Developing music listening skills using active learning methods in secondary education

The reformed upper secondary school curriculum in Estonia states that pupils need to be supported to take a more active role when developing knowledge and competencies in music. The purpose of the current study was to test an active learning method designed to support music listening skills. The sample (n = 55) consisted of 11th grade pupils in one public school in Estonia. Students evaluated ten musical examples from the classical period to complete the pre- and post-test. The results indicated positive changes in students' assessments of classical music listening when activating learning activities were used in the learning process. (C) 2012 Published by Elsevier Ltd. Selection and/or peer-review under responsibility of Professor Heikki Ruismaki and Adjunct Professor Inkeri Ruokonen