Course description
This popular postgraduate course provides continuing professional development and support for school teachers and instrumental peripatetic tutors wishing to learning more about music technology and feel more confident in the technological environment and modern music- classrooms.
The University is very proud to offer this provision. Since its initial introduction in 1998 the course has been highly praised by external examiners and by alumni, now numbering in excess of 150 local music teachers in primary, secondary and SEN schools who, together with the music team at UH, have shaped a unique learning experience unrivaled elsewhere. To our knowledge this course is the only one of its kind in the country.
The course is offered as a part-time evening course (Wednesdays 16:30 - 18:30 over one academic year) and although not exclusive to teachers, has been developed from the ground up to be sensitive to the needs of music educators and is mindful of the demands and typical pressure points of this profession.
Numbers are purposely limited each year and as a participant of this course you will be learning alongside your peers with experienced, friendly and unassuming staff on hand each step of the way. You will be working with a range of technologies, some aligned to industry and others aligned to schools. As there are many music technology platforms in use in schools, the course places an emphasis on transferable skills and creative ideas which can feed into the classroom environment. Another unique feature is that you will be provided with a portable computer and relevant software that will allow you to find a study pattern that works for you.
Our external examiner recently commented:
"The course is extremely well designed for the purpose it is designed to serve, and it's clear that the benefits to the students taking the course are excellent. There is a clear need for this course and it is completely relevant to the professional development of music teachers. In particular, it informs aspects of music technology and composition, which are both vital components of the national curriculum".
Indeed, this is very much central to the philosophy of this course and the ethos is that the technology and principles need to be practically applied (and made enjoyable and rewarding) in order to be effectively understood. Therefore we will be developing your awareness and abilities in composition (both acoustic and electronic) throughout the course, and the many creative outcomes will be recorded and realised through the application of technology.
The programme culminates with the realisation of a professional project, conceived by you and suitable for use within your school. Previous project examples have included: a proposal for the implementation of a music technology suite in school; score and backing-track for a school production; musical exercise book with accompanying tutorial DVD; developmental teaching plans; music resources for special needs.
Work placement
Placements are a valuable means of establishing industrial contacts and gaining an insight into the commercial reality of a chosen discipline. We have a long history of students working with industry supplementing the taught university curriculum with real life on the job experience.
This has seen students working right across the creative industries sector: in graphic, product and interior design consultancies, working as artist in residence in galleries, producing props and sets for the film & TV industry, shadowing teachers in education, working with commercial photographers through to students working right across the Music industry.
We expect students interested in obtaining a work placement; to be proactive, to self-initiate this interest and to communicate and work with programme staff in their identification of companies and organisations that are able to provide the appropriate range of experiences and opportunities.
We value the opportunity and benefits of the placement experience highly and as such, we encourage all students to consider obtaining a placement as part of their course. However, we recognise that this may not be a viable option for a number of reasons. In addition, we are not able to guarantee that all students will undertake a work placement as part of their studies.
Careers
Participants will already be in employment, however the course may help with those wishing to progress their career. Teaching methods
Each week an initial introduction and demonstration of a component of the workstation will be followed by a supervised session offering you the chance to explore the creative possibilities individually. As there are many music technology platforms in use in schools, the programme places emphasis on transferable skills and the related creative compositional ideas which can feed into the classroom environment.
Course content
Year 1 - full details
Core modules
-Creative Projects (Short Course)
-Music Technology (Short Course)
