Between two worlds : tensions of practice encountered by secondary school music teachers in Aotearoa New Zealand : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Education at Massey University, Manawatu campus, New Zealand
Loading...
Date
2012
DOI
Open Access Location
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Massey University
Rights
The Author
Abstract
This qualitative study examined the tensions of practice encountered in the daily
working lives of secondary school music teachers who hold the responsibility for music
in their school. The analysis used data from semi-structured interviews with nineteen
participants, including current and former practitioners and music advisors in Aotearoa
New Zealand. The participants represent a range of musical traditions, teaching
experiences, and demographics. Data were analysed thematically in terms of four
research questions: (i) the expectations attached to the role of secondary school music
teacher; (ii) the tensions of practice encountered; (iii) the manner in which teachers
experienced their working lives; and (iv) their efforts to resolve the tensions they
encountered. Major tensions of practice were found to arise from the boundary
positions which teachers occupied at the interface of two worlds – the inner world of
music and the outer world of the school – and from the complex demands of working in
the three different areas of classroom, extra-curricular and itinerant music. Further
tensions stemmed from changes brought about by national policy changes from the
mid-1990s to a broad, practically-based official curriculum and standards-based
assessment in senior secondary school credentials. Within their roles, teachers
experienced conflict, ambiguity and overload which had an impact on personal wellbeing
and their identities as musicians. They derived satisfaction from drawing students
into the inner life and meaning of music. The study addresses a major gap in the
understanding of secondary teachers’ work. It contributes to local and international
research literature into the lives of teachers, the position of music in schools, and the
nature of music education. It has practical and theoretical implications for policy
makers, school leaders, teachers and researchers.
Description
Keywords
Music teachers, School music teachers, Secondary school music teaching