Exploring Collaborative and Creative Learning Experience Through Playing Ocarina Ensemble in Chinese Public Schools

Abstract

The current general music class in China, especially in low income communities, does not provide students many opportunities to gain ensemble playing experiences, due to the cost of getting and maintaining various instruments and to the lack of music teachers who know and have experiences of teaching ensembles and the various instruments. According to current teaching pedagogy and learning theories, ensemble playing and collaborative and creative learning experiences are important to students. This chapter presents the value and benefits of group playing, collaborative and creative learning models, and the reasons for choosing ocarina as a media for gaining group playing experiences in Chinese public schools. In the last part of the chapter, some ocarina teaching activities are explored and discussed as examples of how students can learn creatively and collaboratively and gain ensemble playing experiences.