A New Lesson Plan Model: ASSURE

The ASSURE lesson plan model proved to be a little challenging for me. In my first year of teaching, I have gotten used to following a template and checking "all those that apply". The checklist was simple, easy, and less work, but it has major disadvantages in teaching a music course. A music teacher's lesson plan is different from any other core subject. It isn't as cut and dry as teach the lesson, give sample problems, do practice problems, and take a quiz. Certain skills need to be developed over time and rehearsed in order to get the expected results not to mention taking advantage of new music software and equipment in this technological era. It may also be quite a challenge for any substitute teacher to take over my lesson plan if the procedures aren't detailed enough or music knowledge is lacking. That is why I feel the ASSURE model is ideal for my lesson planning. It lays out all the necessary steps and materials I need to take and prepare before diving into the lesson activity. It allows you be to detailed enough to explain the activity to anyone administering the lesson in my absence.

The NETS*T standards I believe that apply to my lesson plan are NETS*T 2A: Design or adapt relevant learning experiences that incorporate digital tools and resources to promote student learning and creativity, NETS*T 2B: Develop technology-enriched learning environments that enable all students to pursue their individual curiosities and become active participants in setting their own educational goals, managing their own learning, and assessing their own progress, and NETS*T 2C:  Customize and personalize learning activities to address students’ diverse learning styles, working strategies, and abilities using digital tools and resources (ISTE, 2011). I feel that each of these standards are incorporated into the objectives of my lesson plan. Students are learning how to use, learn, explore, create, and compose music by using digital software and electronic equipment to create an original and creative piece of work. Although, some music critics argue that digital music is so convenient and versatile that there is a slight loss of quality that is acceptable for most purposes (Cantrell, 2003). I somewhat agree what this author has to say, but for the purposes of my lesson, students will be engaging in the artistic process and applying their knowledge to the technology of the new age, which can potentially influence a student's career choice. 

If I were to revise and make this activity more challenging for my students, I would have the students transcribe the entire score, turn in a hard copy, and have the other groups play each other's jingle with real instruments. But I think I'd save that lesson for a college specialty course. In any case, this lesson plan is practical enough to allow students with disabilities to contribute to the group even if it just means singing the song or clapping to the rhythm. If revisions to the lesson plan are needed, it would solely depend on the student's performance capability. 

This is assignment really allowed me to explore new ways of incorporating technology into a lesson plan that really had no relation to music. I forced myself to think outside of the box in order to find ways to integrate music and the nutritional content for cereal. It sounded almost absurd, but it wasn't impossible. Lesson planning requires a lot of planning. Knowing your audience and their different learning abilities is integral in preparing and delivering an effective lesson plan. Incorporating a variety of media will also reach more students with different learning styles. When you plan a lesson, you must set a goal to find the best way to reach your students in order to be successful in learning the content. Be creative.

References:

ISTE: International Society for Technology in Education. (2011) National Educational Technology Standards (NETS•T) and Performance Indicators for Teachers. Retrieved June 8, 2012, from ISTE. 

Cantrell, C., &  Cantrell J. (2003) Music in the Digital Age. Retrieved June 8, 2012, from CTKR