The Ipad and Music in the New Learning Environment

Abstract

In this article, we focus on a single teacher who uses an iPad as a learning environment in informal and formal music teaching. Our research explores the way our informant uses the iPad in music education. We consider what kinds of elements motivate him and which programmes encourage him in learning. As a learning environment, the iPad is explored as a case study of an informal learner and application user and teacher. How does the informant use his iPad as a learning environment? How does the informant apply different applications on the iPad in different situations in music teaching? What applications does he use and why does he choose to use them in his teaching? This research is a case study in which we describe the use of the iPad in music education. We aim to gaining some understanding of the phenomenon through this one case without generalizing. The empirical part of the research is done through observing and interviewing the informant. This is a description of using an iPad in music education. A case study can be chosen as a method when a researcher wants to understand a phenomenon deeply and explore its context. The results show that the informant uses his iPad in many ways. He is a very skilful teacher, who uses different applications on the iPad. We can say that the iPad has given the informant a completely new environment to study, learn and teach music nowadays. Using the iPad, the informant can mix traditional music learning in choir singing, playing in a band, and creating music. The informant is a good teacher, who follows the development of technology all the time. He is interested in taking advantage of the new options offered by tablet technology in his tuition. He has noticed that young people increasingly concentrate on learning outside the formal school institution. How could teachers take advantage of this iPad learning?