Through this module students will gain an awareness of Music Education in the UK and have an opportunity to engage with some current issues and practical challenges. It will examine a variety of topical and sometimes contentious issues and practical challenges concerning, for example, music in the National Curriculum; the curriculum in the primary and secondary school; extra-curricular music such as instrumental teaching, composing, arranging and conducting. Psychological perspectives on learning, teaching and creativity will also be addressed. In the first semester the module will be delivered through keynote lectures, seminars and workshops, with student participation in discussions, mini-presentations and group practical tasks. Further workshops and tutorials dedicated to students' chosen project will be arranged as necessary in the second semester. The assessment for the module will be in the form of a project focusing on a chosen area of interest in music education in the form of either a small educational investigation, devising a series of lessons for children of a chosen age, or addressing a practical challenge such as arranging for and conducting a school orchestra.
The content is delivered through keynote lectures and seminars in which: key texts and contentious issues will be analysed and debated; teaching strategies will be explored through a variety of practical tasks and mini investigations with presentation of findings. Supplementary material e.g. links to articles and websites are provided via StudySpace. Lectures and seminars occupy 2 hours per week for 11 weeks. Students are expected to undertake a significant level of independent guided study of hours reading books and articles, engaging in observation of good practice, practical investigation and other work on the chosen project. Tutorial support for assessment preparation will be delivered in office hours. Additional support will be provided for students by the Centre for Academic Support and Employability and Music-dedicated Canvas skills support.
| Definitive UNISTATS Category | Indicative Description | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled learning and teaching | Lectures and seminars | 44 |
| Guided independent study | 256 | |
| Total (number of credits x 10) | 300 | |
The assessment will be based on a chosen area of interest in music education. It will take the form of a project involving either the mounting of a small investigation of a music education issue, or devising a series of lessons focused on teaching specific musical skills to a chosen age group, or composing or arranging for a school orchestra. All chosen routes will be underpinned by the critical appraisal of relevant literature, observation of current practice, devising of appropriate materials or research strategies, and direct engagement with the tasks associated with the area chosen. Summative assessment will involve: a short preliminary presentation (of 10 minutes) to the class of the aims and strategies for the intended project at the beginning of the second semester (20%); a final presentation and one of three types of submission depending on the option chosen (80%):
- for those choosing the research project option: a written paper of 3000 words
- for those choosing the lesson plan option: a four lesson-work scheme, detailed lesson plans and a supporting essay of 1500 words
- for those choosing the composing or arranging option: compositions (5 mins) or arrangements (5 mins) and a supporting essay of 1500 words
Submission for all such options should be illustrated by an accompanying folio of materials such as investigation findings, a scheme of lessons, recordings, arrangements/compositions etc.
The assessment for this module is designed to enable students to demonstrate the learning outcomes in a clearly focused and fully engaged manner.
| Learning Outcome | Assessment Strategy |
|---|---|
| 1) demonstrate awareness and understanding of a range of issues relating to current music education theory and practice | Presentations and written paper |
| 2) engage with and evaluate a range of texts, other materials and observations relating to current music education thought and practice; | Presentations and written paper |
| 3) explore a chosen music education issue using a variety of academic, investigative and practical approaches; | Presentations and written paper |
| 4) show an understanding of the issues surrounding the area of interest and apply this to the execution of tasks appropriate to the chosen project; | Presentations and written paper |
| 5) discuss fluently and informatively in writing and present a with the correct referencing of the work of others. | Presentations and written paper |
| Description of Assessment | Definitive UNISTATS Categories | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| PRC | Presentation 1 | 20 |
| Coursework | Presentation 2 /Written/practical work | 80 |
| Total (to equal 100%) | 100% | |
It IS NOT a requirement that any major assessment category is passed separately in order to achieve an overall pass for the module.
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Government Documents
DEE Music: The National Curriculum for England. (London: HMSO 1999)
The Henley Report (2011)