The Use of Student-Directed Instruction by Middle School Band Teachers

The purpose of this study was to describe the teaching and learning strategies demonstrated by middle school band teachers who reported a student-directed teaching style. This study used a two-stage mixed methods design prioritizing quantitative data analysis, but also collecting qualitative data in the second stage to provide a deeper perspective. In the first stage, quantitative data were gathered using a researcher-designed demographic questionnaire and Gumm's Music Teaching Style Inventory (MTSI) (2004b). From a sample of 122 middle school band teachers, 49 surveys were returned (40.2%). Stage I data were analyzed to determine participant teaching styles and examine relationships and differences among selected demographics and MTSI scores. In the second stage, three of the most student-directed band teachers were observed and videotaped during five rehearsals each and interviewed. Videotapes, fieldnotes, and interviews provided insight into student-directed philosophies of band teachers and teaching strategies used in band programs.