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Boras, C. (1988). The Orff-Schulwerk and traditional music education: A comparison of approach (Doctoral dissertation, University of Alberta, 1988)..
| Author(s): | Boras, Carol |
| Title: | The Orff-Schulwerk and traditional music education: A comparison of approach |
| Source Type: | Dissertation |
| Year: | MAI |
| Year: | 1988 |
| Country Code: | Canada |
| Location: | Edmonton, Alberta |
| Institution: | University of Alberta |
| Language: | English |
| Orff Topic Category: | Effect of OS on Music Knowledge/Skills |
| Secondary Orff Topic Category: | Relating OS to Movement/Arts |
| Research Methodology I: | Qualitative & quantitative |
| Research Methodology II: | Quasi-Experimental |
| Participants: | First graders, N=52 |
| Groups: | Three intact classes randomly assigned to: Group 1--Traditional instruction taught by classroom teacher; Group Two--Traditional instruction taught by researcher; Group Three--Orff Schulwerk taught by researcher |
| Purpose: | Compare effects of music instruction (traditional vs. OS) on Gross Motor Skills Development, Attitude, and Music Skills |
| Independent Variables: | Music instruction: Traditional vs. Orff Schulwerk |
| Dependent Variables: | Motor Skills, Attitude, Music Skills |
| Data Type: | Test scores, observation scores, journals, interviews |
| Analysis: | ANOVA, Content analysis |
| Abstract: | First graders in three contact classes were randomly assigned to three groups to receive music instruction. Group 1 (n=17) was taught by a classroom teacher the traditional way (Exploring Music by Holt, Rinehart, and Winston). Group 2 (n=17) was taught by the researcher in the traditional way. Group 3 (n=18) was taught Orff Schulwerk by the researcher. The participants received 30-minute instruction three times a week for twelve weeks. They were administered individually and videotaped using the Test of Gross Motor Development (Ulrich, 1985), the M-P Pupil Attitude Scale, and the Music Test (Glasgow and Hamreus, 1968). Qualitative data were collected by means of participant observation, direct observations, interviews and journals, involving triangulation between responses from students and teachers. |
| Results/Conclusions: | Results of ANOVA showed no statistical difference at the .05 level. However, the qualitative data show that the "quality" of movement of the Orff group surpassed that of the non-Orff groups; and that the Orff group showed more positive attitude and music skills than the traditional groups. |
| Implications for music education (continued research): | Orff instruction seems to improve quality in movement, attitude, and music skills. The difference may not be easily measured. |
| Keywords: | attitude, Movement, Motor learning |