In this session, faculty and students involved in the JMUke project will: (a) review relevant research literature related to informal and participatory learning as well as the intersection of maker culture and music learning; (b) facilitate a truncated JMUke session in which participants build and play ukuleles; and (c) facilitate a discussion exploring possibilities for integrating participatory and/or community-based experiences into music courses (and other arts-based courses). Throughout, presenters will discuss elements of experience design and social impact related to JMUke project (drawing on data generated at actual JMUke events hosted by students).
At JMU and in the surrounding community, most opportunities for individuals to experience music are presentational in nature. While these may be meaningful experiences for some, the prevalence of presentational music may limit music-making opportunities for community members. Recent research indicates that existing presentational music groups engage only 10-20% of K-12 students nationally, and just 5% of American adults identify as participants in community presentational music making. JMUke, a project funded by a JMU Faculty Senate Mini-Grant, attempts to address this problem by engaging undergraduate music students through using technologies and pedagogical techniques heretofore underrepresented in their pre-service teacher education. Students participating in this project build ukuleles and plan participatory music making/learning events at various locations in the community, addressing various populations (e.g., children, adults, families).
