Based on the last post of my lesson plan, here are the learning theories I’ve used:

  1. Universal Design for Learning (UDL): My lesson plan promotes UDL by providing multiple means of representation. Specifically, I use different media to help students learn the choral piece. For instance, I use audio and the display screen to play music for the students and give them a general view of what they are going to learn and what are some of the outcomes of their learning. In addition, I use the piano to play the accompaniment and I use the microphone to lead a chorus.
  2. Social Cultural Theory: Vygotsky’s “zone of proximal development” (ZPD) theory influenced my lesson plan. According to Vygotsky, we should pay attention to what a group of students can already do and what they could then do if they had the help of someone/something with a bit more knowledge or experience. In my third activity provided in the lesson plan, I invited senior students to assist the teacher and impart their previous singing experiences to the students. With the help and scaffolding of those senior students and teachers, the students can tackle many issues they might meet in the process of learning a new piece and learn the song more efficiently.
  3. Appropriate use of technology: I use an online poll in the introductory activity and it shows an appropriate use of technology. It would be easier if I only let students hand up to vote for their favourite choral piece, but there is a problem with conformity (e.g., they might feel obliged to vote for a song just because most of the students vote for that song). Using an online poll can help avoid this problem by showing up the result after all students’ participation, thus it allows students to vote more freely and get an opportunity to speak out their own opinions.