Online learning in higher music education: Benefits, challenges and drawbacks of one-to-one videoconference instrumental lessons

Abstract

Online music courses are becoming more common in higher education thanks to the always increasing technological advances. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic many universities around the world have been forced to turn to online learning. There are currently several options to deliver online musical tuition, but most of them offer limited results. Online learning provides many advantages related to time and money saving, as well as ecological-related matters, access from remote areas and interaction between students and teachers around the world. However, most often communication will take place using platforms tailored for speech, which will have a significant impact on the lesson quality. Although face-to-face lessons cannot be completely replaced to guarantee quality tuition, online lessons can be a helpful complement in certain situations. This article aims to identify the most common limitations of the platforms available at the moment, suggesting different approaches to lessen the weaknesses of online instrumental one-to-one teaching.

Online learning to play the piano: perspectives and achievements / Aprender a tocar el piano en línea: perspectivas y logros

“…However, more often than not, communication takes place through audio platforms, which can significantly affect the lesson's quality. Although face-to-face classes cannot be completely eliminated to guarantee quality instruction, online lessons can be a good supplement in certain situations (Hernández, 2021). Aksoy et al (2020) analysed data from 105 music courses that switched to online learning because of COVID-19.…”

“…Sin embargo, con frecuencia, la comunicación tiene lugar a través de plataformas de audio, lo que puede influir significativamente en la calidad de la lección. Si bien es cierto que las clases presenciales no pueden suprimirse del todo para garantizar la calidad de la enseñanza, las clases en línea pueden ser un buen suplemento en determinadas situaciones (Hernández, 2021). Aksoy et al (2020) analizaron datos de 105 cursos de música que tuvieron que adoptar el formato en línea debido a la pandemia de COVID-19.…”

Adapting to Change: Investigating the Influence of Distance Learning on Performance in Italian Conservatories

“…Regarding music institutions, students are satisfied with distance education as they feel more secure regarding the risk of COVID-19 infection (Rosset et al 2021). Not having to travel to the conservatory allows them to invest the time spent on commuting in their studies (Hernández 2020). Therefore, distance learning, while being a useful means to continue lessons during the COVID-19 pandemic, cannot completely replace in-person teaching (Nsairat et al 2022).…”

The intersection of music and arts education and technology: assessing Google Meet’s usability in a case of a prominent local college

“…To put it briefly, addressing these challenges experienced by music teachers and students is highly obligatory to provide meaningful experiences in learning various topics and skill-based concepts in Music education, even in an online learning modality. Online learning in the discipline of Music Education is not already a relatively new feature (Johnson, 2017(Johnson, , 2020Martínez Hernández, 2021); however, due to an unprecedented turn of events due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the sudden shift has resulted in unexpected situations, making online learning modality challenging to deliver.…”