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Hensley, S. E. (1981). A study of the musical achievement of elementary students taught by the Memphis City Curriculum Guide and students taught by the traditional approach (Doctoral dissertation, Louisiana State University and Agricultural Mechanical College, 1981). Dissertation Abstracts International, 11A 4757.
| Author(s): | Hensley, Susan E |
| Title: | A study of the musical achievement of elementary students taught by the Memphis City Curriculum Guide and students taught by the traditional approach |
| Source Type: | Dissertation |
| Source Name: | Dissertation Abstracts International |
| Year: | DAI |
| Year: | 1981 |
| Volume: | 42 |
| Catalog No.: | 11A 4757 |
| Institution: | Louisiana State University and Agricultural Mechanical College |
| Language: | English |
| Orff Topic Category: | Effect of OS on Music Knowledge/Skills |
| Research Methodology I: | Quantitative |
| Research Methodology II: | Quasi-Experimental |
| Participants: | Eight classes of fourth- and fifth-graders in Ashville, NC schools |
| Groups: | Experimental Group=4 classes (n=119), Control Group= 4 classes (n=118) |
| Purpose: | To compare music achievement of students using the Memphis City Curriculum Guide vs. those taught by the traditional approach |
| Independent Variables: | Music instruction (Memphis Guide vs. |
| Dependent Variables: | Music Achievement Tests 1-3 by Colwell |
| Data Type: | MAT scores |
| Analysis: | ANCOVA, t-tests, at .05 level of significance |
| Abstract: | Eight classes of children in fourth and fifth grades in Ashville schools were randomly assigned to experimental and control groups. They were pre-tested and post-tested with the Music Achievement Tests Levels 1-3. Students received music instruction for one 30-minute lesson weekly for 18 weeks. The experimental group (4 classes) was taught according to the Memphis City Curriculum Guide that emphasized the Orff and Kodaly pedagogy and creativity whereas the control group (4 classes) was taught using the "Exploring Music" music text series. Test scores of the individual subtest were analyzed by ANCOVA, and individual pre-post-test scores were compared using t-tests. |
| Results/Conclusions: | Results show no differences anywhere. |
| Implications for music education (continued research): | Using the curriculum guide alone may not affect learning outcomes. |
| Keywords: | Elementary Methods Curriculum, Orff Schulwerk vs. traditional music teaching |
| Additional Information: | Lessons for the experimental group and control group did not have the parallel objectives. The MAT does not measure creativity. |