Features of Most and Least Helpful Professional Development Experiences: A Study With Primary Music Specialists

• In Event: Roundtable Session 34
  In Roundtable Session: Music Education SIG: Music Education Pedagogy

Abstract

In Singapore, primary music specialists have numerous opportunities to participate in professional development (PD) with varied content focus, duration, and working dynamics. Using the “features of high-quality PD” theoretical framework, we investigated the features of the most and least helpful PD previously completed by these teachers. We had two focus group discussions (n=7, n=5) and ran a nationwide survey (n=113). Results indicate that music specialists highly value the features described in our theoretical framework. They prefer when PD is extensive and intensive, covers a mix of content directly applicable in class, fosters interaction and active learning, and provides follow-up support. This study enriches the literature on high-quality PD with data from music teachers.

Authors

• Joanne Wong, Nanyang Technological University - National Institute of Education

• Alfredo Bautista, Nanyang Technological University