Nethsinghe Summary

Caitlin Kerr

 Little research into “impact of music education in the home, school and
community” (outcomes of music education)- Asmus 2005 (pg.1)
o Learning music is about more than just simply learning music
o Teaches/develops life skills: communication, creativity etc.

 “We teach who we are”- Willingham 2009 (pg.1)

o We can only teach from our own experiences and skills therefore
our background is important
 Background: different modes of formal, informal, encultured and
immersion music education and the influences that shaped music
learning and teaching practice (pg.1)

 Autoethnography- form of autobiographical personal narrative (pg.2)

 offers insight into how cultures, contexts and teachers can influence
students (pg.2)
o Allows us to consider what we have gained (knowledge and skills)
and improve our learning/teaching by examining ourselves

 Music contributes to identity development- an ongoing process (pg.2)

o Personally, I highly agree with this, whether a musician or not
music has a significant contribution towards identity development

 Musically rich culture in both religion and community contribute to

musical development (pg.3)
o Environment is a significant factor in the development of a
musician
o No access to or support of music - less likely to produce musicians

 Informal learning by observation (pg.4)

 Learn from community of peers (pg.4)
o “pupils unconsciously or semiconsciously pickup skills and
knowledge through watching, imitating and listening to each
other”
o This style of learning helps to broaden a student’s understanding
and ideas through discussion and practice
 Communal learning promotes musical authenticity (pg.5)
 “much of an individual’s music education is, in fact, informal in nature”
Paul and Ballantine 2009 (pg.5)

 “the home environment and its associated factors are the primary
determinants of student learning” Asmus 2005 (pg.5)
o informal learning within home, support
o assists with confidence

 Formal music education

o music “learnt by enculturation and extended immersion in
listening to, watching and imitation the music and the music
making practice”- Green 2008 (pg.6-7)
o variety of experiences and development of skills

 Self-studying/ solitary learning pg.7

o The drive to develop one’s own skill without prompting is a
significant factor in the development of a musician
o A teacher can only teach so much, the student has to promote
their own learning

 Instructing, mentoring, teaching, and facilitating music learning but

never considered being a professional music teacher pg.10
o What makes a professional music teacher?
o Someone who teaches by title?
o Formally recognised?
o Are all those who assist in the development of music learning
music teachers?

 Lifelong learning- formal study to become a teacher (pg.10)

 Lifelong learning is “an important conceptual framework for the
improvement of people’s employability and adaptability”- Smilde 2008
(pg.10)

 Issues noticed as a music teacher: (pg.10)

o Authentic approaches to teach multicultural music in schools
o What constitutes authenticity?
o Lack of professional development for teachers of multicultural
music
 “meaningful arts education practices in schools can enrich the cultural
variety of contemporary and future society”- Joseph 2007 (pg.11)

 Significance of teachers and culture in the formation of future musicians,

teachers and researchers cannot be overstated (pg.11)

 Autoethnography “vehicle to operationalise social constructionist

research and practices that aims to establish trustworthiness and
authenticity”- McIlveen 2008 (pg.11)
 Search for authenticity- development of self-awareness (pg.11)

 Significant parts of a life story actually form a musician’s (professional)

identity, within the concept of lifelong learning, personal and
professional development is closely interconnected”- Smilde 2008
(pg.12)

 “music education is upheld as a way of teaching mutual respect and

intellectual understanding”- O’Neill 2009 (pg.12)
o Teaching music is about more than just teaching music

 Always possible to learn new things and develop existing skills- lifelong
learning (pg.13)