A Reflective Lens: Music Pedagogical Research to Transform Practice | Page 128

Benefits of Informal Learning Pedagogy and Popular Music with Normal Technical Students:
Self-Directed Learning through the Use of Technology

ii. What was the main criterion when deciding on the
song?
There were many songs that they considered. However,
it all boiled down to their ability to play the song. They
would not continue with the song choice if either girl
found some difficulty in playing it.
iii. Who did you go to if you were stuck in your playing?
They relied on YouTube videos. Joy was also the one
who mainly taught Serene how to play. As for Joy, she
learnt her part by trying to aurally figure it out on a
keyboard at home. Serene appreciated Joy’s help as
she made it easier for her to understand how to play
her part.
iv. Was fighting frequent when you both did your practice?
The girls denied fighting. Only when I brought up a
particular episode did Serene admit that Joy was angry
with her for not being focused. Serene claimed to get
bored when she was not able to master playing her
part, and so things got tense.
v. Why were YouTube videos used in your learning?
The girls used it to better understand the songs they
were looking at. Joy would play the video until the end
before deciding if they should select the song. The
videos were their “teachers”.
vi. Did YouTube videos restrict the genres of songs you
wanted to perform?
Yes. If the songs they had in mind were not found, they
would change their choice of songs.
vii.
Why did you cheer when some of your friends
performed?
It was a very intuitive thing to do. No one told them to
do it. They enjoyed their friends’ performances and this
was the way to show support.

125