Lucy Green, The Institute of Education, University of London, UK
This pioneering book reveals how the music classroom can draw upon the
world of popular musicians' informal learning practices, so as to
recognize and foster a range of musical skills and knowledge that have
long been overlooked within music education. It investigates how far
informal learning practices are possible and desirable in a classroom
context; how they can affect young teenagers' musical skill and
knowledge acquisition; and how they can change the ways students listen
to, understand and appreciate music as critical listeners, not only in
relation to what they already know, but beyond. It examines students'
motivations towards music education, their autonomy as learners, and
their capacity to work co-operatively in groups without instructional
guidance from teachers. It suggests how we can awaken students'
awareness of their own musicality, particularly those who might not
otherwise be reached by music education, putting the potential for
musical development and participation into their own hands.
Bringing informal learning practices into a school environment is
challenging for teachers. It can appear to conflict with their views of
professionalism, and may at times seem to run against official
educational discourses, pedagogic methods and curricular requirements.
But any conflict is more apparent than real, for this book shows how
informal learning practices can introduce fresh, constructive ways for
music teachers to understand and approach their work. It offers a
critical pedagogy for music, not as mere theory, but as an analytical
account of practices which have fundamentally influenced the
perspectives of the teachers involved.
Through its grounded examples and discussions of alternative approaches
to classroom work and classroom relations, the book reaches out beyond
music to other curriculum subjects, and wider debates about pedagogy and
curriculum.
Contents: Introduction; The project's pedagogy and curriculum content;
Making music; Listening and appreciation; Enjoyment: making music and
having autonomy; Group cooperation, ability and inclusion; Informal
learning with classical music; Afterword; Appendices; Bibliography;
Index.
About the Author: Lucy Green is Professor of Music Education in The Institute of Education, University of London, UK.
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Content )
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Introduction )
Published: May 2008
Format: 234 x 156 mm
Extent: 226 pages
Binding: Paperback
