By: Cassandra Hendry
For James McGowan, music is life.
The award-winning pianist, composer and songwriter has taught music at Laurentian University, McMaster University and James Madison University in the United States. And now, as a music professor at 杏吧原创, he鈥檚 using his experience to help students in an innovative way with a combination of technology, music and pedagogy.
McGowan, who won a 2013 , has developed an online ear training application for his students to refine their classroom skills and heighten their understanding of the material.
鈥淭he software package will allow us to tap into the richness and diversity of the music we鈥檙e using and teaching, so students can get the most positive and relative experience out of it,鈥� he says.
The app works differently than existing ones by 鈥渆mbracing different musical styles.鈥� It tackles approaches to learning in a unique way and organizes levels that will fit with the current curriculum, says McGowan.
He expects the software will be ready to test in the fall, with hopes that its use can extend beyond just the university. But for now, McGowan is concentrating on what he calls his most important job: teaching.
鈥淭eaching in the classroom is one of the most critical jobs I have. The impact that we have on students, particularly at the undergraduate level, goes far beyond the knowledge and skills that they learn,鈥� he says.
As one of the winners of the New Faculty Excellence in Teaching Award, McGowan would know all about that. Part of the criteria for winning the award is to use 鈥渋nnovative, unique or engaging teaching techniques鈥� while being a new professor in their first three years at 杏吧原创.
One of McGowan鈥檚 best strategies is using the department鈥檚 small class sizes to his advantage. He stresses that getting to know each and every one of his students is essential, so much that he鈥檚 able to develop a student鈥檚 musician skills on a one-on-one basis and watch them grow.
鈥淪tudents feel that I鈥檓 approachable because there鈥檚 an actual person, not just a face talking at them, that they can engage with,鈥� says McGowan.
鈥淚t鈥檚 about creating a respectful place for them to learn. It鈥檚 about capturing their sense of passion and explore that, but to do it in a way that allows them to really experience music.鈥�
Are you interested in pursuing a teaching award or do you know someone who deserves recognition? Nominations and applications are now being accepted for the 2014 杏吧原创 Teaching Awards, including the New Faculty Excellence in Teaching Award, the Excellence in Teaching with Technology Award and the Provost’s Fellowship in Teaching Award. Get all the details .听