Online Music Courses on Articulate 360

1. Content analysis

This course aims at providing an introductory music theory course to grade 4-6 students. This course is a self-paced course taken by students ideally before the beginning of each semester, with the purpose of better preparing them for the formal music curriculum at schools.

One of the current challenges in elementary school music curricula is the diverse levels of prior music theory knowledge among students. Some students have been learning musical instruments since they were young, while others have not. Some can read music scores quickly, while others have never seen a music score. This results in a wide gap in their basic knowledge of music theory, making it difficult for teachers to cater to all students' learning paces with the same curriculum.

While there are similar online courses available, most of them are lengthy and advanced. For example, the Fundamentals of Music Theory course on Coursera primarily targets adult learners with a course duration of around 9 hours and advanced content.

Considering the short attention span of elementary school students, I have decided to make this online course relatively short, with a duration of only 45 minutes. The content is also basic and easy for elementary students to comprehend with the use of interactive elements, such as videos, flashcards, etc.

2. Learning outline

Lesson 1: Introduction to Notes and Rhythms

• Identify notes on the staff: whole, half, quarter, eighth notes, beamed notes, and dotted note.

• Understand basic rhythms and time signatures (4/4, 3/4, and 2/4).

• Assessment includes a quiz on note identification and rhythm reading.

Lesson 2: Exploring Scales

• Recognize patterns of half steps and whole steps in scales.

• Learn about major and minor scales.

• Assessment includes a half/whole steps and scale identification quiz.

Lesson 3: Building Basic Chords

• Understand the construction of major and minor chords.

• Identify and play basic chord progressions.

• Assessment includes a chord recognition quiz.

3. Characteristics of target learner group

• What do they [likely] know already about this topic or skill?  

  • They may have basic knowledge with basic musical concepts such as recognizing musical notes and rhythms from elementary music classes or exposure to music in their daily lives. They might have played simple musical instruments or participated in singing activities.

• What is [likely] difficult for them about this topic?

  • Understanding complex rhythms, time signatures, and recognizing chords could also be difficult. Abstract concepts like the construction of chords may require extra effort.

  
  

• What would [likely] motivate or get them excited about this topic? 

  • Use of interactive and engaging activities. Using colorful visuals, animated examples, and interactive games to learn about notes, rhythms, scales, and chords can make the learning process more enjoyable.

4. Learning goal and objectives

• Goal:

  • Learners will develop a foundational understanding of music theory and concepts, enabling them to read and interpret basic musical scores.

• Objectives:

1. Identify notes on the staff and understand basic rhythms.

2. Understand basic rhythms and time signatures.

3. Recognize major and minor chords and basic chord progressions.