Lesson Activity: Music of the Future
Overview
The "Music of the Future" is a lesson activity that combines STEAM/Maker Education, programming with Scratch, and MakeyMakey. This lesson activity aims to develop 21st-century skills, which are the basics of product design, block-based programming, electronic programming, and collaboration skills.
Here, we present the overview of this lesson activity, the comprehensive lesson plan for the teachers, and instruction for the students.
Index
Part 1 - For Teacher: The Overview & Lesson Plan
Why this lesson is impactful for our students?
In the current fast-changing digital world, there are some competencies that are required by the world but have not been included comprehensively in our formal education curriculum. We aim to equip our children to get familiar with the current 21st-century skills that are mainly required in the digital industry. Through this lesson, the competencies to be developed are the basics of:
- Product design
- Block-based programming
- Electronic programming and,
- Collaboration skills
It is shown that the skills to be developed in this lesson are highly required as the foundation of future jobs and roles. Based on the study, there are some jobs that are highly on-demand in the near future, for examples Project Managers, Software and Application Developers, and Robotic Engineers (World Economic Forum, 2020). Some specific roles will also emerge as the jobs of tomorrow in the area of Product Development and Engineering, which are Product Owner, Product Analyst, Digital Product Manager, Full-stack Engineer, and Software Developer. Closs, et al (2008) studied several Fortune 500 companies and founded three important competencies that are required for managing product complexity, which are product/technology strategy, product design, and organization.
To explore more on this topic, feel free to watch our Experts Talk regarding the future needs of these competencies:
Reference:
- World Economic Forum. 2020. The Future of Jobs Report 2020.
- Closs, D., Jacobs, M.A., Swink, M., & Webb, G.S. 2008. Toward a Theory of Competencies for the Management of Product Complexity: Six Case Studies. Journal of Operations Management, 26, 590-610.
What are the learning objectives and how to deliver the lesson?
Learning objectives:
- Students are able to perform the basics of product design by using laser cut
- Students are able to perform block-based programming by using Scratch
- Students are able to perform the basics of electronic programming by using Makey Makey
- Students are able to perform collaboration by accomplishing the shared goal
The learning design overview:
The aimed competencies are developed through the main task which we called “Music of the Future”. The students are required to form a group of 3-6 students, design, and develop their own digital music instruments by applying some tools. This task becomes a simulation of real-life work in designing and developing a digital product that will stimulate the development of the aimed competencies. To increase students’ engagement, the task is delivered through interesting storytelling and the element of music.
Overall, there are some stages to be facilitated in this lesson, which are:
- Stage 1: the introduction to the lesson objectives, the main task, and the task instruction
- Stage 2: the main activity, which includes the introduction to the tools & programs required to design and develop the product, the actual development by the students, and assistance from the teachers during the activities
- Stage 3: the elaboration, which includes the final result presentation & reflection that are facilitated by the teachers
The targeted students: Age 8+ in a group of 3-6 students
The tools & materials overview:
- Instruction materials for facilitating the lesson activity to the students:
- Introduction video
- The PDF Instruction
- Additional reference: Scratch code example & documentation of the final product example
- PC / laptop for the students (min. 2 pcs / group)
- Laser Cut and the materials
- Scratch (access through the internet)
- Makey Makey
The details of the learning design:
Stage 1: The introduction
- Main objectives of this stage: students are able to describe the lesson objectives, the main task, and the instruction to accomplish the task.
- Description of this stage: in this stage, teachers facilitate the introduction to the lesson objectives and the main activity, which is “Music of the Future”. Teachers introduce the instruction for the students with step-by-step guidance.
- Instruction materials for facilitating the lesson activity to the students:
Stage 2: The main activity
- Main objectives of this stage: students are able to perform the instruction and accomplish the main task.
- Description of this stage: in this stage, teachers provide guidance along with the main activity. Teachers facilitate the introduction to the tools & programs required to design and develop the product, the actual steps of development that will be performed by the students, and assistance during the activities.
- Tools & Materials to be prepared:
- PC / laptop for the students (min. 2 per group)
- Laser Cut and the materials
- Scratch (access through the internet)
- Makey Makey
- Additional reference for guiding the students if needed:
Scratch code example
documentation of the final product example
Product Design - Laser Cut Makey Makey & ScratchFinal Product Example
Stage 3: Elaboration (final result presentation & reflection)
- Main objectives of this stage: students are able to present their final result and evaluate their learning process as a reflection
- Description of this stage: in this stage, teachers facilitate the final result presentation & reflection.
- Tools & Materials to be prepared:
- The final result from students
Part 2 - For Students: The Instruction & Learning Material
Stage 1: The introduction
Hi! Is your group ready to start? Watch this video to start your journey. Enjoy!
Now the real journey begins! Read through this instruction to get more on how to accomplish your mission.
Stage 2: The main activity
Get to know and learn more on how to use all the tools provided. It's time to be creative by designing your own musical instruments by using the laser-cut and creating the program through Scratch & Makey Makey.
Don't worry! If you feel you need more guidance, you can find it more through some additional references with assistance from your teacher (Scratch code example & documentation of the final product example)
Stage 3: Elaboration
Are you finished with your own musical instrument? If yes, it's time to show it to the world!