Analysing the object of learning, using phenomenography: Music education in Swedish grade five classrooms

In this paper, knowledge concerning the meaning of knowing the object of learning is developed using learning study as a research approach. The purpose of this paper is to show how the object of learning, in this case, playing with groove in rhythmic sequences, can be analysed and recognised using phenomenography.

The paper reports on a learning study conducted in three different fifth grade elementary school classes. Seven music teachers were involved in preparing the pre-test, designing three research lessons and analysing the material.

The findings show that several aspects of the object of learning must be discerned by the learner in order to experience the chosen object of learning and develop in the learning situation. The phenomenographic analysis contributed to refining the meaning of the object of learning.

In a learning study, knowledge concerning the meaning of the object of learning is generated. The development and specification of this knowledge will be empirically revealed through the analysis process. This paper will contribute to the discussion concerning what must be known in order to develop a specific capability in music education, namely, the capability to feel the groove.