en:didaktik:differenzierung

Defining Levels

Beginner: A student at this level is brand-new to the ukulele. He/she has perhaps learned one to three chords but stops in-between chord changes to move the fingers to the next location.
Advanced beginner (optional level): A student at this level knows a handful of chords and can move from one chord to another without pausing. Student may have trouble with, say, the B-flat chord shape (the C chord in D6 Tuning). Student has learned a strum or two and/or a finger pattern for picking.
Intermediate: A student at this level can hold a steady rhythm and is competent with a variety of basic chords. Understands simple chord progressions (such as I, IV, V chords), can sing and strum at the same time, and learns chords to simple tunes fairly quickly.
Advanced: A student at this level can hear I, IV, and V chords, has mastered some chord inversions, knows there is life above the fifth Bund, and has been there with bar (chord) or 4-fingered closed chords. Plays lead and backup easily with others and keeps steady rhythm.

Felipe Sequeria1)

Thinking Bottom-Up

My advice [to other teachers] would be to try to take a step back, look at what the more beginner students can do and focus on that. What can you do with that group by expanding something that will still make it interesting for the others? You cannot go from the top because that won't work. So you have to focus on what the less experienced kids can do and then create something that will make it interesting.

Roy Sakuma2)

Challenging

Many people teach to the level of the student. What I mean by that is they only teach what the student can handle „right now.“ So the student goes home doing exactly what they already know how to do. I always try to give them a little more; if they're a level one I try to teach at a level one-and-a-half. I always give them a little challenge, a little push. I find if I give them stuff that they can already do they get bored really quickly.

Felipe Sequeria3)

Assessing

Learning outcomes, stated in measurable terms (e.g. „identify diatonic intervals in the key of C, ascending and descending from any note on the scale“), … may be assessed against descriptors within a given achievement framework (e.g. „Not Yet Within Expectations“, „Minimally Meets Expectations,“ „Fully Meets Expectations,“ „Exceeds Expectations,“ or similar frameworks). The authors believe that these learning outcomes … will significantly assist teachers … to assess student progress and achievement on a continuous basis.

James Hill, Chalmers Doane4)

Self-Assessment

Questionnaire

Self-Assessment

Sight reading
1: I find it difficult at all to read the score while playing.
2: When I lose my orientation while playing the score, I find it hard to find the right spot again.
3: When I lose orientation while playing the score, I listen in and find the right spot again.
4: I can follow the score while playing and always know where we are.
Tempo
1: I find it difficult to keep tempo at all.
2: Sometimes I slow down or faster while playing.
3: I can keep a steady pace when I'm interacting with others.
4: I can keep a steady pace, even if I play alone.
Chords
1: It's hard for me to grab chords at all.
2: I know some chords and can slowly switch between them.
3: I know all the important chords and can switch between them with practice.
4: I know all the important chords and can quickly switch between them.
Strumming
1: I find it difficult to play a strum pattern at all.
2: I can keep a strum pattern when I play with others.
3: I can keep a strum pattern when I hear someone play it.
4: I can keep a strum pattern even if I play alone.
Melody play
1: I find it difficult to play a melody at all.
2: I can play the melody slowly.
3: I can play the melody smoothly when I play with others.
4: I can play the melody fluently, even if I play alone.

after Marty Gross5)

Download PDF

Self-Assessment

Results
5–7 points

Beginner

8–12 points

Advanced beginner

13–17 points

Intermediate

18–20 points

Advanced


1)
How To Organize A Ukulele Festival, in: Ukulele Yes!, 1.9.2019
2)
Ukulele Yes!, 1.9.2008
3)
Ukulele Yes!, 1.9.2010
4)
Ukukele in the Classroom. Teacher Edition, t. 1. Chrystal Lake Media 2009, x