Equity in Music Education Establish Safer Learning Environments Using Student-Centered Music Activities

• Published in: Music educators journal Vol. 105; no. 1; pp. 57 - 60
• Main Author: Fung, Alex W.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Los Angeles, CA SAGE Publishing 01-09-2018; SAGE Publications; Sage Publications Ltd
• Subjects: Bullying; Educational Environment; Features; Learning; Learning environment; Music; Music Activities; Music Education; Music Teachers; Safety; Student Centered Learning; Victims
• ISSN: 0027-4321; 1945-0087
• DOI: 10.1177/0027432118788263

The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services defines bullying as "unwanted, aggressive behavior among school-age children that involves a real or perceived power imbalance. The behavior is repeated, or has the potential to be repeated, over time." Music educators Kenneth Elpus and Bruce Allen Carter found significant evidence that music ensemble and theatre students were more likely than non-music ensemble and theatre participants to be victimized by bullies. Bullying can happen anywhere and to anyone. Because music students are more likely to be bullied than non-music students, music educators and students are obliged to understand, recognize, and prevent bullying. Student-centered learning promotes the idea of student independence. Students perceive more autonomy and less adult authority in student-centered and student-generated learning structures. As a classroom teacher, the author shares student-centered approaches he has found successful in combating bullying. The approaches are based on fostering cooperation and providing students with opportunities to exercise civility and shared leadership.