Agile Development Instructional Framework (ADIF) A New Strategy for Student Centered Instruction

This Agile Centered Classroom presents a new framework for music education based on the Agile Development Instructional Framework (ADIF) that provides music students the opportunity to problem-solve, plan, collaborate, and to be accountable for their work in the classroom. It is the realization that each student has the inherent capacity to evaluate, plan, execute, and evaluate a musical experience in a way that is valuable to both the individual and the group.

The Agile Development Instructional Framework (ADIF) A New Strategy for Student-Centered Music Education The recent implementation of new state and national educational standards challenges music educators to evaluate, analyze, and modify traditional classroom rehearsal techniques. This article introduces the Agile Development Instructional Framework (ADIF), a new methodology for music education based on principles of the Agile Development Philosophy. This new educational framework introduces a rehearsal paradigm that values integrative teacher/student collaboration, student initiated and directed small group sectionals, and the choir members’ personal interactions and individual musical growth. The main structure of the program promotes and develops active student-centered learning and collaboration through rehearsal preparation (Sprint Planning), short student-led small group rehearsals (Sprint Sectionals), and performance/skills evaluation (Sprint Assessment). ADIF provides a framework for the implementation of national and local standards, encourages students to develop 21st century interdisciplinary learning skills, and enhances the quality of student participation and concert performance. Keywords: 21st century skills, agile development, backlog list, burndown chart, conductor-facilitator, scrum, scrum master, sprint (iteration), sprint retrospective, student accountability, student collaboration, student-centered learning, subject matter expert, time box.