Exploring “Informal Learning” in Popular Music Education: Comparative Designs, Attitudes, Theoretical Frameworks, and Pedagogical Implications

Abstract

"Informal Learning" is a major innovation to introduce the informal music learning method of popular musicians into school music classroom practice, to let students experience and feel the music. Since it was introduced into school classrooms in 2006, it has attracted great attention in the field of music education. Nevertheless, the application is not wide. Therefore, this study was conducted to explore the main characteristics and themes on the application of informal learning in popular music education, understands the application of "informal learning" in music education from published scientific literatures. A systematic literature review was conducted using Web of Science and Scopus databases since 2006. The results from this analysis revealed that themes included: (i) impact, (ii) teachers' and students' attitudes, (iii) suggestion of informal learning in popular music education. The results of the study showed that “Informal Learning” has a significant impact on students' autonomy and creativity in the music classroom. It empowers students to have the autonomy to choose music and construct musical meanings. This study also found that “Informal Learning” has an impact on the paradigm shift of teachers' teaching strategies.