Browsing by Author "Toivonen, Saara"

Objectives. Previous research has shown the effect of self-efficacy in academic learning results through motivation, perseverance and use of effective learning strategies. Self-efficacy is also proven to be one of the strongest items in predicting success in musical performance. Despite the fact that success in school music is said to predict higher beliefs in doing well in other school subjects, there is little research done about students’ musical self-efficacy in Finnish elementary school context. In this literature review elementary school students’ self-efficacy and its development were examined, especially in music context. The aim of this study was to survey methods that elementary school teachers could use to raise students’ self-efficacy in school music. Methods. The literature review was carried out as a descriptive literature review. The research material consisted of six research articles dealing with musical self-efficacy and four research articles dealing with self-efficacy in academic and school contexts. The articles were published in 2003–2016. Results and conclusions. High self-efficacy predicted great achievements in both academic school subjects and musical performance. The four sources of perceived self-efficacy were proven to be effective also in examining musical self-efficacy. Teacher’s self-efficacy correlated with students’ self-efficacy. Elementary school students’ self-efficacy is not stabilized yet. To build a stable and positive self-efficacy, children need support from their close adults, like parents and teachers.