The Effects of Free Play As an Instructional Tool on the Quality of Improvisation of First, Second, and Third Grade Children

To look at the effect of free play on the musical improvisations of first, second and third grade children, 108 children were randomly assigned to either a control or treatment group. Subjects were tested using a researcher-designed instrument to elicit an improvisatory response. The control group then received regular music instruction (120 minutes every 2 weeks) and the treatment group received regular music instruction in conjunction with musical free play (100 minutes of instruction and 20 minutes of free play every 2 weeks). The treatment lasted 14 weeks. At the end of the treatment, all students were tested with the same testing instrument used for the pre test. Videotapes of the improvisations were submitted to three independent judges to rate for quality on a 5-point Likert scale. The change in ratings between pre and post tests were analyzed with an analysis of variance to determine if there were significant differences between the control and treatment groups. The analysis of the data revealed no significant difference in the change of ratings between control and treatment groups for the group as a whole, or for any particular grade level within the total group.

Grantor dc:publisher

University of North Texas

Year dc:date

2000

Author dc:creator

• Burger, Tammie L.

Contributors dc:contributor

• May, William V.
• Froehlich, Hildegard
• Ramsey, Darhyl S. (Darhyl Sterling)
• Rohwer, Debbie Ann, 1966-

• Improvisation (Music)
• Education, Primary.
• Play.
• Child development.
• control group
• treatment group
• free play
• musical improvisation

Statement dc:rights

• Public
• Copyright
• Burger, Tammie L.
• Copyright is held by the author, unless otherwise noted. All rights reserved.

Language dc:language

English

Identifier

oclc: 47879677
https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc2730/
ark: ark:/67531/metadc2730

OAI identifier oai:identifier

info:ark/67531/metadc2730