Seventeen classroom teachers and music specialists from across the Milton Keynes area gathered this week to participate in our 1-day course- ‘Creative Composition with iPads’. Milton Keynes Music Service has purchased a set of iPads and hopes to roll out composition classes in 40 schools beginning in September, based on a set of lesson plans designed by Transformance Music’s Ben Sellers.
At the request of the hub, we provided a step-by-step ‘walkthrough’ of Garageband and two other apps, giving teachers with no previous experience of using iPads in a musical context the tools and confidence to begin to use them in their classrooms. We also covered the use of iPads with SEN participants, and equipment needed for effective amplification in the classroom. The day finished with participants challenged to compose and perform a group piece of music in a given style.
Feedback from participants was extremely positive, with 100% of participants rating the training as ‘Good’ or ‘Excellent’. Head of the music service, David Rose: ” [Ben] provided detailed lesson plans and practical ideas for working with pupils of all ages and abilities and was able to support each teacher whatever their previous experience with technology in order that they feel confident in delivering their own lessons.” Once classroom teacher, Mark McCarthy, stated ‘The training was informative, well presented, and provided me with plentiful ideas to take back to the classroom for projects large and small’.
Hosting the training at a Hub allowed teachers working in various contexts, who may otherwise not be able to access this level of training, the chance to explore composition with iPads. If you would like us to work with your hub, please email ben@transformancemusic.org.
