Music education in the secondary years 1A

This unit introduces you to the teaching and learning methods and major ideas useful in contemporary music education, particularly those that are essential for class music teachers. Further, this unit supports all music teaching and learning including that offered by instrumental specialist teachers. It provides you with opportunities to develop your subject matter knowledge and skills relevant to teaching in secondary schools and also considers primary school music education from the viewpoint of the specialist music educator. You are encouraged to refine your attitudes to music education through critical reflection and evaluation of both your past and current experiences. This introduces you to the research skills considered necessary for your professional work. This is particularly pertinent for class music educators, many of whom are already experienced instrumental teachers and music professionals.

The unit employs a pedagogical approach that connects theoretical and experiential learning, understanding these embedded practices to be interrelated and interdependent. As part of this cycle of learning, you are expected to engage in planning, presenting and evaluating teaching sequences through critical reflection. Furthermore, it reinforces a view of learning about teaching as an ongoing, collaborative process. This unit focuses primarily on lower and middle secondary school music.