Introducing Musical Applications: games and assessment tools, based on recent research studies in Hungarian music education (Workshop)

Type of Abstract (select): Workshop

Abstract (max. 250 words):
In recent decades, the role of children's musical skills has become increasingly important owing to the growing body of scientific research and their results in music education. The renewal of music education was promoted by the Content Pedagogy Research Program supported by the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, within the framework of which two Hungarian music research groups started the 4-year-long research programs in 2016. The MTA-LFZE Active Music Learning Research Group was led by László Norbert Nemes. The group developed two music pedagogy models based on the Kodály Concept, i.e. the Creative singing games with rhythmic movements and the Dynamic music learning, an adaptation of Klára Kokas’s pedagogy.
The research group of the Faculty of Music of the University of Szeged, the MTA-SZTE Music Methodology Research Group – led by Márta Janurik – aimed at enriching music methodology culture based on Hungarian traditions, using the latest technological achievements. A software program called ‘Music Island’ was developed (zenesziget.eu), which is suitable for teaching music to 6-10-year-old pupils. It is equipped with a digital task bank, and a collection of musical exercises. In the workshop, as a member of the second research group, I introduce useful applications, a collection of rhythmic and melodic games, singing activities, and online assessment systems that improve music teaching and learning based on the latest scientific findings. The aim of the activities is to introduce to the participants the joy of playing games and singing songs together, listening to music by applying a few music apps (like Zenesziget), introducing musical experiences, understanding and enjoyment. (maximum 35 persons)


Brief Professional Bio (max. 100 words):
Zsuzsa Buzás Csontosné is a college senior lecturer in music education. She received her two MA diplomas in Music Teaching and Choral Conducting, and in Music Theory and Teaching at the University of Debrecen. She has an English Teacher BA diploma, as well. She received her PhD in Educational Science at the University of Szeged in the field of music methodology in 2017. She earned two long-term research scholarships to Luxembourg University twice, and a one-month research scholarship to Ball State University, Indiana, US. Her research interests focus on musical skills, music literacy, digital technologies, and assessment in music education.