Many educational settings only offer DEI information through policy documents and as part of termly CPD gatherings. The online course ‘Study and Songs to Support Diversity, Equity and Inclusion’, from Musicbuds, goes far deeper into this complex, often political subject, and encourages us to consider how we might embed our understanding of DEI through teaching music.
Created by Dr Clare Seymour, this course is tailored for teachers, parents, and carers of young children. It serves as a ‘sister’ programme to the original course (designed for educational institutions), offering the same rich DEI content adapted for individual learners. It is self-paced: 24 hours of study over 16 weeks (working out at 90 minutes per week). Participants can optionally submit a brief written DEI exercise to gain CPD accreditation.
The Musicbuds website is user-friendly. The home page contains clear windows to entry, with easy navigation to course options. The description of the course is thorough, and learners are provided with navigation options and careful explanation of the study procedure.
Accessing the course
As Musicbuds highlights, the volume of material can feel overwhelming. Streamlining the content by removing less relevant slides (e.g. ‘Congratulations on downloading the documents’) would help sharpen learner focus and keep us on track. The first two modules, divided into bitesized lessons to accommodate busy professionals, are easy to navigate and ensure steady progress.
The course framework and structure is reassuringly similar throughout all eight modules. With some exceptions, there are plenty of relevant resources, references and literary links – valuable for time-poor educators. Each module includes DEI-specific and song-specific quizzes, based on its content. I love a good quiz, as they help to retain learnt information and prevent study-skimming. The music questions were easy enough for me, but for non-music educators this additional subject knowledge could be a challenge with so much DEI information to absorb.
Songs and modules
All eight modules have specially composed, relatable songs designed for typical nursery and primary settings. The downloadable resources include sheet music, mp3s, mp4s, supportive teaching resources and children's enrichment activities. The music is uplifting and features catchy melodies. The curriculum guidelines offer clear teacher learning aims and objectives in all areas. These are freely downloadable and a thoughtful addition to the course.
In terms of content, Module 1 introduces the definition of DEI, discusses cultural immersion in early childhood, and how children's understanding and responses to differences can be shaped by their environment, peers and loved ones, before offering the chance to reflect on DEI in our own setting.
Module 2 explores the impact of growing up in a culturally limited society on our understanding of other cultures and values, prompting reflection on how upbringing shapes our approach to DEI personally and professionally.
Module 3 discusses micro-aggression and unconscious bias, and how even the most inclusive person – as well as society at large – can make assumptions about another. For all my awareness and respect for different cultural groups, I now realise how easy it is for assumptions to creep in unconsciously at micro-level.
Module 4 provides respite from learning and reading, with YouTube video examples of cross-cultural integration from Yo-Yo Ma's The Silk Road. Learners questioning the relevance of examples unrelated to teaching are missing the point. Ma's project gives us cause for reflection on how music can nurture DEI positively on many levels.
Module 5 discusses the dangers of stereotyping and how the stereotype threat can affect young learners. Ngozi Adichie's Single Story from Module 2 is revisited and analysed (perhaps overly analysed) in the context of her lived story.
Module 6 explains at length the meaning and origin of white privilege and institutional bias. For balance, it would have been useful having more examples of cultural identities and institutional norms and how these relate to our educational settings.
Module 7 explains what empathy is, and how being empathetic can help adults and children to understand, observe, acknowledge and celebrate different characteristics.
The last module discusses external and internal obstacles to diversity before providing realistic strategies that could support learners working with children.
Personal reflection
I was intrigued by the presentation of the different examples of bias in modules 3 and 6. Musicbuds highlights each bias and encourages us to reflect on our own, and on our children's subsequent interactions and responses. It raises the question of whether biases are a part of our human condition as characteristics of self-protection.
My main criticism of the resource is the frequent repetition of instructions (which include ‘Ensure the cursor does not cover the subtitles’). While the option to adjust the vocal speed is helpful, I found the tone of the vocal instruction to be overly measured. The pace and abundance of inclusive study options felt overwhelming at times, but that may be the challenge for online courses striving to reach all groups. That said, there's no disputing Dr Seymour's passion and vast knowledge of the subject, nor the importance of such courses. Supporting young children's journey into creative, unbiased pathways is a continual, positive process of learning and practice.
Study and Songs to Support DEI Awareness
Musicbuds Fee: £297.00 (bursaries are available upon application)
Musicbuds.org
