Guitar 2A

Course Description:

Are you ready to take your guitar playing to the next level? Whether you want to play guitar for your family and friends, desire to be a professional performer, or just love playing music, this course is a great place to continue your journey towards musical excellence. You will build on the fundamentals of music and the basic skills necessary to play a wide variety of music styles. Student guides, Carlos and Ariel, will guide you through each step of this journey towards becoming a skilled guitarist and musician. This course can be used as a performing/fine arts credit to meet the requirements for certain high school graduation tracks.

Course Details:

Course Title (District): Guitar 2A
Course Title (NCES SCED) : Guitar
Course Provider : Michigan Virtual
Content Provided By : Method Teacher
Online Instructor Provided By : Michigan Virtual
Standards Addressed : Michigan Merit Curriculum, National Core Arts Standards
Alignment Document : https://docs.google.com/document/d/1bV9chPkcF85Fqibtd4Dm3FBovWgX6QWYpSkgVc1W9Lc/edit?usp=sharing
Academic Terms : Semester, Trimester, Accelerated, Open Entry / Fixed End
NCES SCED Code : 05108
Subject Area : Fine and Performing Arts
Course Identifier : Guitar
Course Level : High School (Secondary)
Available Credit : 0.5
Sequence : 1 of 2

How To Enroll:

Enrollment Website : https://slp.michiganvirtual.org/
Email : [email protected]
Phone : (888) 889-2840

Students and Parents: It is important to work closely with your local school counselor or registrar to follow the school's enrollment procedures. By clicking the "Start Registration Request" button below, you will be able to notify the school of your interest in registering for the online course. However, it is the responsibility of the district or school to review the registration request and approve or deny the request. Please make a note to follow up with your school after submitting a registration request.

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Additional Course Information:

Additional Cost: $0.0

Additional Cost Description: You will need a playable six-string guitar and a way to record and submit a video performance to your instructor. A guitar is “playable” if it is the correct size for the guitarist, is easy to press the strings down against the frets, and plays in tune up and down the fretboard. There are three common types of six-string guitars: classical, steel string, and electric. If you do not already have a guitar, you may want to seek the advice of an experienced guitarist, a guitar teacher, or your local music store. Most guitars are built to be played right-handed, so that the right hand would pluck the strings and the left hand would press the strings down against the frets. Many left-handed guitarists play right-handed guitars. Many guitarists and teachers recommend that left-handed students try playing on a right-handed guitar when first learning. There are some guitars available that are built to be played left-handed. This course is taught using a right-handed guitar. Students choosing to use a left-handed guitar will need to adjust accordingly.

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to...
  • Module 01
    • Identify common guitar types, basic guitar parts, and ways to care for your guitar.
    • Understand how to hold the guitar, tune your guitar, and use proper form with your right and left hands to play the guitar.
    • Identify three forms of notation; standard music notation, tablature, and fretboard diagrams.
    • Play new drills using shifting and string-crossing techniques.
    • Understand basic music theory concepts, including half steps, whole steps, keys, key signatures, and the circle of fifths.
    • Identify and play a variety of pentatonic scales, blues scales, major scales, and modes on the guitar.
    • Strum chord progressions in guitar-friendly keys.
    • Identify chord quality by listening.
    • Improvise over a power chord progression.
    • Read and play rhythm studies in 4/4, 3/4, and 2/4 time.
    • Read and play melodies in first position using standard music notation.
  • Module 02
    • Identify and play notes on the sixth, fifth, and fourth strings up to the twelfth fret.
    • Identify and play movable pentatonic scales and movable blues scales.
    • Understand and play melodic intervals on the sixth, fifth, and fourth strings.
    • Identify and play movable power chords using the sixth and fifth strings and the fifth and fourth strings.
    • Play 12-bar blues chord progressions in the keys of A, G, and D.
    • Improvise a chord accompaniment to a blues solo.
  • Module 03
    • Read and play scales in the keys of A major, E major, A natural minor, A harmonic minor, A melodic minor, E natural minor, E harmonic minor, and E melodic minor.
    • Build triads, power chords, and seventh chords in the keys of A major, E major, A minor, and E minor.
    • Play the A major, B dominant seventh, and D minor chords.
    • Play primary chords in the keys of A major, E major, A minor, and E minor.
  • Module 04
    • Read and play syncopated strum patterns.
    • Play the I-vi-IV-V7 chord progression in the key of G major.
    • Play a variety of right-hand finger techniques.
    • Read and play right-hand finger patterns.
    • Play a classical guitar solo.

iNACOL National Standards for Quality Online Courses

Academic Content Standards and Assessments Rating Comments
The goals and objectives clearly state what the participants will know or be able to do at the end of the course. The goals and objectives are measurable in multiple ways. Fully Met Learning objectives listed in the module overview for each lesson.
The course content and assignments are aligned with the state’s content standards, Common Core curriculum, or other accepted content standards set for Advanced Placement® courses, technology, computer science, or other courses whose content is not included in the state standards. Fully Met
The course content and assignments are of sufficient rigor, depth and breadth to teach the standards being addressed. Fully Met
Information literacy and communication skills are incorporated and taught as an integral part of the curriculum. Partially Met
Multiple learning resources and materials to increase student success are available to students before the course begins. Fully Met Students can review information located in the Getting Started tab which includes a welcome letter and student orientation information.
Course Overview and Introduction Rating Comments
Clear, complete course overview and syllabus are included in the course. Fully Met
Course requirements are consistent with course goals, are representative of the scope of the course and are clearly stated. Fully Met
Information is provided to students, parents and mentors on how to communicate with the online instructor and course provider. Fully Met Provided in the Michigan Virtual Brightspace learning management system (LMS).
Legal and Acceptable Use Policies Rating Comments
The course reflects multi-cultural education, and the content is accurate, current and free of bias or advertising. Fully Met
Expectations for academic integrity, use of copyrighted materials, plagiarism and netiquette (Internet etiquette) regarding lesson activities, discussions, and e-mail communications are clearly stated. Fully Met Provided in the Michigan Virtual Brightspace learning management system (LMS).
Privacy policies are clearly stated. Fully Met Provided in the Michigan Virtual Brightspace learning management system (LMS).
Instructor Resources Rating Comments
Online instructor resources and notes are included. Fully Met
Assessment and assignment answers and explanations are included. Partially Met Answer key consists of mostly assignment directions and rubrics (material already in the course). The course would be strengthened from sample answers or examples for the instructor.
Instructional and Audience Analysis Rating Comments
Course design reflects a clear understanding of all students’ needs and incorporates varied ways to learn and master the curriculum. Fully Met Objectives are clearly stated and a variety of different techniques for learners are provided(visual, audio, text)
Course, Unit and Lesson Design Rating Comments
The course is organized by units and lessons that fall into a logical sequence. Each unit and lesson includes an overview describing objectives, activities, assignments, assessments, and resources to provide multiple learning opportunities for students to master the content. Fully Met There is a consistent flow of material presented to students. Assignments match the objectives and a variety of different assessment options to check for understanding are included. The course follows a basic overview and sequence in how to play guitar. The practice activities and assessments are sequenced appropriately.
Instructional Strategies and Activities Rating Comments
The course instruction includes activities that engage students in active learning. Fully Met
The course and course instructor provide students with multiple learning paths, based on student needs that engage students in a variety of ways. Fully Met Multiple opportunities in different forms (visual, audio and text) are provided to engage students.
The course provides opportunities for students to engage in higher-order thinking, critical reasoning activities and thinking in increasingly complex ways. Fully Met
The course provides options for the instructor to adapt learning activities to accommodate students’ needs. Fully Met
Readability levels, written language assignments and mathematical requirements are appropriate for the course content and grade-level expectations. Fully Met
Communication and Interaction Rating Comments
The course design provides opportunities for appropriate instructor-student interaction, including opportunities for timely and frequent feedback about student progress. Fully Met
The course design includes explicit communication/activities (both before and during the first week of the course) that confirms whether students are engaged and are progressing through the course. The instructor will follow program guidelines to address non-responsive students. Fully Met Michigan Virtual instructor guidelines ensure such interaction through welcome letters, instructor introductions, and regular progress reporting.
The course provides opportunities for appropriate instructor-student and student-student interaction to foster mastery and application of the material. Partially Met The course would benefit from student-student interaction opportunities, such as sharing video of each other playing and providing peer-to-peer feedback.
Resources and Materials Rating Comments
Students have access to resources that enrich the course content. Fully Met
Evaluation Strategies Rating Comments
Student evaluation strategies are consistent with course goals and objectives, are representative of the scope of the course and are clearly stated. Fully Met
The course structure includes adequate and appropriate methods and procedures to assess students’ mastery of content. Fully Met
Feedback Rating Comments
Ongoing, varied, and frequent assessments are conducted throughout the course to inform instruction. Fully Met Frequent and varied assessments occur throughout the course in the form of tests/quizzes, teacher/student discussions and rubric feedback for writing and demonstration assignments.
Assessment strategies and tools make the student continuously aware of his/her progress in class and mastery of the content. Fully Met
Assessment Resources and Materials Rating Comments
Assessment materials provide the instructor with the flexibility to assess students in a variety of ways. Fully Met
Grading rubrics are provided to the instructor and may be shared with students. Fully Met
The grading policy and practices are easy to understand. Fully Met A grading policy was not included in the course content as it is received from the content provider, but each instructor is able to provide their policy/practices within the course or welcome letter.
Course Architecture Rating Comments
The course architecture permits the online instructor to add content, activities and assessments to extend learning opportunities. Fully Met
The course accommodates multiple school calendars; e.g., block, 4X4 and traditional schedules. Fully Met The calendar within the learning management system permits adjustments to the pacing guides, though Michigan Virtual has established start and end dates for fall, spring, summer, and trimester enrollment terms.
User Interface Rating Comments
Clear and consistent navigation is present throughout the course. Fully Met
Rich media are provided in multiple formats for ease of use and access in order to address diverse student needs. Fully Met
Technology Requirements and Interoperability Rating Comments
All technology requirements (including hardware, browser, software, etc...) are specified. Fully Met Communicated in the syllabus, the Michigan Virtual website, and the Brightspace LMS.
Prerequisite skills in the use of technology are identified. Fully Met
The course uses content-specific tools and software appropriately. Fully Met
The course is designed to meet internationally recognized interoperability standards. Fully Met
Copyright and licensing status, including permission to share where applicable, is clearly stated and easily found. Fully Met Communicated within the Michigan Virtual Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) through the website and the LMS.
Accessibility Rating Comments
Course materials and activities are designed to provide appropriate access to all students. The course, developed with universal design principles in mind, conforms to the U.S. Section 504 and Section 508 provisions for electronic and information technology as well as the W3C’s Web Content Accessibility guidelines (WCAg 2.0). Fully Met
Data Security Rating Comments
Student information remains confidential, as required by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). Fully Met Course is password protected; the privacy policy is communicated in the Brightspace LMS.
Accessing Course Effectiveness Rating Comments
The course is evaluated using a continuous improvement cycle for effectiveness and the findings used as a basis for improvement. Fully Met
The course provider uses multiple ways of assessing course effectiveness. Fully Met Students have the ability to rate the lesson as completed and provide an evaluation of the course experience and support in an end-of-course survey. Michigan Virtual also has access to additional data regarding student success and satisfaction with courses.
Course Updates Rating Comments
The course is updated periodically to ensure that the content is current. Fully Met
Instructor and Student Support Rating Comments
Course instructors, whether face-to-face or virtual, have been provided professional development in the behavioral, social, and when necessary, emotional, aspects of the learning environment. Fully Met
Course instructors, whether face-to-face or virtual, receive instructor professional development, which includes the support and use of a variety of communication modes to stimulate student engagement online. Fully Met
The provider assures that course instructors, whether face-to-face or virtual, are provided support, as needed, to ensure their effectiveness and success in meeting the needs of online students. Fully Met
Professional development about the online course delivery system is offered by the provider to assure effective use of the courseware and various instructional media available. Fully Met Michigan Virtual instructors complete an onboarding course prior to teaching, annual professional development and conference attendance, participate in monthly department meetings, and are provided online resources for various instructional media.
The course provider offers technical support and course management assistance to students, the course instructor, and the school coordinator. Fully Met Michigan Virtual instructors have access to the Michigan Virtual Knowledge Base with tutorials to assist them as well as a technical support ticketing system to request additional support for technical issues in a course. Students also have a Customer Care center that offers technical support and course management assistance.
Students are offered an orientation for taking an online course before starting the coursework. Fully Met Students are offered Michigan Virtual-specific orientation lessons and activites within all courses in addition to the Strategies for Online Success lessons located on the Michigan Virtual website for students with no prior experience in taking an online course, https://michiganvirtual.org/resources/sos/.
Certification Rating Comments
Course instructors, whether faceto-face or virtual, are certificated and “highly qualified.” The online course teacher possesses a teaching credential from a state-licensing agency and is “highly qualified” as defined under ESEA. Fully Met All Michigan Virtual instructors are certified in the state of Michigan, endorsed within their assigned content areas and grade levels, and highly qualified under state and federal guidelines.

Review Conducted By: Michigan Virtual
Date of Review: 07/07/2020

Module 1: Guitar and Music Essentials


Module 2: Rock and Blues Legends


Module 3: Expanding Your Chord Skills


Module 4: Expanding Your Accompaniment Skills

Term Type Enrollment Opens Enrollment Ends Random Draw Date Enrollment Drop Date Course Starts Course Ends # of Seats Course Fee Potential Additional Costs
Drop Policy Completion Policy Term Type Enrollment Opens Enrollment Ends
Students can use email or the private message system within the Student Learning Portal to access highly qualified teachers when they need instructor assistance. Students will also receive feedback on their work inside the learning management system. The Instructor Info area of their course may describe additional communication options.
School Year Enrollment Count Pass Count Completion Rate Notes
23-24 9 7 77.78%
22-23 6 6 100.0%
21-22 12 11 91.67%
Students will require a computer device with headphones, a microphone, webcam, up-to-date Chrome Web Browser, and access to YouTube. Students will need a means of video recording themselves and sharing the video file or link to the recording for instructors to view.

Please review the Michigan Virtual Technology Requirements: https://michiganvirtual.org/about/support/knowledge-base/technical-requirements/