Distance education is not something new. From the middle of 20th century universities had introduced distance education courses. With the help of technology, more and more universities around the world introduced not only distance education courses but also distance education degrees. A general definition of distance education is, the formal educational process in which the majority of the instruction occurs when student and instructor are not in the same place. The methods of distance education can include both synchronous, like Internet relay chats (IRC), and asynchronous, like email, instructions.
In fact, we could thing that music is probably the last subject that one could see in a distance education course, at all levels of music, face-to-face instructions has been the rule. However, not only in higher education but also in elementary and high school education some progressive music teachers have introduced distance music education courses.
Furthermore, we can say that the technology has changed the teaching methods and consequently the role of the music teachers. Two centuries ago, a music teacher should have known how to play an instrument. Nowadays, it does not necessary for a music teacher know how to play an instrument but should definitely know how to use new technologies if he/she wants to be able to teach students and be effective. In 1982, music teachers began replaced vinyl records and magnetic audiotapes that had been introduced in the1960s, with compact discs (CDs). In the 1990s music teachers began replaced videotapes that had been introduced in the 1970s with videodiscs (DVDs). With the evolution of technology music classrooms became concert halls. In the middle of the 1980s, the variety of music software was so many and their use was amazingly increased which made obligatory for music teachers to know how to teach with them. In the same period of time, musical instrument digital interface (MIDI) was introduced. MIDI has incredible teaching possibilities. Music teachers should know how to develop that software and also how to teach with it.
In the 1990s, the Internet was introduced in education. As the Internet became ubiquitous, music teachers understood that they should explore possibilities for utilizing this resource to help students learn. For example, a lot of music teachers develop Web sites and Web site communities. They have begun to use this powerful communication tool.
Nowadays the challenge for music teachers is that they should feel comfortable using the new technologies. One way for that is self-instruction, a second way is outside assistance, such throw university courses, and a third way is the training courses that the music technology companies provide as they want to inform the music teachers about the new products. Furthermore, the music teachers should follow the technology process. Technology changes day after day and music teachers should follow technological changes if they want to be to be able to select the appropriate technology that they will use. In addition to the above, we have to illustrate that distance music education is effective only when the distance courses or programs have been carefully planned and are focused on students’ needs.
Moreover, distance music teachers should spend a lot of time because distance music education is more like teaching students privately than teaching all the students at once. Because of that, all the individual attention that the students receive, the students get know their online teacher better that those in the traditional classrooms. Furthermore, the on-line class discussion and the Internet-based assignments that have been introduced in many distance courses, is effective for the students because allows them to learn from their classmates.
In contrast, the introvert students have a great deal of difficulty in the distance courses and they need instigation from their teacher. In the same condition are also the students that are not used to modern technology. We cannot say that the benefits always guarantee success for every student.
To conclude, the evolution of technology has offered the opportunity to music students to join a quality of music education that had little to do with the geographical location and more to do with using the technology to connect people. The only thing that we should keep in our minds is that technology is used and will be used to assist the educational process.
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