Changes in Perceptions of Confidence in Teaching Music by Preservice Students

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine if a Primary Music Teaching Methods (PMTM) course can make a significant difference in perceptions of confidence in teaching music by pre-service students, and to examine whether formal and informal musical experiences are significantly related to changes in perceptions of confidence. Participants were 48 pre-service students in Primary Education programs at a university in Sydney, Australia. Pre-test and post-test questionnaires were administered. The PMTM course was taught by the investigator for 10 weeks. The results showed that the PMTM course made a significant difference in perceptions of confidence in teaching music, that a key factor in building the students' perceptions of confidence was individual music teaching presentations, and that both formal and informal musical experiences were significantly negatively related to perceptions of confidence in teaching music. The implication is that the PMTM course should include individual music teaching presentations.