Project Title: Music Apps and Pedagogical Approach in Emerging Technologies
In today’s societies, technologies merge into music educational realm, thus make a huge impact on the way music is taught. I would like to research on music applications in regards to its effect on music teaching and how it transforms musicians’ life. My aim is also to investigate the timeline of mobile music apps such as metronome, sight-reading, rhythm which are an extension of previous pedagogical methods, how they were developed, received, and revised to best suit users’ needs, and their potential trends in revolutionizing music teaching. I am also interested in researching on cultural perspective towards music which dramatically shifts between “working” and “playing”, especially when music apps come into the scene, making music an effective tool for “edutainment”. From class's discussion and reading materials, I am inspired to rethink about the meaning of music, and its close relations to technologies, which in the course of time, have become an indispensable part of education. Being inspired by that, I would like to become more acquainted with technologies used in music profession, as well as keep my teaching and performing refreshed with up-to-date resources, this project will provide me with opportunities to do in-depth research in this particular area of musicking.
I plan to write reviews on differing music applications, choosing from 4 categories including; music theory, ear-training, rhythm, and note-identification, as well as research on its historical background. By conducting a research on primary sources, I plan to use the applications in order to thoroughly know its content and functions. I will also investigate the secondary sources by reading, and compiling users’ reviews on music teachers’ websites, and apps stores. I also plan to conduct interviews with professors and peers in pedagogy field who have used the apps. For final submission, a paper, presenting my discoveries, reviews, and insights regarding four categories of music apps, its background, and potential trends will be submitted. As for my final presentation, l would like to combine a paper reading and multimedia presentation in order to effectively demonstrate the apps.
Annotated Bibliography
Morin, Joy. “Color in My Piano: Devoted to Excellence in Piano Teaching, Music Apps.” Accessed April 6, 2017. http://colorinmypiano.com/music-apps/
Joy Morin, an excellent and comprehensive piano teacher in Ohio provides detailed and thorough information of music apps. The music apps she chose to introduce, and give insightful reviews are divided into following categories: all-in-one apps, rhythm, note identification, music theory, ear training, and music history. From her own experiences using various apps in her studio, and presenting these sources to wider ranges of audience at MTNA National Conference, making her reviews strong, at the same time versatile.
This blogpost is extremely relevant and valuable to my research project as it provides information and divisions of apps in categories, in the same way I also intended to group the selected apps. Moreover, there are ongoing, active conversations, responses in the comments section that provides me with opinions from wide ranges of music teachers, music lovers, parents, and students. This serves as an integral discussion and “interviews” part that I plan to incorporate in my research project.
Kuzmich, John. "The Productive World of Music Apps." School Band & Orchestra 17, no. 4 (04, 2014): 40-41.
Kuzmich illustrates the production of music apps, informing readers on the genesis of the music apps, the process and development, and how it was welcomed into music education world. The article provides the distinct perspective and information on IOS and Android companies. For my research project, this article will serve as a “history of apps” section. I also plan to investigate on the difference in the working process of iOS and Android which the article gives thought-provoking information.
Musicians with Apps. “Music Education Apps.” Accessed April 6, 2017. http://musicianswithapps.com/music-education-apps/
This website gives specific resources on music apps that created by Apple’s iOS. It presents detailed descriptions as well as categorises the apps by varying costs; including free, low cost, high cost sections. This is particularly useful for my research project in terms of giving in-depth description on Apple’s apps, and specific targets to music teachers who possesses iPhone and iPad.
Educational Technology and Mobile Learning. “10 of the Best Android Apps for Music Teachers.” Last modified July 9, 2015. http://www.educatorstechnology.com/2015/07/some-of-best-android-apps-for-music-teachers.html
The webpage features selected Android apps, speaking specifically for music teachers.
The strengths of the apps are presented as well as suggestions for music teachers on how to incorporate the apps effectively into teaching. For my research project, this website serves as a contrasting point to the mentioned Apple’s apps. The target group which is Android users also presents differing perspectives that can be used to compare with Apple users.
Viss, Leila. "Music Apps for Musicians and Music Teachers." American Music Teacher 65, no. 2 (Oct, 2015): 42-43.
Leila’s review of “Music Apps for Musicians and Music Teachers” points out the main arguments of the book by providing summary and survey of the important points discussed. This is a general article meant for apps enthusiasts, as well as specific enough for music teachers, especially for those who teach high school and college students. For my research project, this review gives unbiased landscaped of apps and accountable opinions that I can incorporate into the discussion part.
Perry, Margaret. "Apps that Engage." MTNA e-Journal 4, no. 2 (11, 2012): 6-8.
The article summarises important points from a presentation on music apps in pedagogy symposium, collegiate chapter of MTNA. It provides step-by-step guide on how to effectively engage apps in class room settings, focusing on collegiate level. Teaching and using technologies as an aid became more efficient when knowing how to diligently and imaginatively approach them and introduce to newer audience. This article speaks well for my project, as I also focus on using the apps in college-aged group and individual teachings.