VARK Learning Style

The History of American Jazz

Introduction to Online Teaching and Learning
Instructor: Barbara Mandel, Ph. D.
Governor State University
February 14, 2015

Group 3 Members:
Brenda Killins-Leader
Eileen Brann
LaSheena Fuller
Jamise Frazier

THE HISTORY OF AMERICAN JAZZ USING VARK LEARNING STYLE RESOURCES

Table of Contents
CHAPTER

PAGE

Introduction: History of American Jazz

Visual Learners (Brenda Killins)

3-6

Aural Learners (Eileen Brann)

7-9

Reading and Writing Learners (La Sheena Fuller)

9-11

Kinesthetic Learner (Jamise Frazier)

11-15

References

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THE HISTORY OF AMERICAN JAZZ USING VARK LEARNING STYLE RESOURCES

Introduction
The Jazz was created in the African-American community in the late 1900s and early
20th century. As a difficult genre to describe, Jazz formulated in many parts of the United States
by linking common associations between African American and European associations. Jazz
music encompasses a blend of folk, church, ragtime, and traditional African drumming melody
to New Orleans and can be traced back to the times of slavery. The foundations of jazz combine
work songs and spirituals. As jazz continued to grow around the world, distinctive patterns and
cultures of jazz start to evolve. Scholars refer to jazz as one of Americas original art forms".
The Visual Learner
Visual learners conceive, understand, and process informational concepts by virtue of observing
data using color and symbols represented in pictures, graphs, and maps. Visual images assist the
visualize learner with identification and memorization of facts. In addition, visualize learners
greatly retain data thru a variety of illustrative displays combined with other learning modalities.
Web Resource:
Bio Cube Planning Sheet/Bio Cube--http://www.readwritethink.org/files/resources/interactives/cube_creator/
What is the Bio Cube Planning Sheet and Bio Cube?
The Bio Cube Planning Sheet allows students to collect research and compile data on the
lives, background, and personality of others which allows student to gain powerful informational
insight in devising a visible biographical chart. The Bio Cube Planning Sheet is the gateway to
export the collection of information into a Bio Cube which is a six sided cube used to identify
key information via a biograph cube.

THE HISTORY OF AMERICAN JAZZ USING VARK LEARNING STYLE RESOURCES

Why use Bio Cube Planning Sheets and Bio Cube for the visual learner?
Students using this interactive tool will have the capability of charting summarized data.
Many visual learners find it difficult to organize collected and researched information into a
specific uniform format. The Bio Cube Planning Sheet will help students identify key
information to plot data. Even more, Bio Cube Planning sheets allow the visual learners to
display information from the chart into a biography cube which can be printed, colored, and
customized to reflect biographies or autobiographies.
Bio Cube Planning Sheet and Bio Cube Learning Activity:
Students will collect data, research and compile notes on jazz singers relevant to the
History of American Jazz. Implemented: Students will use the Bio Cube Planning Sheet to
transfer the information from their collection of information onto a chart which will identify key
facts and details.
After the Bio Cube Planning Sheet is complete students will take a complementary visual
pathway to illustrate the biographies of musicians in the History of American Jazz thru clicking
on six numbered blocks and completing responses. The cubes can be printed, folded and taped
onto a form.
Web Resource:
Capzle- http://www.capzles.com/
What is Capzles?
Capzles is an interactive tool students can utilize to create timelines. Students have the option of
exporting pictures, audio or text into the timelines to create a personalize timeline.

THE HISTORY OF AMERICAN JAZZ USING VARK LEARNING STYLE RESOURCES

Why Capzles for the visualize learner?

Visual learners find web-based communication tools highly appealing because they
fundamentally address the need of the visual learner to comprehend, organize and retain data by
creating visual references.
Capzles learning activity:
Students will work in collaborative groups of four to design a Capzles which is a webbased presentation on The history of American Jazz. Students must insert three multimedia
tools within the Capzle, present their Capzle to their class and complete a peer evaluation of each
group Capzle and post the evaluation on a Capzle.
Gradeable Assignment
Students will conduct research and collect data on the History of American Jazz at home
for a period of three weeks. Next students working in collaborative groups of four will use a
poster to devise an outline of how the Capzle will be displayed in terms of time frame and
information.
After students complete the poster outline they will input their data into Capzle to begin
designing a timeline on The History of American Jazz. Students will be given six- 50 minute
periods in the computer lab to design a capsule. Each group must use three multimedia tools to
insert data, picture or audio necessary to devise a timeline. Students are also encouraged to work
over the weekend to complete their projects. Students will receive 20 points for each week of
complete and thorough research collected, 20 points for the poster outline, and 20 points for
creating a Capzule. Each project is worth a total of 100 points.

THE HISTORY OF AMERICAN JAZZ USING VARK LEARNING STYLE RESOURCES

Additional resources:
http://www.dipity.com/
http://www.myhistro.com/
Web Resource:
http://www.pbs.org/jazz/places
What is PBS Jazz Places?
PBS Jazz Places is an interactive site created to examine and showcase the History of
American Jazz by using pictures, print and maps.
Why PBS Jazz Places for visualize learners?
Using PBS Jazz Places, visual learners with the click of a mouse can envision important
dates and events in history. The web resource provides learners with colors photos, specific state
and city map locations of events, and audio clips. This resource is wonderful because it combines
visual, aura and read/write learning styles which greatly increase memory retention.
PBS Learning Activity:
Students will examine specific cities and states where the historical roots of jazz begin.
Students will then match pictures and maps with historical events. In addition, students will add
three additional events in the History of American Jazz by drawing a map, town or city of a
monumental event along with adding a print article of each event.
The Aural Learning Style

THE HISTORY OF AMERICAN JAZZ USING VARK LEARNING STYLE RESOURCES

Although we know that learning style of an individual does not make a difference in that
students success in the online learning environment, the student with an aural learning
preference may not be successful in a print-only learning environment. However, a multi-modal
(audio, video, and text) online environment that is interactive and collaborative would increase
this students chance success (Dabbagh, 2007).
The student with an aural learning style prefers using sound and music. The temporal
lobes of the brain process aural content, and our right temporal lobe is instrumental in processing
music (learning styles online.com). If a students VARK profile shows a preference for the aural
learning style, then the student would benefit from hearing, discussing, and questioning typelearning strategies.
Some examples of learning activities for students with an aural learning style would be
websites that have channels for listening to interviews or music. Students with aural preference
learning styles would also benefit from listening to a guest speaker discuss ideas or explain
information.
Web Resource:
http://listeningreading.blogspot.com/2010/06/history-of-jazz-part-one.html
Learning Activity: Demonstrate an understanding of the history of jazz
The student with an aural preference style of learning may benefit from listening to and
watching this multi-modal presentation on the history of American Jazz. In addition to the audio
portion of the history of jazz, the student also can listen to jazz pieces performed.
Web Resource:

THE HISTORY OF AMERICAN JAZZ USING VARK LEARNING STYLE RESOURCES

https://historyrat.wordpress.com/2009/12/13/the-birth-of-blues-and-jazz-the-original-birth-ofcool/
Learning Activity: Differentiate between two different styles of music: jazz and blues.
Listen to Bessie Smith and Jelly Roll Mortons styles of music. Identify two differences
between the music of those artists and Bessie Smiths song that incorporates elements of both
jazz and blues: Yellowdog Blues.
Rationale:
Students listen to music clips and determine the differences in sound between the two styles of
music. The student with a preference aural learning will benefit from this activity since it
involves listening skills.
Web Resource:
http://www.playjazzguitar.com/forum/
Learning Activity:
Communicate with other jazz fans in an online forum.
Ask two questions and post substantive responses to three posts on the jazz forum. Select
one jazz-related event from the forum in your community and attend to hear jazz in-person.
In the jazz forum, students will communicate with others jazz enthusiasts, and get a calendar of
jazz events that they can attend.
Gradable Learning Assignment:

THE HISTORY OF AMERICAN JAZZ USING VARK LEARNING STYLE RESOURCES

Write five questions (10 points) and interview (10 points) a jazz musician from the jazz
forum or from a local jazz event. Invite students in your group to view the interview that you
conducted, with the permission of the jazz artist. Next, lead a group discussion (10 points) about
the interview in Blackboard collaborate. Provide students with a list of five questions to answer
prior to the group discussion (10 points). Audio record a summary of the groups answers to your
questions and post on Blackboard (5 points).
Web Resource: https://www.rivs.com/
Rivs.com allows students to pre-record their interview questions and let the interviewee
take interviews at their convenience. Although it is currently being used in the workplace to
interview candidates, it appears to have an application to the educational environment. This
activity taps into the aural learning style by using discussion and questioning type-learning
strategies.
The Reading and Writing Learner
Reading and writing learners enjoy viewing print materials or writing information
repeatedly to comprehend information. Learners may prefer taking notes and creating lists to
enhance their learning experience. They also may find reading definitions, reading handouts, and
seeing information written down in different ways more effective for their learning. When
instructors use PowerPoint presentations and Overhead notes, the learner can retain the
information better.
Learning Activity: Students will read the following resources to learn about the History of
American Jazz. Students may also take note of the famous people and special events created
because of jazz.

THE HISTORY OF AMERICAN JAZZ USING VARK LEARNING STYLE RESOURCES

Web Resource:
This is a great essay on the literary tradition of jazz. It explains the origination of jazz and the
people and events that were rooted from jazz.
http://nationalhumanitiescenter.org/tserve/freedom/1917beyond/essays/jazz.htm
Web Resource: This website provides a story form a New Orleans Guide about the Birthplace
of jazz. It tells about how jazz was born in New Orleans from VooDoo rhythms to church music
to the wild, jubilant sound that it is.
http://www.neworleansonline.com/neworleans/music/musichistory/jazzbirthplace.html?notmct=
121&utm_expid=8374182832.k1ozZPbTRy2650MwDOAnzQ.1&utm_referrer=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2Furl
%3Fsa%3Dt%26rct%3Dj%26q%3D%26esrc%3Ds%26source%3Dweb%26cd%3D4%26ved%3
D0CDgQFjAD%26url%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.neworleansonline.com%252Fneworl
eans%252Fmusic%252Fmusichistory%252Fjazzbirthplace.html%26ei%3D3FbYVNyWIoKMN
sTTg7AC%26usg%3DAFQjCNFAMJ1gGUMsamwdRZGf3XYoR1S_uw%26sig2%3DuCFQG
FpJbj_v-_CYXPAcSA%26bvm%3Dbv.85464276%2Cd.eXY
Web Resource:
This is a website article titled, The Social Effects of Jazz, written by Zola Philipp, a student at
York College in Jamaica, NY. Philipp talks about the struggles black musicians had, when jazz
was first developed, in earning their rightful benefit for creating and performing jazz music.
http://www.york.cuny.edu/academics/writing-program/the-york-scholar-1/volume-6.1-fall2009/the-social-effects-of-jazz

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THE HISTORY OF AMERICAN JAZZ USING VARK LEARNING STYLE RESOURCES

Gradeable assignment: Jazz Reflections

The purpose of this assignment is to create learning through writing notes and creating
lists. After reading the three resources for American Jazz History, write a brief synopsis about
how jazz makes you feel and how it is related to your life (15 points).
Within planning for the assignment on a separate sheet of paper provide the following
information:
Create a list of three or four people or events from jazz history that you can relate to your life (5
points).
Take notes on the ways the people or events are in relation to your life (10 points).
Your final assignment should contain two products: a planning sheet and the synopsis (total
points 30).
The Kinesthetic Learner
Kinesthetic learners are students who learn more by utilizing hands-on activities.
Students who favor this style of learning can easily grasp the information presented by making
the most of all of their senses and actually practicing and or simulating the material. Overall,
kinesthetic learners prefer tangible demonstrations of the lessons. However, beware that learners
who learn in this manner, do not like sitting for long periods of time. If the lesson involves
sitting, give students little short break so that they are not easily distracted.
https://www.southwesterncc.edu/sites/default/files/Tutor_Program/Learning%20Styles%20%20VARK.pdf
Web Resource: Smithsonian Folkways: Jazz

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THE HISTORY OF AMERICAN JAZZ USING VARK LEARNING STYLE RESOURCES

http://www.folkways.si.edu/jazz-education-web-site/music/smithsonian
Learning activity:
In this activity, students will pick songs, listen to the whole band or they can choose
specific instruments by moving between the different colored switches utilizing the Smithsonian
Jazz mixer website.
What is Smithsonian Folkways?
Smithsonian Folkways is a website that provides educational materials to help teachers
promote cultural understandings via music. This site provides resources for teachers such as
activities, videos, samples and other valuable features that are available free of charge.
Why is Smithsonian Jazz Mixer appropriate for kinesthetic learners?
This activity allows students the opportunity to hear the different sounds of the
instruments that are a part of a jazz band. They can also click on band members to learn more
about the instrument that they are playing.
Web Resource:
http://www.kidssoup.com/music-instruments/music-instrumentsactivities.html#freemusicactivities
Learning activity:
In this activity, students will able to learn about instruments that are used in jazz music
my playing an interactive music game entitled: Musical Simon Says.
What is Kidssoup?

12

THE HISTORY OF AMERICAN JAZZ USING VARK LEARNING STYLE RESOURCES

Kidssoup is an online resource library, where educators can go to search any subject and find
curriculum resources such as activities, lessons, crafts and printables.
Why is Kidssoup/Music and Movement appropriate for kinesthetic learners?
This specific resource is essential in allowing students who learn in this matter, an
opportunity to play a familiar childrens game of Simeon Says, while incorporating musical
instruments and movements. The students will correlate jazz instruments with specific motions
based on what the chosen leader has established early on.
Web Resource:
http://www-tc.pbskids.org/chuck/jazz_standalone_comp.swf
Learning activity:
This activity involves fun and learning coupled with playing a game entitled Zen and the
Art of Composition: Jazz.
What is Zen and the Art of Composition: Jazz?
This game will allow students to become familiar with the building blocks of Jazz by using items
found in the room to match the musical patterns that they hear.
Why are Zen and the Art of Composition: Jazz game appropriate for kinesthetic learners?
This specific game allows students the opportunity to use many senses by hearing the
sounds of jazz music, then my touching the keyboard on the computer to direct the arrow to the
correct choice sound, and also by viewing the item on the screen that is making the sound that
matches the sound that they previously heard.

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THE HISTORY OF AMERICAN JAZZ USING VARK LEARNING STYLE RESOURCES

Gradeable assignment: Jazz in Many Forms

Students will have previously learned that jazz music can be illustrated in many forms such as
through song, musical instruments and via dance. Each student must put together a creative
three minute presentation, where they can illustrate jazz in the forms listed above. For example,
if the student wanted to illustrate it via song, he/she must sing a song utilizing the jazz harmony.
If student wanted to illustrate jazz through dance, he/she must display jazz dance moves and
rhythm. Lastly, if they would like to illustrate jazz via musical instruments, they must play a
sound that most resembles jazz music. The student must also provide a video recording of the
presentation prior to presenting. This will ensure that all students are utilizing their very own
ideas and not building off of other classmates.
Please note: This lesson will only be assigned to students who would have previously learned
the specific forms and have been provided with examples.

Creativeness

Length 3 min

Form Illustrated

Video Recording

Essay

(5 points)

(5 points)

3 Forms

Quality

Submitted

(5 points)

(5 points)

on time (5
points)

Students

Student

Student

Students

Student

presented in a

presented

illustrated all 3

submitted video

turned in

manner that

within time

forms listed.

recording and it

essay before

was original

allotted.

was of good

deadline.

and creative.

quality. Free of

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THE HISTORY OF AMERICAN JAZZ USING VARK LEARNING STYLE RESOURCES

outside
distractions.
Total=25

References
Cherry, K. VARK Learning Styles: Which learning style do you have?
http://psychology.about.com/od/educationalpsychology/a/vark-learning-styles.htm

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Dabbagh, N. (2007). The online learner: Characteristics and pedagogical implications.

Contemporary Issues in Technology and Teacher Education, 7(3) 217-226.
Shipton, A. (2007). History of jazz Black history in America. Retrieved from Scholastic.com
www.teacher.scholastic.com/activities/bhistory/history_of_jazz.htm
Shipton, A. (2008). A new history of jazz: Revised and updated edition. New York: The
Continuum International Publishing Group Inc.

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