Browsing by Subject "yhteissoitto"

Goals. The aim of this study is to examine how pupils describe collaborative learning processes and how they describe group processes in a band project. The purpose of the study was to research how pupils experience learning, group dynamics, and the different roles in a group. Band projects enable teachers to implement the participatory method of music education required by the new National Core Curriculum of Basic Education 2014. The theoretical background of this study is socio-constructivist approach, in which learning occurs in interaction with others, and pupils are active in their own learning. The results of previous studies on ensemble and group processes show that playing in a band and interactive learning during music lessons increase motivation and well-being in schools. Methodology. The study was a qualitative case study. The data of this study was collected with a survey from the pupils (N=74) of one elementary school in the capital area of Finland. The students were 5th and 6th graders. The survey had both multiple choice and open questions relating to the experiences that pupils had during the band project. The survey was originally designed to be a self-evaluation form for the pupils after the band project. The survey was conducted during the Spring of 2018 as a Forms survey on the Office 365 platform. The final data consists of the answers of 25 pupils from the 5th grade. The data was analysed by using qualitative content analysis and applying the phenomenographic approach in part. The role of the theory was directional in the analysis. A part of the results of the content analysis was analysed also quantitatively. Results and conclusions. The pupils` descriptions of group processes were related to either goals set, the actions of the group, or the musical activities. The pupils` views of their own role in the group were divided into four categories: the one maintaining a positive atmosphere, the one influencing the actions of the group, the one acting actively and the one expressing opinions. The pupils’ experiences of the group operations during the project were related to either other group members or to the task itself. The categories of pupils` descriptions of the learning processes during the band project were: learning how to play an instrument or how to sing, learning how to play in a group, the music theory and technology related learning and learning the collaboration skills. According to this study the band project as an educational method gives the pupils good possibilities to improve their collaboration skills, work with others, and actively participate. In addition, it develops the pupils’ musical skills in interaction with each other.