Japan's programming education: a critical focus on music in elementary schools

• Published in: Arts Education Policy Review Vol. 125; no. 2; pp. 81 - 93
• Main Author: Gazzano, Alan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English; Japanese
• Published: Washington Routledge 02.04.2024; Informa UK Limited; Taylor & Francis Inc
• Subjects: Algorithms; Compulsory education; computational thinking; Computer science; Content analysis; Education; elementary school; Elementary schools; Japan; Music; Music Education; Objectives; Programming; Strategies; Japan
• ISSN: 1063-2913; 1940-4395
• DOI: 10.1080/10632913.2021.1974996

This study examines the underpinnings of Japan's programming education in elementary school music, officially implemented nationwide in 2020. Through that reform, which has introduced programming thinking (a local version of computational thinking) in all areas of compulsory education, the country follows the international trend of reinforcing IT skills, considered essential for employability. However, Japan's cross-curricular policy raises questions on its implications for the arts, including music. In view of that, this study presents a content analysis of 12 recent Japanese-language sources, selected for reporting about activities that integrate programming education into music in elementary schools in Japan. As part of that analysis, the main objectives of those activities are described and examined together with their approaches to programming and music learning contents. Findings reveal the apparent lack of a specific theoretical framework aimed at music learning goals, and beliefs about a certain affinity between music and programming, only partially defined. They also show tensions between flexible and fixed-goal approaches to compositional activities, as well as several interpretations of IT terms that have permeated music education, namely, algorithm and program. This suggests new roles being attributed to music as a school subject in relation to computer science, a fact that leads to discussion about the need for specific strategies, in view of challenges and goals particular to this country, such as society 5.0.