How do secondary school music teachers view creativity? A report on educators' views of teaching composing skills

Odena, O. (2001) How do secondary school music teachers view creativity? A report on educators' views of teaching composing skills. In: British Educational Research Association (BERA) Annual Conference, University of Leeds, UK, 13-15 Sep 2001,

Abstract

This paper explores secondary school music teachers' views of creativity and some of their ideas about teaching composing skills. In order to do this, firstly an initial explanation of past and present controversies surrounding the meaning of the term creativity is given. The centralised production of music curricula during the 1990s has unified the knowledge pupils are expected to ‘attain’. However, issues concerning creativity, its meanings and their interpretation remain because they have not been resolved by centralised policy production. Secondly, different approaches taken by several studies on creativity are reviewed and a four-fold framework for researching music teachers' views of creativity is suggested (i.e. Pupil - Environment - Process - Product). Finally, preliminary results of an enquiry carried out in England with six teachers are presented for consideration. A qualitative research design was used to allow teachers to reflect on their ideas. Selected videotaped extracts of their own lessons on composition and improvisation where used for the purpose of discussion with participants during later interviews. The process of analysis was assisted by a software package for qualitative research (i.e. NUDIST). The conclusions drawn from the interviews indicated to some new categories and subcategories that supported the initial framework. The focus in this paper is on the teachers' definitions of creativity, their role in teaching composing skills and the positive influence of teaching in developing their own creativity. The teachers' comments revealed some of the complexities embraced within the concept of creativity and its use in music education.

• Item Type: Conference Proceedings
• Additional Information: This research was funded by the Department of Universities and Research of the Catalan Government.
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Odena, Professor Oscar
• Authors: Odena, O.
• College/School: College of Social Sciences > School of Education > Robert Owen Centre
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2001 The Author
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced with permission of the author