ARTSEDGE: The Kitchen Sink

Motown historian Harry Weinger and Questlove of The Roots dig deeper into Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Going On.” They talk about synesthesia, raw harmonies, and avoiding the "perfect" Motown fade. More at whatsgoingonnow.org.

Sit at the mixing console with Motown historian Harry Weinger and Questlove of The Roots as they unpack Marvin Gaye’s chart-topping hit, “What’s Going On.” They explore how the instruments were combined to form the song’s unique sound, and even discover a few surprises in the mix. More at whatsgoingonnow.org.

Garry looks ahead to the future of how we will interact with technology using natural user interfaces, like Microsoft's Kinect, Apple's Siri, and IBM's Watson. He talks about how movement-based interfaces like Kinect are rapidly finding their way into arts education, and how conversation-based personal assistants like Watson are already having an impact in the workplace (and the future they offer for educators).

Garry discusses the challenge of effecting change, reviews the current state of self-directed learning, and suggests a future that includes learning management systems. He talks about the importance of the opportunities created by placing a higher value on sentiment analysis, predictive vs. prescriptive data, creating curriculum in a digital environment, and the impact of software on the role of teachers.

Garry discusses arts-influenced changes in the workplace, the opportunities created by social networks and open source engineering, the importance of critical thinking, and the value of both left and right-brain experiences. He talks about the need for students to develop an online portfolio, along with the challenge of managing a balance between transparency and privacy. He then shares a personal experience about a young artist using digital tools and self-directed learning to create music.

Garry outlines the evolving role of the teacher in a dynamic arts education landscape, including the challenge of the widening knowledge gap around student-accessible digital tools. He stresses the importance of educator involvement in online peer-to-peer social networks, following leading-edge thinkers, and professional development through exploring beyond one's own discipline.

Garry speaks about his personal experiences with arts education and his work in the field of millennial studies. Building upon the accepted value of arts experiences in schools, he talks about the importance of the “third-place” as an opportunity for arts experiences and life-long learning.

You probably know about Francis Scott Key’s inspired poetry, drafted during the bombing of Fort McHenry in Baltimore, but where did the music come from? Is there a really a law that requires Americans to stand when it is played? Can it be sung in other languages?

In the final part of this interview, Diane talks about the role of teachers and families in education, as well as her personal experiences with the arts.

Farai takes the bass, tone and slap from the first lesson and teaches the West African fanga rhythm. For more on world music, visit artsedge.kennedy-center.org.