Examining the sources of self-efficacy among instrumental music teachers

Abstract

This dissertation comprises three projects that were designed to investigate the extent that mastery experiences, verbal persuasions, vicarious experiences, and physiological state contribute to instrumental music teachers' self-efficacy. The first investigation was a review of the literature about self-efficacy and its sources among general education teachers, music teachers, and preservice teachers. The second investigation was a survey study of how instrumental teachers' self-efficacy for teaching strategies is influenced by its four sources. Results indicated concert band directors' self-efficacy related the most with mastery experiences, followed by verbal persuasions, physiological state, and vicarious experiences, respectively. Further investigation indicated levels of self-efficacy related with years of experience and self-perceptions of effective teaching. The third investigation was a case study of preservice instrumental teachers' self-efficacy and concerns. Participants' beliefs were most impacted by their familiarity with a setting and perceived success of previous pedagogical experiences. Results from these three projects indicated that instrumental music teachers' self-efficacy (a) is most influenced by the relative success of previous teaching experiences, (b) relates to effective teaching behaviors, and (c) improves with experience and familiarity in a setting.