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The music team started to work together in June 2001. The team met as a whole group to:
- discuss issues related to the teaching and learning of music using ICT
- discuss the development of all the music subject design initiatives
- view work in progress by some teachers - on video - and to share ideas on each teacher's
design initiative
University researchers worked closely with teachers on a one-to-one basis to
develop the details of the individual subject design initiative. Primary school teachers
met together for training using cubasis software, led by one of the teachers. The primary
teachers also carried out much individual research into software programmes and
trialled the use of these with their classes.
In general, teachers who joined the project had little experience
of structured use of ICT software in the classroom. The teachers' own skills in the
understanding and use of software, including sequencing packages, were very varied: some
teachers were competent, others had no skills. Two of the primary teachers had no
formal training in music prior to teaching in schools.
Early in the project Nick Breeze who was a part-time teacher gained an ESRC
studentship and embarked on a PhD linked to the project. Music students from the
Bristol University PGCE Music course supported work with pupils in Fairfield School.
There has been ongoing dialogue between Becca Ball (Fairfield School), Nick Breeze
(researcher), Marina Gall (researcher), and Christine Wright (South Gloucester Primary
Music Support Teacher) through their work with BECTa on ICT and Music. Nick,
Marina and Christine viewed new music software at BETT. They have worked with BECTa, and with a software company in the development of a new product. In her support role Christine was involved with the work at St Micheal's Primary School.
Dialogue, collaboration and training has supported the professional development of all
teachers and researchers.
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