Arts and Humanities Commons^™

Learning Outcomes In Two Divergent Middle School String Orchestra Classroom Environments: A Comparison Of A Learner-Centered And A Teacher-Centered Approach, Bernadette Butler Scruggs

Music Dissertations

This study investigated whether and in what ways a learner-centered instrumental music education classroom environment may nurture musical growth and independence. The mixed-methods design incorporated quantitative and qualitative measures to compare performance outcomes, musical growth, and learner and teacher dispositions in learner-centered and teacher-centered middle school orchestra classrooms. Quantitative measures included a Performance Assessment Instrument and a researcher-designed survey of student perceptions and attitudes. Qualitative measures included classroom observation, student and teacher interviews, and teacher journal entries. Research participants were four teachers, two of whom taught using a teacher-centered approach, and two of whom were oriented to learner-centered classroom strategies …