Comparing Orff and Traditional Methods: Impact on Participation, Performance, and Understanding in Basic Music Courses at Jiangxi University of Technology
List of Authors
Wang Shiyao, Zaheril Zainudin
Keyword
Orff Music Teaching Method, Traditional Music Education, Student Engagement, Musical Performance, Music Pedagogy
Abstract
Students in the Primary Education program at China's Jiangxi University of Technology participated actively, performed well, and understood the material in basic music classes taught using either the Orff or traditional methods of instruction. Traditional methods provide an emphasis on theoretical understanding, rote memorization, and technical correctness; Orff methods place an emphasis on collaborative learning, active engagement, improvisation, and movement. Although the Orff method has many benefits, it is not yet widely used in China due to factors such as a shortage of qualified educators and insufficient studies evaluating its efficacy in educating the next generation of educators. Students in the Basic Music Course were the subjects of a cross-sectional study. Students' participation, understanding, and performance were evaluated using a 5-point Likert scale in a structured questionnaire that was given to them under both teaching methods. Data analysis for the study was carried out using descriptive and inferential statistical techniques within the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). Research shows that when compared to more conventional approaches, the Orff method greatly improves students' involvement, performance, and understanding. There was a highly significant positive association (p < 0.05) between the Orff approach and enhanced musical outcomes, as shown by regression analysis. Further evidence of the significance of experiential and interactive learning comes from the fact that student participation mediated the connection between the Orff method and students' musical performance. While both approaches help students learn music, the study found that the Orff method created a more pleasant and productive classroom setting. The success of this approach suggests that music education schools should include Orff-based methods in their curricula. Research into the Orff method's adaptability to various educational contexts and its long-term impacts on students' pedagogical abilities is warranted.