Effects of active learning activities on viola students' performance achievements, motivation levels and their opinions on the course

In this study, it is aimed to determine the effects of active learning activities on viola students' performance achievements, motivation levels and their opinions on the course. In the study, the mixed method, in which both qualitative and quantitative data are analyzed together, was used. In the quantitative part of the study, single group pretest-posttest experimental design was used and in the qualitative part, case study method is used. The study group consist of 10 students (N = 10), 7 of them receiving Viola training within the scope of the Individual Instrument course at Gaziosmanpaşa University Fine Arts Education Department Music Education Department in the spring semester of 2014-2015 academic year and 3 students within the scope of Turkish and Western Music Instruments course at Tokat Fine Arts and Sports High School. During the eight-week practice, with the students in the study group, active learning-based activities which is prepared for the viola training took place. In the study, as a means of data collection, by adapting 'Exam Performance' dimension of 'Individual Instrument Training Violin Course Performance Achievement Measuring Tool' to the viola, the 'Motivation Section' part of 'Motivated Strategies for Learning Questionnaire' and semi-structured interview form which was prepared by the researcher by using expert opinions were used. In the quantitative part of the study, Wilcoxon's Signed Rank Test was used for the analysis of the pretest-posttest scores. To determine the effect size, 'r' values were calculated. Content analysis was conducted on the qualitative part of the interviews. According to the results of the study, it was determined that the activities based on active learning increased viola performance success, positively influenced the students' motivation for viola lesson and positively made changes in their opinions about viola lesson.