A Comparative Analysis of Conservatories and Departments of Music Education in Terms of the Place of Technology Use in their Music Education

Abstract

Today, the importance and necessity of technology use is an undisputable matter. Thanks to this, it has become possible to advance in education. Educational/instructional technologies (computer-aided teaching, material development etc.) and music technologies (sound recording, tonmeister etc.) are separate disciplines. The aim of this study is not to investigate only one of the above fields and then make inferences. However, what comes to the mind first when it comes to music, education and technology are the ones above. Therefore, these concepts will be explained in order to prevent a potential incomprehensibility and to lay the scientific foundations of the study. Advanced technologies are used effectively in music and music education, as they are in all other fields. If a music educator is unaware of useful technological facilities, it is necessary to look for such facilities in the environment in which s/he is active and especially in the educational environment. An educator can use something in her teaching activities to the extent she knows and comprehends it. For this reason, in terms of the relationship between music, education and technology; an education on using technology should be provided on the issues of educational environments (schools, courses etc.) and education systems (curricula etc.). Thus, the main purpose of this study is not to define the extent to which music educators use technology, but to determine the extent to which music education programs include this education and to underline the necessity of using them effectively. To this end, the universe of the study consists of conservatories and departments of music education in Turkey. These programs will be compared, courses in these programs aimed at teaching technology use in music education will be examined, and findings will be interpreted.