(RE)CONSTRUCTION OF STUDENT MUSIC TEACHER IDENTITY

The professional identity of music teacher represents the essence of this profession. Improving the programmes of music teacher education and deciding how to (re)construct the professional identity of prospective music teachers, it is important to discuss what contextual factors can have an impact on the development of music teacher identity and what possibilities of its (self-) development are available at university. A better understanding of the role-identity of teachers at various stages of their careers could enhance the conceptions of study programmes in music teacher education. The article analyses and discusses the conception of music teacher identities, substantiates its peculiarities during pre-service training, points out the most important characteristics for the successful professional activity of the music teacher. The research presented in the article focuses on professional identity development of 30 university music students (15 Lithuanian and 15 foreign) at Lithuanian University of Educational Sciences (Music Education). The method of focus group interview was used in this study.The research results show that the student music teachers have developed a distinctive attitude towards the professional education in universities and their own expectations. Suggestions for practice and further research are also provided

CHILDREN’S SINGING: REFLECTIONS ON A VOCAL TEACHING IN LITHUANIA AND TAIWAN

The research is concerned with the aim of comparing children’s singing and vocal teaching development in Lithuania and Taiwan. Singing is the most noticeable feature of musical culture of the nation. Seeking the continuity of traditions of teaching singing, the nurturance of children’s singing in various countries is considered to be one of the key objectives of music education. Therefore, the research teams from Lithuania and Taiwan have decided that the importance of the development of a child’s voice requires more attention. In total 150 6-8 yearold children took part in the research (testing): 75 children in each age group were tested in Lithuania and Taiwan. The methodology for “Children’s Singing Voice Measure” (CSVM) was used in the research. The conducted research highlighted the tendencies of expression of 6-8 year-old children’s singing voice skills in musical education classes in Lithuania and Taiwan. It was revealed that the ability of 6-8 year-old children to control the singing voice range is developed insufficiently. The article was written implementing the international tripartite research project “Coordination between Musical Hearing and Vocal Apparatus of 6-8 Year-Old Children during the Process of Singing: Comparative Study in Latvia, Lithuania and Taiwan” (TAP-LLT-14-016)

Project-Based Learning at University: Teaching Experiences of Lecturers

AbstractOne of the methods, which directs pedagogical technologies towards interactive learning, embraces preparation and presentation of projects. The contribution of project-based learning to (self-)development of learners’ general and subject competencies has been widely acknowledged. However, seeking to develop student's (as future teacher's of music) competency of project activities, it is necessary to apply strategies and methods of project-based learning as one of the most essential means of (self-)education in higher education institutions. The article presents the attitude of lecturers from Lithuanian University of Educational Sciences towards problems and possibilities of application of paradigm of project-based learning in the process of music education studies