Higher DipEd, BMus (Honours), MMus, DMus
Senior Lecturer, School of Education and Professional Studies
Program Convenor, Bachelor of Education (Primary)
Program Leader, Bachelor of Education (Primary) Gold Coast
Program Convenor, Certificate Education Studies
Contact details for Dr Christopher Klopper
Professional page for Dr Christopher Klopper
Citation
2011 Group Learning and Teaching Citation in the Arts, Education and Law (AEL): For sustained passion, purpose, energy and enthusiasm for learning and teaching of Arts Education courses. Dr Klopper models and illustrates the importance, relevance, and integration of theory and knowledge with professional practice by developing solutions to real world issues. This is achieved through designing engaging, motivating and intellectually stimulating learning experiences for all students.
Research expertise
As a mid-career researcher my grant and publication record profiles sole and collaboratively authored research in the fields of creative arts education models, approaches and professional practice; music education for the non-specialist primary preservice teacher; the intentional provision of music in early childhood settings; academic mobility; musicians physiological response to prolonged performance; and trans-national intercultural musical communication. I started my research career as a positivist utilising quantative data to inform education policy. Over time a shift has taken place and I have evolved as an interpretavist who employs a range of mixed-method data collection techniques associated with: phenonmenology, ethnograpahy, and portraiture.I have four established research foci that propose to:
- study the professional practice of arts educators developing, implementing and sustaining arts education curriculum that effectively connects all students with the full range of benefits that can be derived from being involved in the arts through collaborative inquiry;
- explore the environment/s where music education happens in order to identify innovative pedagogical possibilities that anticipate the needs and challenges of the young people they serve;
- investigate the musician’s response to the application of sports science training techniques; and
- research technologically enhanced techniques for a coherent and flexible learning experience in arts education.
Research Grants
- Embedding sustainable peer observation and peer assistance for improving teaching practice at Griffith University: creating a culture and communities of practice to build capabilities (2012-2014), Griffith University Level 1 $168 500 Drew, S. (GIHE), Klopper, C. (Education and Professional Studies), Freudenberg, B. (Accounting, Finance and Economics), Alexander, H., Masters, J.(GIHE), Finger, G. Davies, L. (Arts, Education and Law), Campbell, K. (Law), Venema, S. (Information and Communication Technology), Barry, S. (Tourism, Leisure, Hotel and Sports Management), Fletcher, M. (Griffith Business School), Tedman, R. (Medicine), Massa, H. (Medical Science), Chipperfield,J. (Griffith Health)
- Capturing Learning: Building staff capacity to improve the quality and excellence of the student experience during and after lectures, (2012).Griffith University Level 3, $10 000 Sammel, A., Klopper, C., & Weir,K.
- A phenomenological inquiry into fostering a community of discourse in arts education: a model for professional development, (2011), Griffith University, $4999.
- Teaching and learning @ EPS: A collaborative approach to developing and supporting academic sessional staff, (2011), Griffith University, $14 491.
- Application and verification of a methodology that captures the professional practice of Arts Education, (2011), Griffith University, $3895.
- The Arts in practice: promoting learning across the arts, (2010), Griffith University, $7000.
Current teaching
- Music education
- Arts education
- Middle years music curriculum
- Communicative performance
Publications
Book Chapters
- Klopper, C. J., & Power, B. (2011). Mend the gap! An overview of classroom-based arts education research in Australia. In C. J. Klopper & S. Garvis (Ed.), Tapping into classroom practice of arts education: From inside out. Brisbane: Post Pressed.
- Klopper, C. J., & Garvis. S. (2011). Something old, something new, something borrowed but certainly not blue. In C. J. Klopper & S. Garvis (Ed.), Tapping into classroom practice of arts education: From inside out. Brisbane: Post Pressed.
Edited books
- Klopper, C. J., & Garvis. S. (2011). Tapping into classroom practice of arts education: From inside out. Brisbane: Post Pressed.
Refereed Journal Articles
- Vermeulen, D., Klopper, C.J. & Van Niekerk, C. (2011). South-south comparisons: primary school teacher preparation for syntegrated arts in South Africa and Australia. Arts education policy review. 112, 4, pp. 199-205, doi:10.1080/10632913.2011.592472.
- Power, B. & Klopper, C.J. (2011) The Classroom Practice of Creative Arts Education in NSW Primary Schools: A Descriptive Account. International Journal of Education & the Arts,12, 11, http://www.ijea.org/v12n11/.
- Klopper, C.J. and Power, B. (2011). Illuminating the gap: An overview of classroom-based arts education research in Australia. International Journal of Education through Art, 6: 3, pp. 293–308, doi: 10.1386/eta.6.3.293-1
- Klopper, C.J. (2010). Intercultural musicianship: a collective and participatory form of music exchange across the globe. Australian Journal of Music Education 1, (1)