The Impact of the Soundscape on University Life: Critical Music Education as a Tool for Awareness and Transformation

This study explores the impact of soundscapes on the emotional and academic experiences of preservice teachers enrolled in music education courses within an elementary education degree program. It focuses on the framework of critical music education and future teachers’ reflections on soundscapes, e...

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Main Authors: José Salvador Blasco-Magraner, Pablo Marín-Liébana, Amparo Hurtado-Soler, Ana María Botella-Nicolás
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-05-01
Series:Education Sciences
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2227-7102/15/5/600
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author José Salvador Blasco-Magraner
Pablo Marín-Liébana
Amparo Hurtado-Soler
Ana María Botella-Nicolás
author_facet José Salvador Blasco-Magraner
Pablo Marín-Liébana
Amparo Hurtado-Soler
Ana María Botella-Nicolás
author_sort José Salvador Blasco-Magraner
collection DOAJ
description This study explores the impact of soundscapes on the emotional and academic experiences of preservice teachers enrolled in music education courses within an elementary education degree program. It focuses on the framework of critical music education and future teachers’ reflections on soundscapes, emphasizing the importance of fostering awareness of the acoustic environment. The study uses a mixed-methods approach, including a quasi-experimental design and group discussions, to assess the emotional and cognitive effects of listening to natural versus urban soundscapes among preservice teachers (<i>n</i> = 89). The results indicate that listening to natural soundscapes significantly increases positive emotions and reduces negative emotions, while urban soundscapes have the opposite effect. Group discussions revealed that university campus soundscapes, often dominated by traffic and construction noise, negatively impacts students’ socialization, relaxation, and concentration, potentially affecting their academic performance. The study suggests incorporating soundscape awareness and critical listening into music education programs to foster both environmental and social awareness among students and to support the development of critical consciousness in future educators and citizens.
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series Education Sciences
spelling doaj-art-1d2cba90620e457bb6e9151c1e151c5f2025-08-20T03:47:49ZengMDPI AGEducation Sciences2227-71022025-05-0115560010.3390/educsci15050600The Impact of the Soundscape on University Life: Critical Music Education as a Tool for Awareness and TransformationJosé Salvador Blasco-Magraner0Pablo Marín-Liébana1Amparo Hurtado-Soler2Ana María Botella-Nicolás3Department of Didactics of Physical, Artistic and Music Education, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, SpainDepartment of Didactics of Physical, Artistic and Music Education, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, SpainDepartment of Didactics of Experimental and Social Sciences, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, SpainDepartment of Didactics of Physical, Artistic and Music Education, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, SpainThis study explores the impact of soundscapes on the emotional and academic experiences of preservice teachers enrolled in music education courses within an elementary education degree program. It focuses on the framework of critical music education and future teachers’ reflections on soundscapes, emphasizing the importance of fostering awareness of the acoustic environment. The study uses a mixed-methods approach, including a quasi-experimental design and group discussions, to assess the emotional and cognitive effects of listening to natural versus urban soundscapes among preservice teachers (<i>n</i> = 89). The results indicate that listening to natural soundscapes significantly increases positive emotions and reduces negative emotions, while urban soundscapes have the opposite effect. Group discussions revealed that university campus soundscapes, often dominated by traffic and construction noise, negatively impacts students’ socialization, relaxation, and concentration, potentially affecting their academic performance. The study suggests incorporating soundscape awareness and critical listening into music education programs to foster both environmental and social awareness among students and to support the development of critical consciousness in future educators and citizens.https://www.mdpi.com/2227-7102/15/5/600soundscapecritical music educationuniversitystudent teachersemotion
spellingShingle José Salvador Blasco-Magraner
Pablo Marín-Liébana
Amparo Hurtado-Soler
Ana María Botella-Nicolás
The Impact of the Soundscape on University Life: Critical Music Education as a Tool for Awareness and Transformation
Education Sciences
soundscape
critical music education
university
student teachers
emotion
title The Impact of the Soundscape on University Life: Critical Music Education as a Tool for Awareness and Transformation
title_full The Impact of the Soundscape on University Life: Critical Music Education as a Tool for Awareness and Transformation
title_fullStr The Impact of the Soundscape on University Life: Critical Music Education as a Tool for Awareness and Transformation
title_full_unstemmed The Impact of the Soundscape on University Life: Critical Music Education as a Tool for Awareness and Transformation
title_short The Impact of the Soundscape on University Life: Critical Music Education as a Tool for Awareness and Transformation
title_sort impact of the soundscape on university life critical music education as a tool for awareness and transformation
topic soundscape
critical music education
university
student teachers
emotion
url https://www.mdpi.com/2227-7102/15/5/600
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