I completed my assignments and posted them to the course site and the sound files to Soundcloud but then completely forgot that I had to grade 5 other students; until about half an hour before the deadline. I also hadn't quite twigged that we were supposed to write as much for the feedback as we had for the written assignment, as each was an analysis of a solo. I thought the written assignment was hard but this was even harder, especially for beginners. I’m not sure a I really have the knowledge or vocabulary to do this. I think this is a really interesting and powerful way of learning, with the critical analysis of each other’s work being a major part of learning, but in this context I think it is a bit in at the deep end, especially as the next assignment is to play around with some scales rather than a full blown solo and analysis.
Initially some students thought that the first assignment was an audition piece and that Gary Burton would listen to them all and put us in groups according to our ability, much like a Jazz summer school. It is slowly dawning on some people that the man himself is likely to only listen to a few if any of the thousands of assignments and that it is up to each of us to listen, critique and encourage each other. In the end I went thought the assignments and graded (sorry that should be marked – I've gone native!) them the best I could in the time I had. I must have missed something though as I was marked down 20% for not completing the full grading. I’m not sure what I did or didn't do but it took my mark down to just below the pass mark and there is no comeback. In Coursera world a fail is a fail so suck it up. I’m not really interested in the mark but if I was, I wouldn't be a very happy trumpet player.
Something else I've noticed is how good some of the musicians are. Some are good musicians but new to Jazz but several are experienced jazzers and even Berklee graduates. The might be useful for marking other students but are pretty daunting for newbies that feel their work is up against them. This seems to follow from reports that a high proportion of the students in Coursera and the like are already graduates. You have to be a pretty confident, independent learner in Coursera world. Not quite opening up education to the masses eh Dr Koller?
Only two days until I have to submit the next assignment and the week 3 videos are already out. I’ll try not to collect another penalty this week.
