Investigated definitions and perceptions of multicultural education among 103 preservice early childhood education students. Found that students' definitions illustrated minimal understanding of multicultural education, limited to race and ethnicity. Most students constructed their definitions from college courses. Participants witnessed…

Investigated contradictions between the complex reasons why a percentage of English college students dropped out and the simplistic funding and policy assumptions about such "failures." Many factors influencing non-completion lay beyond students' and educational providers' control. Causes of dropping out may be better explained in the complex…

Examined the educational experiences of nontraditional, ethnic minority, women students in the United Kingdom who were involved in a community-based, flexible access to higher education project in the inner city, highlighting financial and institutional barriers they experienced. Students were frustrated participants in an unresponsive…

Discusses Great Britain's funding of higher education institutions, which is linked to funding student support, identifying factors underpinning the Secretary of State for Education and Employment's establishment of a National Committee of Inquiry; exploring contextual dimensions of those working to influence policy; considering educational…

Interviewed British higher education middle managers about their roles, specifically the extent to which collegiality was a significant factor in the university's internal decision making. Respondents noted difficulties with and imperfections in collegiality but considered it the most appropriate form of decision making because it was important to…

Presents a study in which high school choral directors (n=104) participated. Focuses on examining the directors' repertoire selection practices. Explains that the directors were separated into two categories: (1) outstanding directors; and (2) directors in the remaining population. Reports that the directors' selection practices were not…

Presents a study that surveyed high school choral directors (n=163) to explore the literature performed by beginning high school choirs. Analyzes five categories: (1) demographics; (2) selection criteria; (3) literature sources; (4) types of literature; and (5) recommended repertoire. Includes references. (CMK)

Examines the relationship between the frequency of particular authentic-context learning activities during undergraduate instrumental music teacher training and the initial teaching performance of undergraduate instrumental music student teachers. Focuses on early field experience teaching, peer-teaching, student subjects viewing their teaching…

Examines the data from the 1992-97 South Dakota all-state band auditions. Focuses on the effects of school enrollment, distance to audition site, sex of auditionees, and the type of instrument. Presents the results of the study in detail. Includes references. (CMK)

Examines the perceptions of adults related to piano study, their musical and nonmusical interests, and home influences on music. Presents the results in detail. Explains that the results of this study have implications for encouraging lifelong enjoyment of piano study. Includes references. (CMK)

Examines the effect of modeling conditions and tempo patterns on high school instrumentalists' performance. Focuses on high school students (n=60) who play wind instruments. Reports that the with-model condition was superior in rhythm and tempo percentage gain when compared to the no-model condition. Includes references. (CMK)

Provides background information on using action research in music education. Offers guidelines for teachers to help them do action research. Includes an example of how a music teacher conducted action research in which the teacher asked, "Why did [the students] continue vocal music from middle school to high school?" (CMK)

Discusses the issue of early musical experience to provide the necessary background for musical achievement in the future. Presents a review of research on musical practice, motivation, and cognitive skills of music performance. Addresses the implications of the research on music education overall. Includes references. (CMK)

Presents the results of a study in which prospective music and elementary school teachers were observed to examine their ability in following visual representations used to enhance music listening experiences. Explains that the focus is on the use of listening maps (iconic representations of musical samples). (CMK)

States that collaborative learning has been absent from the field of music education. Presents a literature review on collaborative learning, focusing on issues such as the issue of student achievement and the difference between cooperative and collaborative learning. Explores research on collaborative learning in music education. Includes…