Digital Natives Unplugged: Challenging Assumptions of Preservice Music Educators’ Technological Skills

Abstract

Generational labels such as digital native and the “net” generation may obscure the gap that exists between preservice music teachers’ personal uses of technology and how they will use technology professionally. The study’s purpose was to examine preservice music teachers’ personal use of technology, views toward technology in music teaching and learning, and experience with music technology. We distributed an online survey to collegiate members of the National Association for Music Education, with 360 undergraduate students providing responses. Participants reported using technology for a variety of purposes on a daily basis, but mostly in passive ways. Preservice music teachers were most comfortable using music technology common to undergraduate music curricula and less familiar with technology used in K–12 music classrooms. Skilled use of music technology in music teaching and learning situations requires meaningful and intentional facilitation in music teacher education curricula.