A Reflective Lens: Music Pedagogical Research to Transform Practice | Page 10

Co-operative Learning Structure
in Group Music Composition
Adela Josephine
Juying Primary School

Abstract

This research examines the use of co-operative learning
structure in group music composition activities for Primary
4 students. Students collaborated in small groups of five
to six members over five lessons of one-hour duration
each, working on two compositions. Ten students from two
groups were the target group of the study. Their group
discussions were transcribed and analysed. Besides lesson
transcriptions and fieldnotes, other data collection methods
included interview transcriptions and reflective journaling
which students completed at the end of the study. The
findings of the study indicated that co-operative learning
structure helps students in working on their compositions
as students’ musical understanding were enhanced and
students’ interactions within the group allowed them to
develop social and emotional competencies as well as 21st
Century Competencies (21CC). Moreover, co-operative
learning provides opportunities to develop students’
leadership capacity as the group-elected leaders were
required to help the group achieve their group goals; in this
case, creation and performance of a group composition.

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