MU5014 - Learning and Teaching Music in the UK Education System

You will be introduced to music education in a series of lectures, exploring the theories which underpin music education in the UK. Seminars will explore academic writing in Music which may include aspects of music theory.

You will be given considerable support and encouragement by those teaching on the course. The programme leader and Course Tutors will be on hand to offer help and guidance, either in person during the advertised office hours or via email, and you will be working in an environment where you and your peers will offer one another mutual support and honest critical appraisal. You will be given appropriate material both in class and via the eLearning environment. You will be expertly guided during the external visits to observe teaching in various educational establishments.

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. Online reading lists (provided after enrolment) give you access to your reading material for your modules. The Library works in partnership with your module tutors to ensure you have access to the material that you need.

Knowledge & Understanding:

1. You will demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of the key concepts, principles and approaches to teaching and learning music and how music education fits into a broader curriculum in schools, as well as an appreciation how learning in Higher Education differs according to context.

2. You will understand the importance of pupil welfare in educational environments, including up-to-date knowledge of safeguiarding practices.

Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
3. You will develop an academic writing style appropriate for the later stages of a Music degree, including specialist terminology, and develop skills in critical thinking.

4. You will develop skills in teaching your instrument/voice.

Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
5. You will demonstrate a capacity for independent, self-motivated learning and time management and a cultural awareness of how education systems differ.

1. Portfolio of written work which may include elements involving music notation (50%). 3
2. Essay of 2,000 words on a topic related to the Education lecture input (25%). 1, 2, 3, 5

You will receive written feedback on your essay and portfolio, comprising annotations to your script and a short report.

This option is not open to students who have taken the level 4 music education module (MU4005).

N/A

This module is designed for students entering at Level 5 (the second year of the degree), especially those wishing to take the second semester music education module, ‘Preparation for Music Teaching’. All musicians are music teachers of their instrument or voice at some point, and it is vital that their experience of teaching is based on a solid foundation of pedagogical research and a knowledge of the context in which their work is taking place. Those entering directly into second year who have previous experience in music teaching and have completed modules elsewhere in the world will benefit from a thorough introduction to teaching music in a UK context.

This module offers an introduction to music education, covering early years, primary, secondary and special schools, so that your music teaching will be informed by your knowledge of pupils’ broader educational experience. This will also open up other possible career paths in music education, both in the UK and internationally. The module will also cover specialist academic writing required for the later stages of a Music degree and the education culture of music teaching in UK universities.