Promoting technology-based collaboration among pre-service music educators: An inter-university project

UNCW Author/Contributor (non-UNCW co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
Daniel C. Johnson, Professor (Creator)
Institution
The University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW )
Web Site: http://library.uncw.edu/

Abstract: The purpose of this inter-university project was to explore pre-service teachers’ perceptions ofcollaboration and use of online technology. Twenty-two undergraduate music education majors fromtwo separate universities participated in an eleven-week collaborative project to develop, teach, andself-assess general music lesson plans via a variety of student-selected online technologies. Todetermine the participants’ perceptions, the researchers administered the quantitative TechnologyIntegration Confidence Scale and periodic qualitative questionnaires consisting of open-endedquestions. Participants showed positive quantitative gains in understanding technology operationsand concepts, planning and designing learning environments, applying technology, assessment, andunderstanding ethical and legal issues in the classroom. From the qualitative data, the researchersfound four emergent themes relating to communication and pedagogical knowledge: (1) versatilityand potential of collaborating through technology, (2) barriers and challenges to effectivecommunication, (3) importance of collaborative communication, and (4) increased personaleffectiveness through reflective growth. Participants reported that working through collaborativeassignments increased their self-confidence and reflective thinking skills, as well as helping themrecognize the value of communication in terms of curriculum and instructional effectiveness. Thesefindings highlight the importance of identifying strategies to instruct, motivate, and evaluate pre-servicemusic teachers as they develop 21st century skills and music teaching competencies. Toconclude, the co-authors discuss implications of technology-based collaborations beyond musiceducation for the teaching profession in general.

Additional Information

Publication
Johnson, D. C., & Matthews, W. (2017). Promoting technology-based collaboration among pre-service music educators: An inter-university project. International Journal of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education, 29(3), 436–446.
Language: English
Date: 2017
Keywords
pre-service teachers, collaborative projects, general music lessons, online technologies,
Subjects
Music teachers--Training of
Music--Instruction and study
Teaching teams
Educational technology
Education, Elementary

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