Simultaneous Learning

Following his recent keynote address, and exploration of Unconditional Teaching, at the SIMTN Conference in Glasgow 2022, join Paul Harris once again as he explores Simultaneous Learning activities and resources.

The Simultaneous Learning Map is a map of our world. More particularly, a map of our musical world! It is a collection of all (or at least most) of the areas that go to make up music. Professional musicians and teachers know this map instinctively – it’s where we live. Most of our pupils don’t… our job is to help them know it too.

Lessons are therefore very much a voyage of discovery around this map. We effortlessly flow from one area to another as a lesson unfolds and at each short stop at an appropriate area, we devise a connected activity. Maybe beginning with a scale (of the piece or song we are teaching) and then we connect with some technique, then notation and then aural and so on, building up a series of sequential and logical activities. This is at the heart of Simultaneous Learning. There is no best route – the next destination is dependent on our pupil’s responses and what we think will enhance and develop the learning most effectively. Having this map on our desk as we teach and encouraging pupils to have one on theirs when they practice, will help to make the learning journey more imaginative, interesting, thoughtful, and musical.

All training is funded by the Scottish Government’s Youth Arts Fund through Creative Scotland with support from Youth Music Initiative and Time to Shine. The Youth Arts Fund ensures creative opportunities for children and young people continue to exist across Scotland despite the COVID-19 pandemic.