scholarly journals Intercultural perspectives on formal and informal Music learning

2011 ◽  
pp. 53-66
Author(s):  
David J. Hargreaves
Keyword(s):  
Education Policy ◽  
Music Education ◽  
Theoretical Models ◽  
International Review ◽  
Music Learning ◽  
Informal Music Learning ◽  
Recent Developments ◽  
Music Education Policy ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Out Of School

This paper reviews some of the changes and developments that have occurred in music education over the last decade, following Hargreaves and North’s (2001) international review. I describe some recent developments in England, in which change has been very rapid, and in which education has had a high political profile, and then consider the three main issues which emerged from our international review, namely curriculum issues; the aims and objectives of music education; and the relationship between music in and out of school. I go on to describe two theoretical models which were developed as a result of my work with the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) in England: these are models of the different opportunities in music education, and of its intended outcomes. The first of these reveals the importance of the differences between formal and informal music learning, both of which can take place inside as well as outside schools. I conclude by reflecting on the power and ubiquity of music in young people’s everyday lives, which mean that music education policy should reflect and capitalize upon this power.

From singular to over-crowded region: Curriculum change in senior secondary school music in New Zealand

2012 ◽  
Vol 29 (3) ◽  
pp. 317-330 ◽  
Author(s):  
Graham McPhail
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Music Curriculum ◽  
Music Learning ◽  
Diverse Range ◽  
Informal Music Learning ◽  
School Music ◽  
Recent Developments ◽  
Curriculum Construction ◽  
Senior Secondary ◽  
The Relationship

This paper discusses recent developments in the senior music curriculum in New Zealand. I suggest that school music is in transition from its clearly defined origins to its ‘regionalisation’ by new content and knowledge. The concepts of knowledge differentiation and verticality are considered in relation to the subject's now diverse range of curriculum segments, and I argue that the varied progression requirements of these segments combined with an ‘emptying out’ of significant aspects of knowledge within an outcomes-based curriculum presents significant challenges for curriculum construction and pedagogy. Also vying for space within the curriculum are elements of informal music learning. These challenges need to be carefully considered in light of recent social realist critiques which highlight the significance of the relationship between knowledge structures, curriculum, pedagogy and student access to powerful knowledge.

Music in our lives: Using the concept of “Bildung” to understand the role of music education policy in England

2019 ◽  
Vol 42 (2) ◽  
pp. 192-207 ◽  
Author(s):  
Egil Bjørnsen ◽  
Jane Woddis
Keyword(s):  
Young People ◽  
Education Policy ◽  
Music Education ◽  
Personal Growth ◽  
Cultural Policy ◽  
Music Pedagogy ◽  
Or Education ◽  
Children And Young People ◽  
Recent Developments ◽  
Music Education Policy

This article considers whether the German concept of “ Bildung”, meaning human personal growth—a term not often used in English debates about culture or education—can help in understanding differing pedagogical and philosophical approaches to recent music education policy in England. It explores connections between two conceptions of Bildung: “object-oriented” and “subject-oriented”; two key approaches to education: “traditional” and “progressive”; and two models of cultural policy: cultural democracy and democratisation of culture, in explaining one of the significant debates in music pedagogy about how to engage children and young people in music education. In considering these questions, the article examines recent developments in the provision of music education in the English school system, particularly the National Plan for Music Education, Music Education Hubs and the independent Musical Futures initiative. We conclude that recent government policies incorporate ideas of the authority of teachers and a musical canon, while other approaches give more priority to children’s own musical references and activity. Our three related theories shed light on this continuing debate about value and engagement in music education, and on the place of children and young people in their musical learning.

The Need for Theory

2019 ◽  
pp. 27-54
Author(s):  
Patrick Schmidt
Keyword(s):  
Education Policy ◽  
Music Education ◽  
Conceptual Design ◽  
Music Education Policy ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Two Sides

This chapter establishes the need for theorizing and explores how policy has been conceptually developed in the literature. It traces the relationship between policy thinking and practice, making the case for how theories developed or employed by scholars are used to help, clarify, justify, and explain practice—not to mystify. Further, it develops the notion of policy knowhow placing it within two sides of the same coin, namely, conceptual design and structured action. Last, the chapter delineates distinctions between traditional and progressive views on policy, exploring how these apply to music education policy scholarship.

Maschine-itivity: How I found my creativity using a digital sampling device to compose music

2016 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 289-313
Author(s):  
Jonathan Kladder
Keyword(s):  
Music Education ◽  
Learning Strategies ◽  
Creative Process ◽  
Contemporary Music ◽  
Music Learning ◽  
Sampling Device ◽  
Digital Sampling ◽  
Informal Music Learning ◽  
Contextual Understanding ◽  
Auto Ethnography

The ubiquity of digital music technology has prompted researchers and scholars to examine how music educators might support music learning that encourages creativity through the use of these mediums. Infusing technology into current curricular offerings offers one avenue in fostering a diversity of music learning experiences for students when teachers are interested in developing creativity in their students. Research examining current practising teachers and their experiences with digital sampling and beat making technology is limited. The purpose of this research was to offer my experiences learning, writing and sharing music using a sampling and beat-making device called the Maschine. This auto-ethnography uses Sawyer’s eight stages of the creative process as the theoretical framework to guide analysis of my creativity. The aims of this research were to: (1) reflect on the creative process involved in making music on a digital sampling and beat-making device; (2) provide a contextual understanding of my challenges and successes along the way; and (3) suggest implications for both current and future music teachers interested in learning to use this type of technology in their music teaching to provide contemporary music making experiences for their students. Results suggest that vernacular and informal music learning strategies were common over the 14-week semester, as YouTube tutorials supported my learning. My creativity occurred in small incremental steps and yielded three completed compositions at the culmination of the project. A conceptual model of the creative process is proposed, outlining the non-linearity of my creative process. Implications for music education are offered in conclusion.

Informal music learning, improvisation and teacher education

2010 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 71-87 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ruth Wright ◽  
Panagiotis Kanellopoulos
Keyword(s):  
Music Education ◽  
Informal Learning ◽  
Student Teachers ◽  
Music Learning ◽  
Teachers Perceptions ◽  
Free Improvisation ◽  
Informal Music Learning ◽  
The Social ◽  
Narrative Methodology ◽  
Communicative Context

This paper1 explores firstly the sense in which improvisation might be conceived of as an informal music education process and, secondly, the effects of a course in free improvisation on student teachers' perceptions in relation to themselves as musicians, music as a school subject and children as musicians. The results of a study conducted in two Greek universities are presented. Using a narrative methodology, examples of data from the reflective diaries or learning journals which 91 trainee teachers kept as part of their participation in an improvisation module are presented and discussed. The argument is made that improvisation, as a particular type of informal music learning process, has an important role to play in fostering the qualities required of teachers to work with informal pedagogies in music education. Furthermore, we would suggest that such musical experiences might gradually lead to the development of a critical perspective on both music education theories and practices. Improvisation might emerge as a moment and a practice of rupture with linearity of progress, working against reification of knowledge and glorification of received information. The findings suggest that improvisation might offer a route for creating an intimate, powerful, evolving dialogue between students' identities as learners, their attitudes towards children and their creative potential, and the interrelationships of the notions of expressive technique and culture, thus becoming ‘an act of transcendence’ (Allsup, 1997, p. 81). We propose that the issue of connecting informal learning and improvisation might be resolved by regarding improvisation as an exemplary case of creating a communicative context where most representations/conceptualisations/struggles to solve problems are left implicit. Such experiences for pupils and teachers alike might further extend the social and personal effectiveness of informal learning as music pedagogy.

Equity and Access in Out-of-School Music Making

2017 ◽  
pp. 502-510
Author(s):  
Kylie Peppler
Keyword(s):  
Music Education ◽  
Informal Learning ◽  
Learning Spaces ◽  
Music Learning ◽  
Equity And Access ◽  
Music Making ◽  
School Music ◽  
Pathways Model ◽  
Recording Studios ◽  
Out Of School

This chapter focuses on the importance of community to both music education and the ways that youth shape their ideas, interests, and identities in music. Musical learning is rarely, if ever, about a learner operating a new musical technology-based tool in isolation. Music is inherently social, and these influences have a great impact upon the development of musical identities. This chapter explores the ways that out-of-school spaces like those in the Computer Clubhouse Network, YOUmedia, and Musical Futures support social music learning by providing private recording studios that allow youth to assume increasingly public roles as musicians, performers, and producers. The chapter also describes how mixing formal, nonformal, and informal learning spaces helps to develop a youth’s musical maturity through what is known as the “progression pathways model.”

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