AIRS Annual Report Year 1 Sub-Theme 2.3: Learning Through Singing

Prepared by Andrea Rose and Jennifer Sullivan, Canada.

Overview of Current Work

Andrea Rose, Memorial University of Newfoundland, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada

Focus

Singing in online music education contexts: A case study in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada

Study areas

• Singing as an art form – skill, technique, traditions and practices
• Singing alone and together (individual/ensemble)
• Singing as a pedagogical tool and strategy in music education
• Singing in community – local/global – formal/informal

Goals

• Explore singing as a fundamental mode of music and music
  education; as a pedagogical construct and     strategy in the teaching
  and learning of music in online, distance education models – secondary
  music education
• Develop web-based models, strategies and utilize new and emerging
  technologies appropriate for singing; examine issues, challenges,
  opportunities
• Enhance both online and traditional contexts for singing in music
  education and other educational contexts (e.g., web-based resources and
  interactions)

To date

Several publications and conference presentations (MENC 2010; ISME 2010)

2 Masters Theses in music education:

• K. Joy. Perceptions of students, teachers, administrators and
  policy makers of distance learning in rural Newfoundland and Labrador: a
  critical constructivist perspective

• J. Nakashima. Experiencing Music 2200 online: a critical case study of the curriculum transfer process

Jennifer Sullivan: Acadia University, Nova Scotia, Canada   

Focus

Singing and Development of Language/Vocabulary Acquisition

Publications

• Sullivan, J. F. & O'Neill, S.  (2009). Singing Acquisition and Education: A Developmental Perspective

• Sullivan, J. F. (2009). Song Intervention to Enhance Preschool Vocabulary.

Student Theses

• Walton, K. Singing as a Vocabulary Intervention for Preschool Aged Children

• Coombes, B. Sing Along with Me: The Effects of Group Singing Instruction on the Preschool Child's Ability to Sing

Martha Gabriel and June Countryman: UPEI, Charlottetown, PEI, Canada

Focus

Singing and literacy

Making connections between singing, lyrics, and literacies; field
work and creating song collections using indigenous songs from Nova
Scotia, PEI… for use by children and to use in preparation of elementary
classroom teachers

June Countryman: UPEI, Canada

Focus

Singing in educational contexts

"neuropsycholbiological reality" (Graham Welch); bodymind
experience of singing and connections to learning in general elementary
contexts

Martin F. Gardiner: Center for the Study of Human Development, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA

Focus

Connections between developing musical/singing skill and musical
literacy and academic progress in Math and Language Arts (elementary
grades)

Additional

• Henrietta Lempert: University of Toronto, Canada
• Kati Szego: Memorial University of Newfoundland
• Other collaborations ongoing between Theme groups