Is musical achievement linked to learning styles ?: an investigation into a year 6 instrumental band program

Master of EducationThis study examines the question of whether musical achievement is linked to learning styles. The research study focuses on issues of multiple learning style definitions, positive and negative aspects of testing for learning styles. Additionally the arguments for and against the identification and matching of learning styles is explored. Popularity, commercial appeal and avenues to achievement are major issues arising out of the literature. Conclusions: The research group is a Year 6 Band Program at a Prep to Year 12 school in the northwest suburbs of Melbourne. Participants included 56 students who play a range of band instruments for the first time. Academic results from students' musical performances were compiled and compared to the results of a learning styles questionnaire. The questionnaire used was Reid's Perceptual Learning Styles Preference Questionnaire (PLSPQ). Learning style questions covered 6 major styles- Kinesthetic, Individual, Group, Auditory, Visual, and Tactile. Results from the questionnaire were analysed in a quantitative manner. Five analyses were run derived from the questionnaire data pertaining to: the whole cohort, gender, instrument type, achievement level and the combination of all variables. Results showed that differences lie between gender and achievement level. Levels of achievement across the participants were exceptionally high therefore certain components of the research question could suggest further research into medium to low achieving students. Nonetheless, insight into learning styles of beginner instrumentalists is found and informing of educational practice is concluded. With this stated, ground has arguably been established for further research into this topic