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constructively, competition can improve a student's enthusiasm
and motivation for work in music. Entering competitions has
the potential to stimulate students to try their best; however,
the thoughtfulness and quality of student work will suffer if
competition is valued above all else, without emphasis on the
importance of individual growth and personal goals in the context
of learning the Music TEKS.
The
following questions can be used by music educators and program
developers as guidelines to evaluate different types of competition.
- Is
the student learning the activity's primary goal?
- Are
the rules and criteria for judging aligned with the standards
outlined in the TEKS and the local curriculum?
- Will
the competition challenge students too far beyond their
current range of skill and understanding, causing them to
neglect their process creative development?
Ultimately,
each teacher's approach to competition determines the value
of competitive experiences. Competition can be a tool for
engaging students in learning, if teachers take time to choose
activities and events that support the goals and skill levels
of their students.
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