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IJIEST - Vol. 3 - Issue 1 - January 2021
ISSN 2612-6990
Pages: 7
Removing Learning Barriers: Increasing Expectations and Eliminating Homework in a Music Composition Course
Authors: Nikita Mamedov
Categories: Journal
Abstract - Homework is an essential educational component that serves the purpose of helping students reinforce the content learned in class. The act of assigning homework ensures that students engage with the class material during after-school hours. However, students' perspectives on homework assignments differ when compared to views of teachers, as students may find homework assignments neither motivational nor appealing. This article proposes an alternative look at homework. Rather than requiring students to complete the work at home, the proposed methodology seeks to view homework as part of overall work, whereas students independently choose whether to complete it at school or home. Therefore, an instructor makes no distinction between classwork or homework; neither does an instructor assign work to be taken home. Instead, students perceive all course assignments and activities as mere work. The proposed strategy removes students' bias of disliking homework (since an instructor does not officially assign homework), presents opportunities for assignments to coexist as part of a larger project, and allows students to pursue their education as part of self-regulated learning. The paper draws on course examples from the music composition class.
Keywords: Homework, Motivation, Music composition, Music education
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