Music Student Teaching Seminars: An Examination of Current Practices Across the United States. (February 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Baumgartner, Christopher M.; Councill, Kimberly H.
• Is Part Of: Update, applications of research in music education. Volume 35:Number 2(2016)
• Page Start: 62
• Page End: 69
• Publication Date: 2017-02
• Subjects: music teacher preparation -- preservice teacher -- student teaching -- student teaching seminar; Music -- Instruction and study -- Periodicals; Musicology -- Periodicals; 780.71
• DOI: 10.1177/8755123315615183
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 8755-1233

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the structure and content of music student teaching seminars at 4-year, degree-granting institutions accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music across the United States. A secondary purpose was to determine how these seminars (a) addressed perceived needs of student teachers and beginning teachers when reflecting on their student teaching experience and (b) met those needs through course structure and content. Though variability existed in frequency and length, most seminars ( n = 95, 77.86%) were taught in the music department. Participants ( N = 205; 42.71% overall response rate) indicated that teacher responsibilities, job searching, and behavior management were the most frequently addressed topics in their seminars; creating résumés, lesson planning, and peer discussions represented the most common activities. Data suggest variability in both structure and content of seminars, as well as a discrepancy between perceived student teacher needs and seminar content.