Independent Study Units (ISU) are collections of videos, articles, and lesson ideas from the AOSA Resource Library that grant certificates of completion. These modules offer independent study that fits your own schedule, and each module provides 5 contact hours. Completion of eight modules will earn three graduate credits. You may also complete any three modules for one graduate credit from Ashland University or any five modules for two graduate credits.
Complete these steps to document your work and earn contact hour certificate or graduate credit:
- Complete the units of your choice.
- Complete the Independent Study Unit Reflection form for each completed module. The form includes specific questions related to the material covered and also allows you to select either a contact hour certificate or graduate credit.
- If you are registering for the Ashland graduate credit, you must complete your study prior to registering.
- Send a notice to: [email protected] when you have completed your work and a grade will be posted within two weeks. Transcripts are available within ten days of grades posting.
Note: Contact hours and credit hours are regulated by your local district, state department of education, and university. Prior approval may be required for hours to be acceptable for your district or degree programs. Contact your administration for approval before you begin. If your local district does not allow for clock hours, Ashland University can provide graduate credit instead. AOSA’s Continuing Professional Education provider number for Texas is 902-550.
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List of ISUs
Click on a topic to see the materials that make up each unit of study.
A Sliver of Level II
A glimpse of what to expect in an AOSA Teacher Education Level II Course.
Advocacy – Why Orff Schulwerk?
Articles and videos to assist in building your program, informing your colleagues, parents, and community.
Applying Concepts from Orff Schulwerk Teacher Education Levels in Your Classroom
Orff Process, classroom application of AOSA Levels Courses concepts.
Artistry in the Schulwerk
Ways to expand your own and your students’ artistry using the Orff Schulwerk approach
Beyond Level I
Ideas and extensions to the Level I experience for application in the classroom.
Children’s Literature in the Schulwerk #1
A closer look into how to use Children’s Literature to inspire your music curriculum.
Children’s Literature in the Schulwerk #2
A closer look into how to use Children’s Literature to inspire your music curriculum.
Classroom Management
Concepts, ideas, and applications of classroom management in an Orff Schulwerk classroom.
Creating Large-Scale Performances with Your Students
Are you interested in developing a large-scale performance with your students, but unsure where to start? This ISU shares models that will help you plan lessons and prepare the children to be successful.
Culturally Responsive Teaching Practices
A glimpse into creating a culturally responsive Orff Schulwerk classroom.
Current Trends in Music Education
A compilation of readings covering a variety of topics pertinent to instruction in today’s music classrooms.
Curriculum and Assessment
Direction and ideas on how to build curriculum and assess student progress
Diversity in Children’s Literature
Finding and using children’s literature with a focus on diversity, for use in the music classroom.
Drumming in the Orff Schulwerk Classroom
Using hand drums, congas, bongos, and bucket drumming in the Orff Schulwerk Classroom.
Elementaria
A book study guide and applications for the elementary classroom.
Focusing on Kindergarten Instruction
A glimpse of Orff Schulwerk with your littlest learners.
Implementing Orff Schulwerk in Band, Orchestra, Chorus, and other Fine Arts Disciplines
Explore how Orff Schulwerk benefits middle school, high school, and college students.
Improvisation
Processes and ideas for active improvisation in an Orff Schulwerk classroom.
Jazz and the Schulwerk
Concepts, applications, and ideas for how Jazz is taught and performed in the Orff Schulwerk Classroom.
Movement (Folk Dance)
Processes and ideas for application of Folk Dance in an Orff Schulwerk classroom from a variety of practitioners.
Movement (Historical)
An historical overview of movement in the Orff Schulwerk approach.
Music Therapy and the Schulwerk
This ISU addresses ways in which the Schulwerk can be integrated within a music therapy setting.
Orff Schulwerk and Choir
Ideas and strategies for incorporating Orff Schulwerk into choral settings.
Orff Schulwerk and the Neurodivergent Thinker
A look into how the Orff Schulwerk process benefits neurodivergent students.
Orff Schulwerk in Early Childhood
Concepts, materials, and the application of Orff Schulwerk in the Early Childhood classroom.
Orff Schulwerk Without all the “Stuff”
Barred instruments are a small piece of the Orff Schulwerk pie. This ISU addresses implementing the Schulwerk in your classroom without all of the “stuff.”
Rubrics and Assessment
Assessing in the Orff Schulwerk classroom
Sharing Orff Schulwerk with Your School’s Stakeholders
How to advocate for the joy of ORff Schulwerk in your classroom
Singing in the Schulwerk
Insight and ideas for how singing is an important media when using the Orff Schulwerk approach.
STEM, STEAM, and Collaboration in an Orff Schulwerk Classroom
Using STEM, STEAM, and collaboration in your classroom may not be as hard as you think.
Students with Special Needs
Connections and concepts to engage students with special needs in the Orff Schulwerk classroom.
Teaching Creative Movement
Explore various approaches to utilizing creative movement in the music classroom
Teaching for the Volumes
An exploration into meaningful ways to incorporate the music from The Volumes into your classroom everyday
Teaching Recorder
A deep dive into teaching recorder in the Orff Schulwerk classroom.
The Recorder: History & Pedagogy – Recorder in the Orff Schulwerk Classroom
Rcorder history, getting started, pedagogy for beginners.
The Role of Improvisation in Orff Schulwerk – The why and how of the magic of improvisation in the classroom
The why and how of the magic of improvisation in the classroom.
The Volumes
Insight and application of the role the Volumes play in an Orff Schulwerk classroom.
Uke Can Do It!
Teaching Ukulele in the Orff Schulwerk Classroom
Utilizing Technology in Orff Schulwerk Process
Applications, tools, and ideas for using technology in an Orff Schulwerk classroom.