An Investigation of Fine Arts High School Students’ Self-Efficacy Perceptions Towards Traditional Turkish Music Courses

Abstract

The aim of this study is to examine the self-efficacy perceptions of Fine Arts High School music students towards Traditional Turkish Music courses in relation to various variables. The research was conducted within the framework of the following question: “Is there a significant relationship between students’ self-efficacy perceptions towards Traditional Turkish Music courses and variables such as grade level, age, and gender?” A quantitative research method, specifically the survey model, was employed. The study group consisted of 203 students in the 10th, 11th, and 12th grades studying at Fine Arts High Schools in different regions of Türkiye. The data were collected using the “Self-Efficacy Perception Scale for Traditional Turkish Music Courses” developed by Çelenk and Şen (2016). Descriptive statistics, independent samples t-tests, and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used to analyze the data. The findings indicated that students’ self-efficacy perceptions were at a moderate level and differed significantly by gender, with male students reporting higher levels of self-efficacy. In addition, grade level showed a significant difference only in the Traditional Turkish Folk Music dimension, and self-efficacy perceptions varied according to the main instrument. As a result, it was concluded that students’ self-efficacy perceptions towards Traditional Turkish Music courses differ depending on various variables, and this should be taken into consideration in music education processes.