Strategy for my target audience

For this reflection I chose to focus on gifted and talented students. In any classroom one can find a variety of learning styles. Since more instruction time is given in a regular classroom, it is important for the fine arts to present material in a variety of ways to encompass all learning types. This is particularly challenging due to the minimal time that we have to meet with our students. (At my previous position, I only had them once a week.) To ensure that all students understand and apply the concepts being taught, the pace is not always as fast as a gifted and talented student desires. Although, there are things that I can do to prevent any boredom or behavioral issues from occurring with these students. In "Technology and the Diverse Learner" it discusses "extension technologies" that help support these students. Instead of a "drill and practice" approach (which is needed for some learners) this strategy focuses on the creativity and exploration for the student. The world wide web is given as an example for this strategy. This tool can help those students guide their own exploration and make new connection to the subject matter. Multimedia technologies is also used as another example in the book. Instead of the student just watching a technological presentation they should be encouraged to create their own which will allow them to gain additional knowledge and connect content with the subject matter at hand. (This strategy is found on page 50-51 of "Technology and the Diverse Learner." ) In my classroom, I need to give more opportunities for those students to create more, whether it's a composition piece, rhythmic body percussion, or instrument playing. I need to be able to recognize those students and be prepared to let them explore their creativity in my music classroom.