8/18/2019 PhD Abstract (FF-oct07)

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Music Performance in Educational Settings

PhD Candidate: Filippo Fanò – Interaction Design Centre – University of Limerick  

Supervisor: Dr. Annette Aboulafia – Interaction Design Centre – University of Limerick  

 Abstract

My research aims to investigate the complex phenomena of music performances as learning

experiences. The contribution of the PhD will be both theoretical and applicative. Primarily, the

research will attempt to develop an understanding of musical performances as educational

experiences. Secondary, it will explore the potential of musical performances in the field of

Technology Enhanced Learning systems in order to define assemblies of artefacts that can enhance

learning capabilities within those contexts.

The growth and the diffusion of Information Technologies (IT) represent one of the most promising

innovations to improve teaching and learning within the classroom as well as in working andentertainment environments (Brown, J.S., 1989; Weiser, M., 1991). Although within the interaction

design field many important results have been achieved in the design of tools and multimediaenvironments for actively supporting learning and teaching (Resnick, M., 2002; Ciolfi, L. and L.

Bannon, 2003; Rizzo, A., Marti, P., Decortis, F., Rutgers, J., & Thursfield, P., 2003) current

research lacks practical, theoretical and methodological concerns for understanding educational

 potentialities of performance contexts (such as e.g. in music, drama, fine arts), and for enhancing

learning capabilities within such contexts through the introduction of novel artefacts.

In order to bridge this gap, the research will orientate into:

-  the exploration and definition of a range of music performances in order to structurecontextual elements that characterize those as educational experiences;

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the formulation of a set of hypotheses that will need to be validated (or falsified) in theconcrete situation;

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the consequent design of experimental conditions and low-fi prototypes for probing those

hypotheses in the field of primary education, which is the main context I’m working with;

-  the refinement of design concepts and the definition of a theoretical framework for better

understanding learning and educational experiences within musical performance.

Currently most of the research efforts are concentred toward the definition of a phenomenology of

artistic performance. A  performance  comprises an event in which generally one  group of people 

(the performer or performers) behave in a particular way for another group of people (the viewer or

viewers, or audience). Sometimes the dividing line between performer and audience may become

 blurred. Performances might take place daily, or at some other regular interval. The ethnographer

Jeff Todd Titon (1988: 7-10; 2001) affirms that one of the most important issues to understand

when we speak about musical performances is the complex web of performers intensions/audienceexpectations that occur in performance contexts. The performers may intend to stimulate the

audience, make money, enjoy their playing or singing or communicating some explicit or implicitmessage. While the audience may expect to take part at a certain rite or ceremony, have some fun,

or learn something from the experience...

This last point is in particular the key topic of my research. How does the musical performance

contribute to or affect the learning process within primary school children? What is the role or thecontribution of musical performances in primary school children learning processes?