Technological innovations in music education: a guide for K-12 educators

Abstract

[Introduction] The purpose of this guide is to provide public-school music educators with an introduction to various technologies that may be used to enhance the traditional learning environment. The technologies represented in this guide were selected for their apparent relevance to music education and their general accessibility. Each entry in this guide contains information about the origin, primary function, cost, and limitations of the specified tool. Additionally, the contributors to this guide have provided the reader with hypothetical practical applications of each technology to various musical courses. These suggestions are intended as inspiration for the reader and have not been formally tested in a classroom setting.

This guide contains a total of 58 entries, organized into three main sections. The first section, Generative AI, contains technologies that may be used for enhanced content generation or as an aid to curricular planning. The majority of these tools are intended for use by educators only, although this guide includes suggestions for student engagement when applicable. The second section, Adaptive Musical Instruments & Therapeutic Resources, includes technologies that may be used to enhance the accessibility of the music classroom or to engage students in non-musical developmental goals such as social-emotional learning (SEL). Music educators are encouraged to consider elements of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) when integrating these tools into the learning environment (i.e., consider that these technologies can be applied to all students). The third section, Distance Learning & Extended Reality, includes technologies that may be used to create “immersive” learning experiences and facilitate remote inter-personal collaboration. These tools might be used to enhance “traditional” pedagogies as a means of informal practice and assessment or to inspire students’ creativity.

This guidebook is intended for informational and educational purposes only. While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and relevance of the information provided, technology evolves rapidly, and best practices may change over time. Educators are encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with school administrators, IT professionals, and legal advisors before implementing new technologies in their classrooms. Additionally, the contents of this guide were generated by independent music education experts and are not intended to represent the values of Towson University or serve as endorsements of any particular entity.