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An activity theory analysis of the relationship between student identity and the assessment of group composing at school

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  17 October 2017

Vicki Thorpe
Vicki Thorpe*
Affiliation:
Victoria University of Wellington, Kelburn Parade, Kelburn, Wellington 6140, New Zealand vicki.thorpe@vuw.ac.nz
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Abstract

The purpose of this article is to contribute to existing literature about how activity theory might be used in music education research. It draws from the author's doctoral action research into the assessment of group composing for New Zealand's secondary school qualification, the National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA). It outlines and explains how activity theory was used to examine three interacting activities: social jamming, group composing and achievement in the NCEA. Analysis revealed a relationship between students’ identities, their achievement in NCEA group composing, and socio-economic disparity.

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Type
Research Article
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British Journal of Music Education , Volume 35 , Issue 1 , March 2018 , pp. 5 - 22
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Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2017 

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