Technology Strategies for Music Education

SECTION 1: TECHNOLOGY IN MUSIC EDUCATION: AN OVERVIEW

Technology in Society
 The use of technology is pervasive in modern society. From digital wristwatches and cellular telephones, to FAX machines and electronic mail, technology is being used everywhere. It is difficult to imagine business being conducted without technology. All forms of entertainment are affected by technology. Digital audio on compact discs has all but replaced analog recordings on vinyl or magnetic tape. Home video games provide thrilling three dimensional worlds, with virtual environments only dreamed of a few years ago. Technology is here to stay.

Students and Technology
Students are growing up in a new environment where technology will be part of their everyday lives and teachers must prepare them for this future. Music teachers already use technology in their teaching. Overhead projectors, videos, electronic pianos, synthesizers, and music playback devices (records or tape) are used every day in the music classroom. These state-of-the-art tools have become easy to use and are now taken for granted.

 Technology as a Tool
Today's new technology tools can help teachers become more effective. Sound and notation can be integrated in ways never before possible. With some software programs, the recording plays while the score scrolls automatically in time with the music. Correct a note in the music and hear the change. Musical excerpts can be played with a single click of a button, and replayed with no rewind time and without searching for a starting point. Click a button and the phrase will play from start to end with fraction of a second accuracy. Virtual orchestras that exist only within computer memory allow us to experiment with tempo changes, transpositions, and changes in modality with only a few simple commands.

Active Learning
 Most importantly, these new technologies hold the key to improved music learning. Placing the tools of technology into students' hands guides them to active music making. Technology allows students to become actively involved in the study of music while having the satisfaction of creating original compositions. Research indicates that when students become active participants in learning they gain confidence, learn more effectively, and are drawn to further study. Technology can help attract students into the music curriculum. It will help develop critical thinking and problem solving skills. Students will learn to better appreciate music as an art, and become participants in the joy of music-making.

Technology Strategies for Music Education


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