Modern societies are changing, and issues such as globalization, climate change, migration, technological innovation etc. call for educational changes. In response to such challenges, recent policy documents signal new directions for Norwegian schools and curricula. At heart of the announced changes lie concepts like 21st century skills, citizenship, critical thinking and innovation.
A pertinent question for educational institutions, including the new five-year teacher education in Norway, then, is how to educate under such conditions. We suggest that the music programs of the current Norwegian general teacher education (GTE) could be better equipped with regard to facilitating musical and educational learning from a contemporary as well as from a future perspective. In 2019, the Music Teacher Education for the Future (FUTURED) project finally launched for – the future – a project receiving excellent marks from the Norwegian Research Council.
The FUTURED main research objectives are: (1) To challenge the status quo of music teacher education in Norway, and (2) to develop innovative and collaborative practices that could foster students’ collaborative, critical and democratic capacities.
FUTURED is developed as a FINNUT project, led by professor Catharina Christophersen (Ph.D.), who is also the principal investigator of the research project. Researchers from two of the largest general teacher education (GTE) institutions in Norway (Western Norway University of Applied Sciences and Oslo Metropolitan University) are critically exploring Norwegian music teacher education. The project draws on theoretical insights from critical (music)pedagogy, educational philosophy, cultural studies and public pedagogy. The research design will mainly be educational action research, starting with a review and critical mapping of existing practices, and then initiating action research cycles of identifying issues, planning action, taking action, and evaluating action.
About FUTURED
The FUTURED project aims to discuss the current educational situation in GTE music programs, develop new teaching approaches and propose new directions for music teaching and music teacher education.
The project starts from the following claims: a) Music teacher education needs to relate to societal needs and challenges, and b) Music teacher education needs approaches that can cater for versatile musicianship and learning styles, as well as critical reflection.
Latest news
- Upcoming FUTURED webinar in SeptemberIn September, the FUTURED project will arrange an online webinar in collaboration with the Department of Arts Education (Western Norway … Read more
- Meetings with the FUTURED Scientific Advisory BoardThis spring, the FUTURED researchers and the Scientific Advisory Board have met online to present, discuss and reflect together on … Read more
- Successful midway evaluation for Eyolf NysætherOn the 2 of June, 2021, FUTUREDs` Ph.D.-candidate Eyolf Nysæther had his midway evaluation. Eyolf is a part of the … Read more
- Meet the researchers: Monica LindgrenMonica Lindgren (PhD) is professor of music education and the head of research and postgraduate education within music and arts … Read more
- FUTURED researchers represented at music education conference in UgandaLate April 2021, FUTURED researchers Bendik Fredriksen and Hanne Rinholm presented results from their ongoing study at the third biannual … Read more
- FUTURED well represented at RiME2021The week after Easter, several of the FUTURED researchers’ schedules were filled up with The Twelfth International Research in Music … Read more
- Meet the researchers: Øystein Røsseland KvingeØystein Kvinge is Associate Professor in music at the Western Norway University of Applied Sciences. In this post, you will … Read more
- Meet the researchers: Jon Helge SætreJon Helge Sætre is Associate Professor in music education at the Norwegian Academy of Music (NMH). He is also the … Read more
- FUTURED researchers at the NNRME 2021Early March 2021, the Nordic Network for Research in Music Education (NNRME) arranged an online virtual conference. The conference was … Read more
- Relation-centered education: Origins, rationale and possible importance for music teacher educationThis text is written by Professor Kari Holdhus, who is a researcher in the FUTURED WP3. She introduced the topic … Read more