Virtual Teaching in the Applied String Studio During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

The purpose of this survey study was to describe technologies and lesson formats used in virtual applied studio string lessons precipitated by shelter-in-place measures taken in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and to explore teachers’ adaptations, perceptions of effectiveness, and feelings toward virtual lessons. Research questions that guided this study included the following: (a) What technologies and lesson formats did teachers use in virtual applied string lessons? (b) How did teachers adapt their teaching approaches to virtual lessons? (c) Did teachers feel these lessons were effective? and (d) What affective responses did teachers have to these lessons? Data were gathered from members of the American String Teachers Association (ASTA; N = 301) who self-identified as “private studio teachers” in their online profiles. Findings illustrate what equipment and technology participants employed in virtual lessons. They also indicated a relatively high rating of participants’ self-perceived effectiveness when teaching virtual lessons and that studio teachers had mixed affective responses to the experience. Participants indicated difficulties when teaching tone in the virtual format, which was consistent with their open-ended responses that frequently cited poor sound quality online.