Music Matters: A Unique Distance Education Opportunity for the Humanities

Abstract

This chapter describes how the introduction of a learning environment can stimulate creativity and innovation in learning and extend that innovation to students at a distance. The learning environment consists of a room, technology, and Internet assisted set of tools. This music environment is one of a series of learning environments created to enhance learning especially in the humanities. Capable of enhancing the instruction in music both for distance learning and for traditional students, this was accomplished at a Midwestern comprehensive research university. The learning environment created through a strong collaborative partnership between faculty and professional staff provided an enhancement to music theory instruction. It has served as a stimulus to innovation in music performance, band director’s instruction at a distance, instruction of music teacher students at a distance and also in the dance program. The result to date is an environment that has encouraged learning, collaboration and outreach to the international world of music. It is being shared with another institution of higher education to enhance their music programs. Distance learning in music and music education programs began fall of 2008 and like the initial two years of uses to improve face-to-face instruction, the potential is limitless to develop innovation and creativity in students and faculty alike.