The purpose of this study was to examine how instrumental ensemble classes for high school students bring about changes in learners' self-regulation abilities and cooperative experiences. Cooperative learning is a learning method that allows learners ...
The purpose of this study was to examine how instrumental ensemble classes for high school students bring about changes in learners' self-regulation abilities and cooperative experiences. Cooperative learning is a learning method that allows learners to take responsibility and participate in a common goal through the process of adjusting roles in groups and matching each other's performances. With the 2022 revised curriculum and the introduction of one-person equipment, music classes using tablets and applications have expanded, and digital instrumental ensembles using both real and digital tools are becoming a form of instruction that implements this cooperative learning. Therefore, in this study, the five elements of cooperative learning suggested by Johnson & Johnson and the self-regulation sub-elements consisting of cognition, motivation, and behavioral regulation were set as the framework for analysis, and the students' experiences were analyzed focusing on pre- and post-open questionnaires and interview data.
The study was applied to 23 students who took elective music courses among the second graders of general high schools in Gyeonggi-do, and the 8th instrumental ensemble class was operated leading to drum application practice, rhythm sound source production, real musical instrument practice, intermediate ensemble, and final presentation. Each class activity was designed to reveal the elements of cooperative learning.
As a result of the analysis, first, students revealed three areas of self-regulation more specifically in the context of instrumental ensemble using digital tools. In cognitive regulation, identification of the structure and rhythm of the score, reconstruction of the practice sequence, and error checking through comparison with the drum sound source were found, and in motivational regulation, the use of new ensemble formats and digital tools improved students' interest, achievement value, and self-efficacy. In behavioral regulation, a practice method was observed to self-adjust practice time and space and seek help using colleagues, teachers, and online resources.
Second, in terms of cooperation, students showed a more detailed understanding of the structure and function of cooperation than before. In the prior response, there were many fragmentary descriptions such as 'we did it together' and 'helped', but in the post-response, more statements were made mentioning the relationship between each instrument and the entire ensemble, the role-sharing method, and discussion and coordination related to rehearsals, revealing positive interdependence and individual accountability in more detail. In addition, in the process of exchanging feedback on each other's performance, determining the start signal, or adjusting the beat, social skills and the group process of face-to-face interaction were identified.
Third, the vocabulary used in the pre- and post-questionnaire also showed meaningful changes. In the dictionary, expressions emphasizing individual performance such as 'practice', 'focus', 'goal achievement', and 'beat' were mainly used, but after the death, cooperation-oriented words such as 'responsibility', 'growth', 'confidence', 'interaction', and 'effort' increased significantly. This change shows the process of reorganizing and expanding self-regulation strategies in a group context, not only working within individuals.
This study is significant in that it demonstrated the possibility that high school students' self-regulation abilities and cooperative learning experiences using digital tools could be improved together. Additionally, by presenting ensemble activities as an educational context in which cognitive, emotional, and social growth appear together, and by providing a perspective to understand self-regulation and cooperation as a process that works interdependently, it provides basic data that can be used as a reference for future digital-based music class design and related research.