Ministry introduces multimedia teaching aid for music

The Ministry of Education has introduced a multimedia product titled “Music is Life”, which will be used as an aid for teaching music at the primary level.{{more}}

Deputy Chief Education Officer Beverly Neptune said that the Ministry of Education has recognized the challenges faced by teachers to deliver the music programme in schools.

Neptune said that children today learn differently than they did long ago and that technology plays a major role in that change.

The deputy chief said through the implementation of “Music is Life”, children will be better equipped to handle the Caribbean Primary Exit Assessment (CPEA), which will be introduced in 2014.

“Today’s resource can certainly be used to help our students prepare for the projects and portfolio segments of the CPEA model,” Neptune said.

She also stated that the Ministry of Education seeks to “cultivate an environment that propels our children to be skilled and competitive contributors of society”.

Neptune pointed out many benefits that music provides for children, including improving memory, building confidence, teaching discipline and fostering creativity.

Furthermore, the deputy chief education officer said that she is proud to endorse the initiative on behalf of the ministry, as it is undoubtedly a milestone, not only in the development of the educational sector, but of St Vincent and the Grenadines.

The “Music is Life” resource, which is accompanied by a handbook, is a collaboration of the Music Department and the Education Media Unit of the Ministry of Education.

Joffre Venner, education officer of the music department, described the launching of the digital resource as a historical moment for the music department.

Venner also agrees that learning styles have changed over the years and that it is for that reason why the resource was created.

“Our children are visually stimulated and much more engaged through the use of technology,” he said.

The education officer also explained that the resource is a continuing project, which will evolve from focusing mainly on the grade 5 and 6 syllabus, to catering for Kindergarten classes and onwards.

Education Officer from the Education Media Unit Marla Nanton also commented on the development of “Music is Life”.

“A product like this one should be used, not as a replacement to the teacher, but as a complement to the teaching and learning process,” Nanton said.

Additionally, she said that she looks forward to working along with the Music Department to create the additional resources that will complete the “Music is Life” set.

Three main types of instruments were featured on the DVD, those being percussion, string and wind instruments.

The handbook also features sample questions based on the multimedia product, along with other learning material that will be essential for a music programme at schools.

Jemelia Pope, education officer of the Music Department and contributor to the handbook, said lesson plans are featured in the handbook to coincide with the DVD, which is segmented for class use.

Several teachers congratulated the units that collaborated to create the resource and commended them on the use of local music which makes the multimedia culturally relevant.

Other teachers enquired whether the resource can be used in secondary schools, where music is also taught.

The deputy chief education officer said that although the initial target is primary schools, the ministry envisions that the resource will be used for all age groups with adequate teacher preparation.

Pope added that there are advanced questions included in the handbook. (BK)