Applicability of Digital Learning Strategy “Start Playing the Guitar!” in Solfeg.io Music Education App

Introduction

Trends and changes in the education system of the digital age have led to development of education tools that correspond to mindset and lifestyle of the digital generation. The digital generation is characterized by use of information technology to carry out social activities, meet entertainment and communication needs, and learn. For this generation, technology is part of everyday life (Donnison, 2004; Mancillas, Brusoe, 2016). Researchers of music pedagogy (Greher, 2006; Crawford, 2013; Ajero, 2014) emphasize the importance of technology in music education, as, due to its diverse functions, technology becomes an aid in the study process: students can learn music theory, play instruments, create music and collaborate online. Therefore, it is necessary to develop digital tools for teaching and learning music, respecting the changes in the education system and habits of the digital generation.

The digital generation often learn, explore and acquire knowledge and skills on an individual basis (Donnison, 2004), therefore, the model of self-directed learning becomes relevant (Bahr, Carroll, Effeney, 2013). The concept of SMART Pedagogy emphasizes use of technology to improve the learning process (Daniela, 2018).

Solfeg.io is a music education app used on computers, tablets and smartphones to learn music individually or in a collective setting as classroom. The app includes a library of well-known songs by popular artists that engage students to practice music instruments and understand how music works. The purpose of the app is to provide support for the implementation of music education curricula and the acquisition of educational content.

The innovation of the app lies in digital learning strategies – learning to play music with the help of self-directed classes. Strategies consist of chat messages with text or audiovisual materials (images, videos). The student is guided through chat messages to reach a learning goal, e.g., to play a song. The classes include principles of self-directed learning, letting the student customize the learning process. The classes are designed to engage the digital generation and support their information perception and processing needs.

Compared to other digital music education tools, Solfeg.io is the only app that offers self-directed classes. Therefore, it is important to study how to develop an effective digital tool for learning the basics of playing music instruments, including the guitar. Recognizing the topicality, the digital learning strategy “Start playing the guitar!” was developed to carry out an empirical study in order to determine its applicability and effectivity in reaching the set learning goal.

• The purpose of the paper is to study applicability of the digital learning strategy "Start playing the guitar!" in learning to play the basics of the guitar with Solfeg.io music education app.

• Methods: the paper includes an analysis of theoretical literature on SMART Pedagogy principles and the basic didactic principles to be followed in creating DLS. The empirical study describes an experimental activity in music lessons, using DLS – pedagogical observation (according to criteria) and respondent surveys; the results of the study have been summarized using qualitative content analysis and descriptive statistics. Type of research – experiment.

• Empirical basis: 21 respondents aged 12 to 18 (Latvia, Finland).

• Keywords: Solfeg.io music education app; music education technology; digital tools; digital learning strategy; self-directed learning, learning to play the guitar.