The purpose of this study was to examine the differences in music teaching efficacy belief depending on background variables of early childhood teachers and the relationships between music teaching efficacy belief and music-related experiences of earl...
The purpose of this study was to examine the differences in music teaching efficacy belief depending on background variables of early childhood teachers and the relationships between music teaching efficacy belief and music-related experiences of early childhood teachers. Research issues for this purpose are as follows: First, what are the general trends of music teaching efficacy belief of early childhood teachers? Second, are there any differences in music teaching efficacy belief depending on early childhood teachers' background variables such as their career, scholarly attainments, the number of music courses completed, dwing their undergraduate program and participation in education activities? Third, what are the music-related experiences of teachers with a high level of music teaching efficacy belief and teachers with a low level of music teaching efficacy belief? The subjects of this study included 245 teachers who were working at the early childhood education institutes located in Busan. among them, three teachers with a high level of music teaching efficacy belief and three teachers with a low level of music teaching efficacy belief were selected and interviews were conducted on them. Music teaching efficacy belief instrument used in the study of Bang and Park (2005) was modified and used as a tool to test music teaching efficacy belief. The questions of the interview were prepared based on related literatures. Mean and standard deviation were obtained and one-way variate analysis and t-test were conducted for data analysis of the questionnaire. The contents of interview data were transcribed and then analyzed and interpreted based on established analysis criteria. The results of the study are as follows: First, early childhood teachers' recognition of music teaching efficacy belief was moderate. Second, there were significant differences in music teaching efficacy belief depending on background variables like career, the number of music courses completed, and participation in education activities except scholarly attainments. Third, the results of interview data analysis showed that teachers with a high level of music teaching efficacy belief were those who already had rich music experiences and performance experiences before college education due to their family's interests in music. In college education, these teachers could develop self-confidence and interests owing to education which combined knowledge with practice. Teachers came to like early childhood music education and gain confidence in it owing to repeated success experiences in the teaching profession, the advice and encouragement from colleagues and participation in actual teaching activities. On the other hand, teachers with a low level of music teaching efficacy belief lacked music experiences in their experiences before college education. Their interest in music was low due to the negative evaluation which made them feel shame and the cramming system of theory classes. They experienced college education focused on either theories or practical skills. In the teaching profession, they experienced failures in music education, indifference to music education shown by operators, negative evaluation from colleagues, and teaching which was not suitable for their ability. Considering these results, it would be meaningful to understand teachers showing a low level of music teaching efficacy belief and work out measures to improve their music teaching efficacy belief.