A friend recommended me a song from a Motown Remixed album – War by Edwin Starr. This album is in his music collection and one of his favorite albums. I listened to it and found it is quite different from many songs I am familiar so I chose it for my music project.
I read some articles about Motown when I worked on the project. Motown music has its tradition in Detroit, Michigan and signifies many famous African-American singers. And this particular song, “War” is what made Edwin Starr most famous. I listened to the song and felt a strong emotion in my mind. It is not because of the anti-Vietnam theme but because of its tempo, rhythm, instrumentation and vocals.
Drum beats, fast tempo, and high-pitch saxophone combines to make a mind-shaking prelude. The lyrics “What is it good for” is a real hook and then, Edwin’s vocals “Absolutely nothing” indeed gives me a thrill. The instrumentation, the lyrics, and the sorrow tone of the singer invokes a sonorous image in my mind—mothers with tears on the face and hands in the air in despair.
My emotions were high and my soul was purified, as the story was unfolded along the lyrics and rhythm. What a moving piece of music!
Monday, March 29, 2010
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Music and Teaching
I had a good time on music appreciation in the past two weeks. I listened to some informative radio talks about what makes great music great, studied the articles on the gifted listener and sonorous image of music, and also listened to award wining music pieces. All of this certainly makes me more knowledgeable about music and let me keep thinking about what is the connection between the art of music and the art of teaching. There are at least three things I like to explore in teaching.
First is the idea of hooks. In music, a hook refers to a catchy musical idea, a passage or a phrase, which often comes at the beginning of the piece of music and sometimes repeats and develops throughout the piece. While it’s difficult to say what the meaning of a piece of music is, it’s safe to assume that a hook often works to trigger a listener’s emotion. When it strikes on one’s emotional nerve, he or she is hooked and wants to resonate more with the music. I think that’s the magic power of a music hook. Could we apply the idea of hooks to our daily teaching? If the emotion is essential for a hook of music, then curiosity may be the target of a hook in teaching. For example, if we can somehow arouse a strong curiosity among students and somehow maintain that curiosity, our teaching should be magic, like a great piece of music.
Second is the gift of a listener. By Copland, music listening is a talent, varying among individuals. Two principal requirements for talented listening are the ability to open oneself up to musical experience and the ability to evaluate critically that experience. How could this idea be applicable for the art of teaching? We have to admit that students also vary in learning talent, at least at the beginning, and our job should be nurture such a talent among students. Fortunately, I have seen that such a learning talent improves, as students get more interested in a subject. Now, I also see the importance of critical thinking skills.
Third is the role of emotion. As I have seen, music is all for emotions. We listen to a piece of music largely to resonate in our emotions and obtain psychological satisfaction from such resonance. In contrast, teaching is primarily for cognition. So, the issue I may ask is, if and how can I blend some emotional elements into a cognitive quest? In other MAET courses, we have discussed the role of affects in active learning. And now, the discussion of music makes me think about this issue again. And I believe emotions play an increasingly role in the art of teaching, and I need to figure out more on how to implement this idea.
If a textbook is like a piece of music, could a teacher be a conductor and all her students be performers of an orchestra? That is, teaching could be as enjoyable as music for more students, if teachers can act as musicians. That sounds very intriguing!
First is the idea of hooks. In music, a hook refers to a catchy musical idea, a passage or a phrase, which often comes at the beginning of the piece of music and sometimes repeats and develops throughout the piece. While it’s difficult to say what the meaning of a piece of music is, it’s safe to assume that a hook often works to trigger a listener’s emotion. When it strikes on one’s emotional nerve, he or she is hooked and wants to resonate more with the music. I think that’s the magic power of a music hook. Could we apply the idea of hooks to our daily teaching? If the emotion is essential for a hook of music, then curiosity may be the target of a hook in teaching. For example, if we can somehow arouse a strong curiosity among students and somehow maintain that curiosity, our teaching should be magic, like a great piece of music.
Second is the gift of a listener. By Copland, music listening is a talent, varying among individuals. Two principal requirements for talented listening are the ability to open oneself up to musical experience and the ability to evaluate critically that experience. How could this idea be applicable for the art of teaching? We have to admit that students also vary in learning talent, at least at the beginning, and our job should be nurture such a talent among students. Fortunately, I have seen that such a learning talent improves, as students get more interested in a subject. Now, I also see the importance of critical thinking skills.
Third is the role of emotion. As I have seen, music is all for emotions. We listen to a piece of music largely to resonate in our emotions and obtain psychological satisfaction from such resonance. In contrast, teaching is primarily for cognition. So, the issue I may ask is, if and how can I blend some emotional elements into a cognitive quest? In other MAET courses, we have discussed the role of affects in active learning. And now, the discussion of music makes me think about this issue again. And I believe emotions play an increasingly role in the art of teaching, and I need to figure out more on how to implement this idea.
If a textbook is like a piece of music, could a teacher be a conductor and all her students be performers of an orchestra? That is, teaching could be as enjoyable as music for more students, if teachers can act as musicians. That sounds very intriguing!
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Study of Eisner’s Concept
Eisner’s concept of the role of forms in arts is inspirational for education. The traditional view sees education as the transfer of knowledge from the instructor to students. More recently, co-creation of knowledge by students and the instructor is considered more appropriate. However, our exploration of the role of compelling experience makes it clear that effective learning should be a process of knowledge co-creation with emotion as lubrication. That is, students should enjoy a learning process to maximize the learning outcome. The issue is how to make education a blend of rational and emotional endeavor?
According to Eisner, forms are important for all fields of art. I prefer to see Eisner’s forms as the ways of aesthetic expression. As we know, to simulate a particular feeling among an audience, a painter may paint something, a composer may write a song, and a dancer may dance, all using their own “way of aesthetic expression.” If they are all good in terms of using the way of aesthetic expression in respective fields, a “work of art” can be created.
Educators are creators, too. I’m thinking about how to apply this forms idea to education. We need to be innovative and find the right forms in our instruction. For example, when we make a PPT for a lecture, we could use text only for all the information or better yet, we could add graphics or even interesting video clips. In most cases, a multimedia approach in teaching is more appealing and effective because it injects emotional elements into the learning process.
Along a different line of thinking, interaction and engagement with students is equally important, as a unique form of education. Compared with a straight lecture, lively discussion with students or among students can simulate understanding with emotion. We all remember how pleasing a good discussion for the class. Of course, we have to be creative for each lecture in terms of the right forms—anything may loss novelty if it stays unchanged for too long. That is the real challenge for effective teaching and active learning. So our quest for right forms of education will never end.
According to Eisner, forms are important for all fields of art. I prefer to see Eisner’s forms as the ways of aesthetic expression. As we know, to simulate a particular feeling among an audience, a painter may paint something, a composer may write a song, and a dancer may dance, all using their own “way of aesthetic expression.” If they are all good in terms of using the way of aesthetic expression in respective fields, a “work of art” can be created.
Educators are creators, too. I’m thinking about how to apply this forms idea to education. We need to be innovative and find the right forms in our instruction. For example, when we make a PPT for a lecture, we could use text only for all the information or better yet, we could add graphics or even interesting video clips. In most cases, a multimedia approach in teaching is more appealing and effective because it injects emotional elements into the learning process.
Along a different line of thinking, interaction and engagement with students is equally important, as a unique form of education. Compared with a straight lecture, lively discussion with students or among students can simulate understanding with emotion. We all remember how pleasing a good discussion for the class. Of course, we have to be creative for each lecture in terms of the right forms—anything may loss novelty if it stays unchanged for too long. That is the real challenge for effective teaching and active learning. So our quest for right forms of education will never end.
Friday, March 5, 2010
Retail Stores and Compelling Experiences
I’m thinking about my project for module 3. For this tale of two retail places, I choose Macy’s and Younkers, two of my favorite stores in Meridian Mall. About the lunchtime on a sunshine day, with a fresh eye and a pocket camera, I’m on my way.
As an anchor store, Macy’s has main entrances from outside the Mall. When I arrived and walked in the first door, the promotional offers on the large signage got my attention. Walking through the second door, I saw the very inviting interior – spacious, well lit, with numerous items along the isle.
The lighting in Macy’s is well designed. There are many lights lining up on the ceiling of isles and also in different angles for display sections, in addition to main fixtures over isle intersections. They gave all displays a beautiful look. When I looked at items, I felt cheerful and experienced a good feeling.
Walking through the isle for a few seconds, my mindset was ready in the store. In the meantime, my attention was drawn to a focal point in the center isle – a set of models in new arrivals of spring fashion. I cannot refrain from walking to the models, paused and took a look. I enjoyed the new style clothes and found a couple of them I really liked. I turned around and started searching for some clothes on the models so I could have a touch.
As we know, shopping doesn’t always mean buying. Sometimes, we need a diversion from work or busy lives and we wander in a store. I was in a mood of relaxation and seeking colorful stimuli. Macy’s interior design does meet such a psychological need of mine and probably many other shoppers. I enjoyed the quiet and harmonious setting, away from a fast-paced work life or a noisy environment -- I could not hear any cars running or people talking…
Many seasonal items are on display. The bunnies, eggs, and many Easter colored items are waiting for my inspection, which reminds me Easter is coming! All of these are very inducing. I walked around the display table thinking about what I should buy for the holiday because I always like to decorate my home.
The “clearance” signs in red, here and there in the store -- they call for impulse purchases. Even if I did not plan to buy anything in advance, I still ended up with two items in hand when walking out of the store. The magic power of store interior design is trigger more impulse purchases!
Another quality I like of Macy’s design is that it has many niche displays, each featuring a name brand’s offering, all within easy reach. I can see every corner of isles has such a display, for Vera Wang, Polo, Tommy, to name a few. Merchandise on these prominent displays certainly helps with customers’ readiness to buy.
All these design features combine to provide shoppers with a great experience, regardless they buy or not, and make you always want to come back.
In comparison, Younkers has some similarities and differences. Similar things include entrances from outside the Mall, in-door promotion signage, and spacious isles.
Unlike Macy’s, Younkers has a second floor. It adds to the store space and also gives me a change. I got a good feeling when I was on the elevator up -- I execrated to see more different items. I also could see the store on the lower level from different angels. That view offered me a compelling experience. As this feature is the only one in Meridian Mall, it makes Younkers different from Macy’s and other anchor stores.
There are several seating areas in Younkers. They are there for customers to take time, relax and enjoy more time of shopping in the store. The patterned carpet and tiles separate the walking isles from display areas. I saw the check out counter with a big sign “At your Service” hanging above, which is open and friendly.
The most impressive feature of Younkers is their display windows near the entrance inside the Mall. Each window displays a designer’s creations, telling the season and new styles. These windows add to the elegance of the store design.
In short, the design qualities of these two department stores, such as the patterned floor and warm lighting, display islands, promotion signage, seasonal products, seating areas, colorful and lovely merchandise, all help create an atmosphere in which shoppers can relax, seek varieties, learn about new fashions, and buy something on the spur of the moment.
I ended up my trip in these two department stories with many pictures. This is a regular shopping trip but a study project. After I considered all I saw, I could not think of any other type of interior design that is able to stimulate a more relaxing and enjoyable experience.
As an anchor store, Macy’s has main entrances from outside the Mall. When I arrived and walked in the first door, the promotional offers on the large signage got my attention. Walking through the second door, I saw the very inviting interior – spacious, well lit, with numerous items along the isle.
The lighting in Macy’s is well designed. There are many lights lining up on the ceiling of isles and also in different angles for display sections, in addition to main fixtures over isle intersections. They gave all displays a beautiful look. When I looked at items, I felt cheerful and experienced a good feeling.
Walking through the isle for a few seconds, my mindset was ready in the store. In the meantime, my attention was drawn to a focal point in the center isle – a set of models in new arrivals of spring fashion. I cannot refrain from walking to the models, paused and took a look. I enjoyed the new style clothes and found a couple of them I really liked. I turned around and started searching for some clothes on the models so I could have a touch.
As we know, shopping doesn’t always mean buying. Sometimes, we need a diversion from work or busy lives and we wander in a store. I was in a mood of relaxation and seeking colorful stimuli. Macy’s interior design does meet such a psychological need of mine and probably many other shoppers. I enjoyed the quiet and harmonious setting, away from a fast-paced work life or a noisy environment -- I could not hear any cars running or people talking…
Many seasonal items are on display. The bunnies, eggs, and many Easter colored items are waiting for my inspection, which reminds me Easter is coming! All of these are very inducing. I walked around the display table thinking about what I should buy for the holiday because I always like to decorate my home.
The “clearance” signs in red, here and there in the store -- they call for impulse purchases. Even if I did not plan to buy anything in advance, I still ended up with two items in hand when walking out of the store. The magic power of store interior design is trigger more impulse purchases!
Another quality I like of Macy’s design is that it has many niche displays, each featuring a name brand’s offering, all within easy reach. I can see every corner of isles has such a display, for Vera Wang, Polo, Tommy, to name a few. Merchandise on these prominent displays certainly helps with customers’ readiness to buy.
All these design features combine to provide shoppers with a great experience, regardless they buy or not, and make you always want to come back.
In comparison, Younkers has some similarities and differences. Similar things include entrances from outside the Mall, in-door promotion signage, and spacious isles.
Unlike Macy’s, Younkers has a second floor. It adds to the store space and also gives me a change. I got a good feeling when I was on the elevator up -- I execrated to see more different items. I also could see the store on the lower level from different angels. That view offered me a compelling experience. As this feature is the only one in Meridian Mall, it makes Younkers different from Macy’s and other anchor stores.
There are several seating areas in Younkers. They are there for customers to take time, relax and enjoy more time of shopping in the store. The patterned carpet and tiles separate the walking isles from display areas. I saw the check out counter with a big sign “At your Service” hanging above, which is open and friendly.
The most impressive feature of Younkers is their display windows near the entrance inside the Mall. Each window displays a designer’s creations, telling the season and new styles. These windows add to the elegance of the store design.
In short, the design qualities of these two department stores, such as the patterned floor and warm lighting, display islands, promotion signage, seasonal products, seating areas, colorful and lovely merchandise, all help create an atmosphere in which shoppers can relax, seek varieties, learn about new fashions, and buy something on the spur of the moment.
I ended up my trip in these two department stories with many pictures. This is a regular shopping trip but a study project. After I considered all I saw, I could not think of any other type of interior design that is able to stimulate a more relaxing and enjoyable experience.
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