Music as an educational experience : possibilities and challenges

Abstract

This study seeks to emphasize the importance of music in education in the development of the child's education. An analysis of the Maltese educational documents regarding music teaching and learning issued in the last years served as a starting point for our study. A survey was carried out in the schools forming part of the Gozo College. The main research method used was the interview, where the Heads of schools and the Music teachers forming part of this college were asked facts and opinions regarding music teaching and assessment. Overall, the data show that the range of current assessment practices in schools are neither wide nor varied. Where existent, these practices are very general and do not give a clear picture of the students' progress and improvement. They relate to ways of reporting information to the parents/guardians which are not necessarily reliable. Reference to bibliographic research helped form a basis for the implementation of valid assessment methods regarding the teaching and learning of music in the main streams. Recommendations are based on the development of the assessment methods proposed.