EDF5653 - Research perspectives in music education - 2018

This unit develops in music educators the ability to inquire into their practice. It supports them to understand the place of research as a dimension of professional practice and to design approaches to enact this. Current and diverse approaches to research in music education across contexts such as school music, music teacher training, tertiary music teaching, instrumental music teaching, early childhood music, informal music learning and lifelong learning in music are examined. This includes the range of research methodologies that are utilised and the nature of findings generated. In this way, students develop their capacities to evaluate various dimensions of music research across contexts. Students design an approach to inquire into a music context of their choice and develop a plan that explains and justifies a particular methodology to assist them to inquire into their professional practice.

Upon successful completion of this unit students should be able to:

1. demonstrate an understanding of current issues and approaches used in music education research
2. understand a range of methodologies employed in music education research
3. evaluate the effectiveness of particular methodologies for their relevance to specific music contexts
4. critically scrutinise research in music education and the findings it generates
5. identify an area of professional practice in music education around which to plan research
6. develop a plan to research in an area of personal interest in music education.

Essay (4000 words, 50%)

Inquiry plan (4000 words, 50%)

Flexible mode offers a stand-alone online offering that allows students to learn and engage in content and assessment in a supported way. It also provides a face-to-face component of 12 hours over the semester to engage students with the online learning content, which students can attend if they are able and interested.

Minimum total expected workload equals 288 hours per semester comprising:

1. Contact hours for flexible students:
   • 12 contact hours and 24 hours equivalent of online activities over the semester or
   • 36 hours equivalent of online activities over the semester
2. Additional requirements (all students):
   • independent study to meet the minimum required hours per semester

See also Unit timetable information

Expert teaching practice

General education studies