A SURVEY OF RECORDER TEACHING IN PRIMARY SCHOOLS UNDER THE KBSR SYSTEM IN THE KOTA STAR DISTRICT

MILDRED TAN KER SHIN

Universiti Sains Malaysia, 2009
ABSTRACT The primary purpose of this research was to find out the current status of recorder teaching in primary schools music teaching in Kota Star District in Kedah State. In addition, this research also investigated the perceptions and opinions of primary school teachers towards the use of recorder in their classroom teaching, extra-curricular activities and also to determine whether the education background of the music teachers have any significant effects in recorder teaching. Besides, the research also seeks to understand the difficulties primary school music teachers encountered in their recorder teaching as well as their suggestions and recommendations. Conclusion made from the outcome of questionnaire survey and the proposed suggestion will be provided as reference to the ministry of education, curriculum development centre, state education departments, music teachers in promoting the recorder teaching and pedagogy. This survey was utilized in the survey method. The research instrument was a self- designed questionnaire. The subject of this research included 20 music teachers and 50 students sampling from 10 selected primary schools in Kota Star District in Kedah State. A pilot test was carried out on 20 music teachers and 20 students before the final

draft of the questionnaires were sent to the selected 20 music teachers and 50 students. All 70 questionnaires were mailed back to the researcher. The result of this research was analyzed through SPSS for Window statistical method. The research findings were as follow: 1. The value of recorder teaching At the moment, music teachers considered recorder teaching could benefits students in many ways such as enriching their life experiences, increase their inter-personal skills. 88% of the music teachers considered recorder teaching as an effective way to evaluate students performing skills. 2. The materials used in recorder teaching 85% of music teachers used the scores provided by the Curriculum Development Centre as their major source of materials. The difference of the academic background of the music teachers and type of school they teach has significant effect on the choice of repertoire in recorder teaching. Even though most music teachers were content with the teaching materials provided by Curriculum Development Centre, over 90% suggested that new materials should be developed and about 50% suggested that the teaching materials should be reviewed after every five years to attract the interests of the students. All teachers wanted the curriculum Development Centre to produce the textbook for recorder teaching as it was from 1986 to 1992.

3. Methodology At present, all music teachers teach recorder using the correct British fingering. Although it was not stated clearly in the KBSR music curriculum that to what approach to used in teaching recorder, almost 50% of music teachers tend to apply the Kodaly method in recorder teaching. The students were taught to read the notes in solfege before they played the piece. 4. Teacher training, recorder workshops, conferences or master classes Most primary school music teachers in the Kota Star District agreed that music teachers should be competent in recorder teaching. However, there was 60% of music teachers felt that they were not skilled enough in recorder playing and therefore found it difficult to teach the students. All music teachers learnt recorder playing in teachers college but almost 50% of them said that they were not well-taught. At present, there was not one recorder workshop nor master classes been held in Kota Star District. Only about 10% of music teachers had attended recorder master classes organized by the Yamaha Music School in Penang. 5. The difficulties teachers encountered in recorder teaching and their suggestions Lack of support from the school administrative and colleagues. Music classes are often used to teach other core subjects.

Students often forget to bring or even lost their instruments. Limited source of teaching materials provided by Curriculum Development Centre.

In this research, music teachers suggested that the teaching materials needed to be designed in a more organized and consistent way.

Moreover, music teachers should be more competent in both recorders teaching and performing.

Above all, teachers college, other higher learning institutes and Curriculum Development Centre should hold related seminars or courses periodically for music teachers.

Keywords

: KBSR System, Primary Schools, Recorder teaching, Perception and Practice

N.B.

: All the statistics above are based on the results of the pre-test.