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…

Focuses on a project, Teacher Education in Art and Music Mizzou (TEAMM), that included music and art education majors as a way of encouraging collaboration among arts teachers. Explains that students were assigned to one of 17 groups that included at least one freshman and one upper-level student. Presents questionnaire results. (CMK)

States that fairness has been a major concern in the field of music adjudication. Reviews the research literature to reveal information about three external characteristics (race, gender, and physical attractiveness) that may affect judges' performance evaluations and influence fairness of music adjudication. Includes references. (CMK)

States that hearing loss that occurs in the musical environment is commonly overlooked. Examines various aspects of the risks musicians take, such as hazardous environments, ignorance, and excessive sound levels. Offers two solutions to reduce the risks: (1) ear protection; and (2) modifications to the environment. Includes references. (CMK)

Examines various scripted rehearsals to determine if preprofessional teachers could differentiate between process and product educational philosophies by presenting them with process-oriented (conceptual) and product-oriented (nonconceptual) strategies in ensemble settings. Provides results and considers implications for teaching. Includes…

Investigates the status of music technology in Illinois public schools (K-12) using a questionnaire. Focuses on (1) the perceived training needs of teachers, (2) ways teachers and students use technology, (3) access to music technology, (4) types of software and hardware, and (5) sources of funding. Addresses the implications. (CMK)

Provides information on the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP). States that the overview of 1997 NAEP Arts Assessment results is disappointing within music education. Discusses the National Council for Education Statistics summary data tables. Presents three issues related to interpreting the tables and issues involved in secondary…

Reports on five observations of children and adults involved in music activities and discusses three issues related to experimental research. Argues against the Mozart Effect, stating that the effects of music instruction seen within the classroom everyday are more significant. Discusses the results of Mozart Effect studies and educational…

Examines teachers' mentor influences, focusing on student teachers' perceptions and descriptions of their mentors. Finds that preservice music teachers had a significantly higher number of mentors than elementary educators and suggests that most followed traditional patterns in mentoring relationships. Highlights the implications for those who…

Investigates job satisfaction and attrition factors for music teachers through interviews of 30 music teachers within their first 10 years of teaching. Finds that teachers view three factors as essential to their well-being: (1) positive administrative support; (2) resources to do one's job; and (3) a support network, including experienced music…

Explores the changes in attitude and social engagement of students exposed to a special curriculum to promote tolerance versus those enrolled in typical music education preparation courses. Indicates that comfort levels with those from diverse/different background increased, the use of slurs decreased, and confrontations with others who made slurs…

Explores research relating to the use of conducting gestures as instructional tools to teach musical concepts, focusing on the effects of conducting on musical understanding and conducting as an organizational and management tool. Discusses why teachers fail to focus on conducting activities. (CMK)

Explores children's music, addressing such issues as studying children's music, the research of John Blackling on children's songs, comments by ethnomusicologists (from the book "Music in Cultural Context") on child involvement with music, observations of children in playful interactions, children's comments on music's value, and research…

Provides information on the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act 1990 (IDEA), the inclusion of autism in the law, and autism in general. Summarizes research on music and children with autism, addressing music as a means to improving communication skills and as a motivator. Considers the implications for music educators. (CMK)

Provides information on intellectual property, copyright, and the issue of fair use. Addresses the guidelines for fair use in the classroom, focusing on fair use guidelines in the context of information technologies, particularly electronic media, and the "Fair Use Guidelines for Educational Multimedia." Considers implications for music educators.…