Studying online (if an online offering is shown below)
There are now 2 possible online modes for units:
Units with modes Online timetabled and Online flexible are available for any student to self-enrol and study online.
Click on an offering mode for more details.
Unit Overview
- Description
Theory and practice in music education is the focus of this unit. It aims to develop an understanding of the principal historical, psychological, developmental and cultural influences on music teaching and learning, including the teaching of instruments and voice, classroom practice, choirs and ensembles. It examines the philosophical foundations of music and aesthetics in education; the role of music in society and in today's schools and private music studios; the personal and professional dimensions of music teaching; and provides an introduction to learning theories as applied to music teaching and learning.
This is a compulsory unit in the Specialist Music Studies major in the Bachelor of Arts degree. It is also open to students enrolled in other majors and degree pathways who fulfil the prerequisites and who have an interest in music.
- Credit
- 6 points
- Offering
Availability Location Mode Not available in 2025 UWA (Perth) Face to face - Details for undergraduate courses
- Level 3 elective
- Outcomes
Students are able to (1) articulate a basis for music education that takes account of key principles and themes in the philosophies and practice of music education; (2) illustrate how learning theories relate to music teaching and learning across a range of contexts (e.g. early learning, primary school, high school, studio, instrument/vocal, lifelong learning, formal/informal); (3) demonstrate a critical awareness of key music education issues through observation, analysis and reflection in real-life music teaching/learning situations, and written accounts of selected music education themes; (4) apply music performance skills, musical leadership and related knowledge of key music education issues to the design, delivery and evaluation of a performance-based interactive 'artist in schools' project; and (5) explain the role of policy, planning and assessment as they relate to formal music teaching and learning in general and to local institutions and contexts in particular.
- Assessment
Indicative assessments in this unit are as follows: (1) a pedagogy project plan and practical teaching reflection; (2) an observation journal; and (3) a peer teaching presentation. Further information is available in the unit outline.
Student may be offered supplementary assessment in this unit if they meet the eligibility criteria.
- Unit Coordinator(s)
- Mr Dale Pointon
- Unit rules
- Prerequisites
- any Level 2 Music (MUSC) unit
- Incompatibility
- MUSC2610 Introduction to Music Teaching
- Contact hours
- lectures: 2 hours per week
- The availability of units in Semester 1, 2, etc. was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change.
- All students are responsible for identifying when they need assistance to improve their academic learning, research, English language and numeracy skills; seeking out the services and resources available to help them; and applying what they learn. Students are encouraged to register for free online support through GETSmart; to help themselves to the extensive range of resources on UWA's STUDYSmarter website; and to participate in WRITESmart and (ma+hs)Smart drop-ins and workshops.
- Visit the Essential Textbooks website to see if any textbooks are required for this Unit. The website is updated regularly so content may change. Students are recommended to purchase Essential Textbooks, but a limited number of copies of all Essential Textbooks are held in the Library in print, and as an ebook where possible. Recommended readings for the unit can be accessed in Unit Readings directly through the Learning Management System (LMS).
- Contact hours provide an indication of the type and extent of in-class activities this unit may contain. The total amount of student work (including contact hours, assessment time, and self-study) will approximate 150 hours per 6 credit points.
Face to face
Predominantly face-to-face. On campus attendance required to complete this unit. May have accompanying resources online.
Online flexible
100% Online Unit. NO campus face-to-face attendance is required to complete this unit. All study requirements are online only. Unit is asynchronous delivery, with NO requirement for students to participate online at specific times.
Online timetabled
100% Online Unit. NO campus face-to-face attendance is required to complete this unit. All study requirements are online only. Unit includes some synchronous components, with a requirement for students to participate online at specific times.
Online Restricted
Not available for self-enrolment. Students access this mode by contacting their student office through AskUWA. 100% Online Unit.
NO campus face-to-face attendance. All study and assessment requirements are online only. Unit includes some timetabled activities, with a requirement for students to participate online at specific times. In exceptional cases (noted in the Handbook) students may be required to participate in face-to-face laboratory classes when a return to UWA’s Crawley campus becomes possible in order to be awarded a final grade.
External
No attendance or regular contact is required, and all study requirements are completed either via correspondence and/or online submission.
Off-campus
Regular attendance is not required, but student attends the institution face to face on an agreed schedule for purposes of supervision and/or instruction.
Multi-mode
Multiple modes of delivery. Unit includes a mix of online and on-campus study requirements. On campus attendance for some activities is required to complete this unit.