‘Seeing the bigger picture’: Experiential learning, applied ethnomusicology and the use of gamelan music in adult literacy education

Abstract

Highlighting the application of ethnomusicology beyond the traditional boundaries of the academy, this article investigates the use of music in adult literacy education. In 2005, as part of the Literacy and Equality in Irish Society (LEIS) project, adult literacy tutors working in Northern Ireland, United Kingdom (UK), were invited to enrol in short, professional-development courses that required their participation in a Balinese gamelan ensemble – an orchestra comprised mainly of metallophones, drums and gongs. During each course, tutors were encouraged to reflect upon their learning processes to help them become more empathetic with some of the difficulties faced by adult literacy students. By focusing on the tutors’ experiences of learning gamelan music, this article provides insights into how participants used these development courses as a means to critically reflect upon issues of approach to teaching adult literacy education.