An analysis of music teachers' use of contemporary teaching methods in their classrooms

The purpose of this study was to examine the use of contemporary teaching methods by music teachers in their music classes. In this descriptive study, which aimed to assess the current situation, the use of contemporary teaching methods by music teachers in their classes was examined in terms of certain variables. The study employed a survey model, and data were collected through interviews with 23 music teachers who voluntarily agreed to participate in the research. During the data collection process, a semi-structured interview form developed in accordance with expert opinions was used. The data obtained in the study were analyzed using content analysis according to predefined themes, and new subthemes and codes were created based on the findings. Although the findings indicate that the majority of participants took courses, the high number of music teachers who did not take such courses as part of their undergraduate studies suggests that institutions providing professional music education do not offer an equal and standardized education in this regard; the number of music teachers who took courses on contemporary music teaching methods outside of their undergraduate studies is close to the number of those who did not; teachers are eager to improve their skills in contemporary teaching methods after graduation, but not all teachers have widespread access to the same opportunities; they consider the physical conditions of the institutions where they work to be sufficient because they have music classrooms and smart boards; they use these methods in their lessons, though a significant number of participants face certain limitations in implementation; they consider the use of contemporary music teaching methods in music classes to be necessary; and it was concluded that differences in physical conditions between schools, a lack of materials, large class sizes, and insufficient class hours were identified as the key factors limiting the feasibility of the educational model. KEYWORDS: Contemporary Music Teaching Methods, Music Teacher, Music Lessons.