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Education Is Growth: Exploring the Effectiveness and Practicality of Pre-Service Music Teacher Education in Northern China through Dewey's Lens

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Title: Education Is Growth: Exploring the Effectiveness and Practicality of Pre-Service Music Teacher Education in Northern China through Dewey's Lens
Language: English
Authors: Lin Fang (ORCID 0009-0007-0448-9527), Ku Wing Cheong (ORCID 0000-0002-7818-8424), Chiew Hwa Poon (ORCID 0000-0003-1205-6880)
Source: SAGE Open. 2025 15(4).
Availability: SAGE Publications. 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. Tel: 800-818-7243; Tel: 805-499-9774; Fax: 800-583-2665; e-mail: journals@sagepub.com; Web site: https://sagepub.com
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 13
Publication Date: 2025
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Elementary Education
Secondary Education
Descriptors: Foreign Countries, Music Teachers, Elementary School Teachers, Secondary School Teachers, Teacher Education Programs, Goal Orientation, Reflection, Learning Theories, Teacher Attitudes, Educational Practices, Teaching Methods, Pedagogical Content Knowledge, Instructional Effectiveness
Geographic Terms: China
DOI: 10.1177/21582440251395198
ISSN: 2158-2440
Abstract: This study explores the effectiveness and practicality of pre-service music teacher education in northern China through the lens of Dewey's pragmatic educational theory, which emphasizes that education is life, growth, and transformation through experience. Dewey emphasized the importance of reflecting on educational experiences for teacher preparation. In this qualitative study, 15 in-service music teachers from elementary and secondary schools were interviewed about the value of their learning and teaching experiences. Findings reveal that teaching practice and subject content knowledge are perceived as the most valuable and effective components of music teacher education. However, the lack of structured practice mentoring and the limited practical relevance of teacher education courses emerged as significant challenges, hindering the development of teaching skills and professional confidence. The study highlights the importance of clear educational goals and teaching reflective ability in enhancing programs effectiveness. Drawing on Dewey's "Education as growth" theory, the study argues that meaningful learning occurs through the interaction of action and reflection, and that structured teaching experiences are essential for professional development. The results suggest that improving the quality of mentor support, increasing the practical relevance of teacher education courses, and fostering reflective and goal-oriented teaching strategies can significantly enhance the effectiveness of pre-service music teacher education. The study underscores the importance of contextualized practice and experiential continuity in supporting the professional development of future music educators and enhancing the sustainability of music education in society.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: EJ1495883
Database: ERIC
FullText Text:
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  Data: Education Is Growth: Exploring the Effectiveness and Practicality of Pre-Service Music Teacher Education in Northern China through Dewey's Lens
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Lin+Fang%22">Lin Fang</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0009-0007-0448-9527">0009-0007-0448-9527</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Ku+Wing+Cheong%22">Ku Wing Cheong</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7818-8424">0000-0002-7818-8424</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Chiew+Hwa+Poon%22">Chiew Hwa Poon</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1205-6880">0000-0003-1205-6880</externalLink>)
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22SAGE+Open%22"><i>SAGE Open</i></searchLink>. 2025 15(4).
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  Data: SAGE Publications. 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. Tel: 800-818-7243; Tel: 805-499-9774; Fax: 800-583-2665; e-mail: journals@sagepub.com; Web site: https://sagepub.com
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  Data: 13
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22Elementary+Education%22">Elementary Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22Secondary+Education%22">Secondary Education</searchLink>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Foreign+Countries%22">Foreign Countries</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Music+Teachers%22">Music Teachers</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Elementary+School+Teachers%22">Elementary School Teachers</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Secondary+School+Teachers%22">Secondary School Teachers</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Teacher+Education+Programs%22">Teacher Education Programs</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Goal+Orientation%22">Goal Orientation</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Reflection%22">Reflection</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Learning+Theories%22">Learning Theories</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Teacher+Attitudes%22">Teacher Attitudes</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Educational+Practices%22">Educational Practices</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Teaching+Methods%22">Teaching Methods</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Pedagogical+Content+Knowledge%22">Pedagogical Content Knowledge</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Instructional+Effectiveness%22">Instructional Effectiveness</searchLink>
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  Label: Geographic Terms
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22China%22">China</searchLink>
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  Data: 10.1177/21582440251395198
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  Data: 2158-2440
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  Data: This study explores the effectiveness and practicality of pre-service music teacher education in northern China through the lens of Dewey's pragmatic educational theory, which emphasizes that education is life, growth, and transformation through experience. Dewey emphasized the importance of reflecting on educational experiences for teacher preparation. In this qualitative study, 15 in-service music teachers from elementary and secondary schools were interviewed about the value of their learning and teaching experiences. Findings reveal that teaching practice and subject content knowledge are perceived as the most valuable and effective components of music teacher education. However, the lack of structured practice mentoring and the limited practical relevance of teacher education courses emerged as significant challenges, hindering the development of teaching skills and professional confidence. The study highlights the importance of clear educational goals and teaching reflective ability in enhancing programs effectiveness. Drawing on Dewey's "Education as growth" theory, the study argues that meaningful learning occurs through the interaction of action and reflection, and that structured teaching experiences are essential for professional development. The results suggest that improving the quality of mentor support, increasing the practical relevance of teacher education courses, and fostering reflective and goal-oriented teaching strategies can significantly enhance the effectiveness of pre-service music teacher education. The study underscores the importance of contextualized practice and experiential continuity in supporting the professional development of future music educators and enhancing the sustainability of music education in society.
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  Data: 2026
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        Value: 10.1177/21582440251395198
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    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Foreign Countries
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      – SubjectFull: Music Teachers
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Elementary School Teachers
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      – SubjectFull: China
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      – TitleFull: Education Is Growth: Exploring the Effectiveness and Practicality of Pre-Service Music Teacher Education in Northern China through Dewey's Lens
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