Autonomy and ownership – digital music tools enhance autonomy and musical creativity for children in need of special support: The 22nd annual conference of the Nordic Network for Research in Music Education March 14-16 2017

Research output: Contribution to conferenceAbstractpeer-review

Abstract

This presentation highlights results from an action research project in a Swedish primary school. The aim of the project is to investigate digitally-based musical settings with young children in need of special support. Various digital-based music instruments were used to facilitate performing, creating and learning music, alone or in small groups. The theoretical background of the project is found in sociocultural educational theories, health theories and musicology. To engage in musicking is to take part in any kind of musical event such as performing, listening, practicing or providing material for musical activities. The Zone of Proximal Development describes how the learner with guidance can improve his or her social interaction with more competent peers. Physical and psychological tools mediate the world to individuals engaged in practical activities such as musicking. The research method is inspired by ethnographical methods and performed in collaboration between a music educator and the researcher. Data was collected mainly through participant observations, field notes, audio and video recordings. Preliminary results of the study demonstrate that even very young children quickly learn how to use digitally-based instruments for playing and creating music. Open-ended apps seemed to catch the participants’ interest, whereas in some cases they soon lost interest in ready-made apps. Results furthermore imply that a musical setting might be regarded as a combination of cultural, musical, technical, physical, psychological and personal resources. The digitally-based instruments were found in many cases to enhance autonomy and latitude for children in need of special support. This may be of even greater importance for the participants with Swedish as their second language. To participate in musicking and to learn music creates a sense of ownership that is of great importance for the individual not only from an educational, but also from a democratic perspective.
Original languageEnglish
Publication statusPublished - 2017
Externally publishedYes

Bibliographical note

2017-11-09T13:32:28.095+01:00

Free keywords

  • Pedagogical Work
  • Pedagogiskt arbete

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