If you've ever wondered what students can do independently while you're teaching another lesson, this episode is for you. I'm sharing a training from one of our TopMusicPro group teaching courses, where Nicola Cantan introduces the concept of "lab time"— a simple but powerful way to keep students engaged in meaningful, independent learning. Whether you're already experimenting with overlapping lessons or just curious about group teaching, this episode will give you plenty of practical ideas to explore.
Tim introduces lab time as a key strategy for successful overlapping lessons.
Nicola Cantan explains how lab time supports purposeful independent learning.
Lab stations can include iPads, digital pianos, games, theory books, or computers.
Students use lab time while another student receives individual instruction.
Lab activities reinforce lesson concepts through additional guided practice.
Independent work is best suited to students who can read and follow directions.
Nicola recommends using headphones, MIDI-enabled apps, and durable equipment.
Teachers can charge a small additional fee to cover equipment and software costs.
Lab time helps build student independence while increasing studio efficiency.
Tim encourages teachers to start small by adding a short lab session to one lesson.
Consider implementing the ideas from this podcast by writing several actionable steps for your teaching practice if it’s inspired you. If you enjoyed today’s show, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, which helps other teachers find our show. Stay updated by subscribing to this show, and get automatic delivery to your device every time a new episode goes live! We publish on Mondays weekly.
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