Primary music teachers’ efficacy in Hong Kong’s inclusive classrooms

ABSTRACT

This study analyses responses (n = 309, across 94 schools) to the General Self-Efficacy Scale (Zhang and Schwarzer [1995]. “Measuring Optimistic Self-Beliefs: A Chinese Adaptation of the General Self-Efficacy Scale.” Psychologia: An International Journal of Psychology in the Orient 38 (3): 174–181) from Hong Kong primary teachers of inclusive music classes. Analysis of these results sheds light on the impact that contextual reforms have on these non-core subject music teachers’ practice. Respondents’ perceived self-efficacy is moderate – characterised as a see-saw relationship between their personal and external domains. A possible behavioural intervention suggests professional-sharing being further enriched were current Education Bureau’s in-service SEN courses to be inclusive of all primary school subjects, including music. Specific factors that underpin these respondents ‘moderate’ self-efficacy are identified as forming two clusters, human resource management and stress, with possible behavioural interventions for these being outlined.

KEYWORDS:

• Primary music teachers
• inclusive education
• self-efficacy
• Hong Kong

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes on contributors

Marina Wai-yee Wong is associate professor at the Department of Education Studies of the Hong Kong Baptist University. She obtained PhD at the University of British Columbia in Canada. She is currently involved in teacher education courses with special focus on music teacher education. Her research interests include assessment in arts education, curriculum studies, inclusive music education and music teacher education.

Edmund Sze Shing Chan is senior research associate at the Department of Education Studies of the Hong Kong Baptist University, specialising in psychology of teaching. He graduated from the University of Alberta, with Psychology major and Statistics minor. He obtained MA and MPhil degrees of Humanities at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, and PhD degree in Education at the Hong Kong Baptist University.

Maria Pik-yuk Chik is a retired associate professor at the Department of Education Studies of the Hong Kong Baptist University. She obtained PhD at the Monash University in Australia. Her research interests include humour, play and psychological well-being, counselling and school guidance, special education and teacher education.

ORCID

Marina Wai-yee Wong http://orcid.org/0000-0003-2364-8435

Maria Pik-yuk Chik http://orcid.org/0000-0001-9011-8173

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by General Research Fund of Hong Kong Research Grants Council [grant number HKBU 248911].