A study on elementary school teachers’ perception of the use of plastic instruments in music classes

The purpose of this study is to investigate elementary school teachers' perception of plastic musical instruments used in music classes in a situation where the need for carbon neutrality is emerging as part of global efforts to respond to environmental pollution and the climate crisis through education for sustainable development. For this purpose, 111 teachers working in elementary schools were surveyed on their concepts and practice of sustainable development and carbon neutrality, as well as their perception of plastic musical instruments used in music classes. As a result of the analysis, First, 88.2% (98 teachers) of elementary school teachers understood the concepts of sustainable development, climate/ecological environment, and carbon neutrality, and 70.3% (78 teachers) of teachers responded that they reflected related content in class. Additionally, 91.0% (101 teachers) of teachers responded that they were well aware of microplastics, which are becoming a major issue in the environmental field, and that 90.0% (100 teachers) had a high correlation with plastic products. Second, 89.2% (99 teachers) of teachers responded that there were plastic musical instruments at school, and 86.5% (96 teachers) of teachers responded that they had experience using plastic instruments during music classes. Third, recorders, melodeons, and dansowere found to be the most commonly used plastic musical instruments during music classes. Fourth, in response to the use of plastic musical instruments during music classes, 73.0% (81 teachers) of teachers said they were concerned, and 72.0% (80 teachers) of teachers responded that there was a high possibility of inhaling microplastics when holding plastic instruments such as recorders or danso in the mouth. Fifth, the reasons for using a lot of plastic musical instruments were economic feasibility, portability, and ease of storage, and respondents answered that the most necessary things when using instruments made of eco-friendly materials are financial support and the development of eco-friendly instruments. Lastly, the personal opinions of elementary school teachers can be divided into finance, teaching, and research, and there were responses that above all, a change in teachers' perception was needed.