Browsing by Author "Suomalainen, Noora"

Relationship with music develops significantly during primary school. Different experiences with music are seen as important because they determine the pupil’s perception of their own skills and abilities in music. Pupil’s positive musical self-efficacy is an essential part of their musical development and a necessary component of musical involvement. Music education in primary schools is often the responsibility of the class teacher. Through a varied and supportive music education, the class teacher can provide pupils with a solid foundation for a musically active life. In this thesis, I delved into the perceptions of class teachers implementing music education about the meaning of students’ musical self-efficacy and ways to support students’ musical self-efficacy. The thesis was conducted as a qualitative study. The research data was collected through semi- structured thematic interviews and analyzed using a theoretical content analysis. Three class teachers who have taught music to their classes were interviewed for the study. The results of the study indicated that the class teachers perceived musical self-efficacy as important for pupils’ well-being, musical relationships, musical development, and the experience of the community. Class teachers felt that it was meaningful for students to feel successful and capable in music. The experience of competence gives the pupil the confidence to engage in music, both individually and collectively, while maintaining the joy of music. The results also showed that the class teachers support student’s musical self-efficacy in a variety of ways. In particular, class teachers aim to influence the pupil’s personal experiences in music, for example, through the amount of practice and the content of the tasks, and by ensuring that each pupil is able to participate. The class teachers viewed even small successes by students as significant and sought to help students see their own progress as well. Class teachers perceived that in music education it was important to maintain an optimistic atmosphere with opportunities for positive emotions. Positive feedback, support, and the experience of the development of musical skills were important as well.