Browsing by Author "Nuotio, Riikka"

The purpose of this study was to describe, analyze and interpret what kind of experiences and what contact with the use of Satukantele (a traditional Finnish instrument) is to linguistic skills, to creativity and musical action of pupils, and to pupils` other activities in school. Research is a qualitative case study in a first-class special education group. The theoretical framework of the thesis presents earlier studies of music connections to learning and other activities and human well-being. In addition, the development of reading and writing skills, teaching methods of reading and challenges of learning to read are considered. This first study included eight firstgraders in a special education group and a special education teacher. During the study, the pupils participated in eight Satukantele classes designed and driven by the researcher during spring 2019. In the sessions, the pupils invented their own texts and composi-tions, which were then adapted to a single finished work. The texts were adapted to the tone by syllables. The finished works were played and sung together during the Satukantele studies. At the beginning of every class pupils first played ready-made notations (Leikkinuotti) to increase the understanding of the reading direction and ensure motivation and concentration. At the be-ginning and end of the study period, syllable analysis of the first-class autumn evaluation materi-al was carried out from the LukiMat test, the analysis of which aimed to gain an understanding of linguistic skills during the study. At the end of the study, students and teacher were inter-viewed. The interview material was transcribed and analyzed by material-based content analy-sis. The topics highlighted in the interviews were supported by the findings of the study journal and the mean of the answers in the LukiMat-tests. Based on the results of the analysis of the material, three themes emerged: 1. Satukantele as a Learning Tool 2. Satukantele as a Produc-er of pleasure and 3. Satukantele as the Enabling Creativity and Own Thinking. In this study, the use of Satukantele was connected with learning to play the instrument itself, learning musical lit-eracy and reading direction, gaining an experience of success, enabling the pupil's own creative activity (inventing), producing positive emotional experiences, and strengthening linguistic skills. In particular, the results of this study related to pleasure and creative activity were in line with previous music-related studies.