2005
Thompson Symposium for Masters Degree Students:
Research in Practice
at Penn State
On April 30, 2005 The Penn State School of Music hosted the second biennial symposium, named for Dr. Keith Thompson upon his retirement from the music education faculty. The purpose of the Symposium was to provide a forum for Masters students to share their research and interact in a scholarly and friendly environment.
The Symposium drew 28 participants from New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, New Jersey, Michigan and Florida, representing masters, doctoral and undergraduate students, as well as practicing and retired faculty from nine Universities. The variety of participants, both National and International, made for lively and interesting discussions!
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Keynote speaker Dr. Sandra Stauffer Dr. Stauffer is the Evelyn Smith Professor fo Music at Arizona State University. Her most recent research has been a study of children's creative and critical thinking in music. |
Dr. Sandra Stauffer gave the keynote address, following a continental breakfast where the participants had a chance to meet one another. Her keynote address was entitled "Notes on Research, Teaching and Composition". After her address, Dr. Stauffer provided discussion questions, and the assembly broke into small groups to further explore the ideas of the keynote.
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Dr. Thompson leads one of the discussion groups. |
After coming back together to share the group discussion, the participants had lunch...
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More conversations continued during lunch! |
...and then particpated in the poster session.
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Barry Atticks, Drexel University: "New Music Education: The Explosion of Music Industry Programs in Higher Education"
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Daniel Albert, University of Michigan: "Collegiate Music Educators' Reflections on the Student Teaching Experience: A Potential for Dialogue" Daniel was also one of the five presenters selected to discuss their Masters paper topic during the afternoon research session. |
A total of seventeen posters were presented . The remaining participants were:
Kimberly Council, Susquehanna University; Student Career Perception: 6th -11th Grade Music Students' Assessment of Self-Efficacy, Social Perception & Potential Enjoyment for Music Ed & Other Possible Careers
Elizabeth Fino-Radin, Penn State University; The Effects of Heterogeneous and Nomogeneous Instruction on Beginning String Students' Musicality
Karla Hamlen, University of Buffalo; Classical Music in Middle School: Does Multimedia Affect Preference?
Dennis Holt, University of North Florida; The Effective Use of Educational Technology to Improve the Teaching Practices of Pre-Service Teachers of Music
Patrice Turner, NY Teacher's College; Systematic Research in Private Piano Instruction
Adam Gohr, Penn State University; Self-Assessment in the Instructional Ensemble: Its Accuracy and Effects on Student Performance and Attitude
Sarah Watts, Penn State University; Community Culture and Music Education; Music Teachers' Approach to Instructing in Urban, Suburban and Rural Communities
Lori Anne Elias, Cleveland State; Atlantic Canadian Folksongs in General Music Curricula
Mary Mundy, West Chester University; Criteria for Designing Partnerships for Music Teacher Education between Higher Education Institutions and K-12 Schools for Field Experiences and Student Teaching
Sarah Perry, NY Teacher's College; The Role of Music in the Development of Communication Skills of Children
Yun-Fei Hsee, Penn State University; An Investigation of the Interactions Between Parent and Toddler During Informal Unstructured Music Activities
Bethanne Stone, NY Teacher's College; Understanding the Dynamics of the Voice Studio
Greg Drane, Penn State University; Study of Attitudes of Elementary Students Toward Disabilities in General Music Classrooms
Beth Gibbs, Penn State University; Assessment of Peer Teaching in Undergraduate Music Education Courses
Sookja Woo, Penn State University; Differences in Musical Aptitude Among High School Band, Orchestra, and Choir Students
After a short break, the participants adjourned to hear the Masters paper presentations. Each presenter gave a 10-minute introduction to his or her research.
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Mary Mundy, West Chester University Criteria for Designing Partnerships for Music Teacher Education between Higher Education Institutions and K-12 Schools for field Experiences and Student Teaching |
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Bethanne Stone, Columbia Teacher's College The Role of Music in the Development of Communication Skills of Children |
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Lori Anne Elias, Cleveland State University Atlantic Canadian Folksongs in General Music Curricula |
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Sarah Perry, Columbia Teacher's College The Role of Music in the Development of Communication Skills of Children
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After hearing about the research, the attendees broke into groups for discussions with the presenters. These small groups broke out one additional time so there could be discussion with more than one presenter.
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Mary Mundy's group |
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Dan Albert leads his group's discussion |
Final closing remarks were given by Dr. Thompson, for whom the symposium is named.
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Dr. Thompson bringing it all together. |
The Thompson Symposium will be held again at Penn State in the Spring of 2007. Please check this Web site for dates, submission information, and updates. The music education faculty at Penn State continues to support the work of masters degree students engaged in systematic inquiry that supports their practice, as well as the practice of other teachers.
Comments, suggestions, and questions can be emailed to Dr. Linda Thornton at lct12@psu.edu.
Penn State Music Education Faculty and Staff:
Russell Bloom, Publicity, Recruitment and Student Teaching support
O. Richard Bundy Instrumental Music Education
Debbie Campbell, Music for the Classroom Teacher
Ann Clements, General Music Education
Norene Ferris, Coordinator, Partnership for Music Teacher Excellence
Robert Gardner, Instrumental/String Music Education
Anthony Leach, Choral Music Education
Joanne Rutkowski, General Music Education, Area Coordinator
Lisa Stamm, Music Education Secretary
Linda Thornton, Instrumental Music Education