This technique offers a laboratory-style assessment that engages students in creative skill building relevant to their discipline, and scaffolds into a major assessment piece. On alternating weeks students are given a 'walk-through' of a particular skill (or practical technique) covered as part of the course, then proceed to practical laboratory sessions in which they must work to solve an applied problem/task that engages these skills. In the School of Music (from which this entry is generated) these tasks include creating a compositional mix or editing raw files into a radio dialogue. These progressive lab sessions (of which there are approximately 5) scaffold into a larger class-based project that require students to work collaboratively to produce a final presentation and/or product. In MUSC3020, this takes the form of an Album recorded and produced by the class, but could take numerous forms depending on the discipline. For example, Education students might design a series of lesson plans that contribute towards an overall curriculum design framework; Social Science cohorts might work as a research team to execute a class project, etc. This project is scaffolded by the inclusion of a reflexive piece (short peer assessment essay), that are graded accumulatively.
Details
- CLASS SIZE
- 10-20
- CLASS LEVEL
- First year, Second year, Third year
- ASSESSMENT SECURITY
- Medium security
- TIME REQUIREMENTS
- High time
- GRADUATE ATTRIBUTES
- In-depth knowledge in the field(s) studied, Independence and creativity
- CONDITIONS
- Work-related, Group, Sequence
- FEATURES
- Authentic, Problem based
- TAGS
- multimodal, scaffolded, collaborative learning, practical
Advantages
Multiple lab 'walk through' sessions cater to student flexibility by providing progressive skill development across the duration of the course (as opposed to a single session). Enhances potential employability by encouraging students to assume roles familiar to their discipline (for example, camera operators, analysts, spokespeople, editors etc.) as part of a collaborative approach to generating a class project comprised of individual contributions. Easily transfers between disciplines, especially those where progressive skill-building, collaboration and creative output is desired.
Challenges
Some students are reticent to participate in labs (this is addressed by providing a 'walk-through' session that couples with each practical session).
Not easily implemented in large cohorts. Best facilitated by smaller class sizes and support staff.
Tips for implementation
Be prepared to guide students where necessary. Some liaising with students to help resolve intermittent issues with group work may be necessary.
How it supports academic integrity
Scaffolded and laboratory-based learning encourages the development of skills during contact hours (making it easy to identity verify student contributions and engagement). Students are required to generate original and creative content as a class in an approach designed to encourage ownership, which serve as potential deterrents to academic misconduct.
Authentic learning characteristics
engagement, authenticity and student ownership
Associate Professor Eve Klein
e.klein@uq.edu.au
Dr Eve Klein is a lecturer in music technology and popular music, an operatic mezzo soprano and a composer. Prior to joining the University of Queensland, Eve was the Convenor of Music at the University of New England. She is also an Ableton Live Certified Trainer. Eve's research is concentrated on music technology, recording cultures and contemporary music. Her current research explores classical music recording practices, environmental sound recording, popular-classical music hybridity, and technology-enabled performance. Previous research has explored contemporary opera composition, femininity and vocality in Australian country music, DIY CD production in Australian music subcultures, and the role of music-making in the Maltese-Australian community. Eve is currently a peer reviewer for IASPM Australia/New Zealand, Musicology Australia, and the Australia Council for the Arts. Find out more