think through how effective it will be. It appears to be working. Not only are your students commenting on the performers, but on the judges as well. They also appear to getting a sense of the “reality”Â? of a “Reality Show”Â?. Sometimes good teaching aids are right under our noses. I hope to give this a try with my students.

Thanks for the idea,

Claude Preece

]]> By: blondesense Liz http://etobiasblog.musiced.net/2006/05/23/reflections-on-using-american-idol-in-the-music-classroom/#comment-675 blondesense Liz Wed, 24 May 2006 04:38:15 +0000 http://etobiasblog.musiced.net/2006/05/23/reflections-on-using-american-idol-in-the-music-classroom/#comment-675 Well that clears it up! The ABC story horrifyingly made it appear that American Idol has something to do with music, the art, when in fact it has to do with music, the business. Children do need to learn the difference. Great job! Well that clears it up! The ABC story horrifyingly made it appear that American Idol has something to do with music, the art, when in fact it has to do with music, the business. Children do need to learn the difference.

Great job!

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