Nurturing a new generation of teachers.(Pedagogy Friday: Exploring Evaluation and Assessment)

The subject of teacher training was a recurring theme throughout the collaborative conference. In this session, Janet Lopinski and Jennifer Snow presented an interactive and engaging presentation that focused on the RCM Examinations Piano Pedagogy Certificate Program.

The session was very well attended with an enthusiastic and interested audience from both sides of the border. The clinicians began by providing an overview of the general goals and curriculum structure of the program, as well as outlining the requirements for all three levels of the program: elementary, intermediate and advanced, culminating with the ARCT Teachers Diploma. The elementary level specifically addresses issues of piano pedagogy in the context of teaching beginners and students at the RCM levels 1 and 2, while the intermediate level proceeds to teaching issues related to levels 3-6 and advanced to levels 7-10. The components of each certificate include a practical co-requisite (RCM grades 9, 10 and ARCT), written examination and interactive Viva Voce examination. The participants received an addendum to the 2001 Piano Syllabus in booklet form documenting the specific requirements for each level for future reference and to allow for an in-depth view of this successful and innovative new program. This document lists specific topics to be prepared for each level, including general pedagogical topics, technical matters, ear ...