DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES IN MUSIC EDUCATION: OPPORTUNITIES AND PEDAGOGICAL CHALLENGES
Abstract
The rapid advancement of digital technologies has significantly transformed music education, reshaping pedagogical practices, learning environments, and access to musical training. This article examines the opportunities and pedagogical challenges associated with the integration of digital technologies in music education. Drawing on contemporary educational theory and recent research, the study explores how digital tools—such as music production software, online learning platforms, mobile applications, and artificial intelligence–based systems—enhance learner engagement, creativity, collaboration, and individualized learning pathways. At the same time, the article critically analyzes key challenges, including unequal access to technology, limited digital pedagogical competence among educators, reduced emphasis on embodied musical practice, and issues related to assessment and educational quality. The paper argues that while digital technologies offer substantial potential to expand and enrich music education, their effective implementation requires pedagogically grounded strategies, systematic teacher training, and balanced integration with traditional, performance-based approaches. The findings contribute to ongoing discussions on the future of music education and provide practical implications for educators, curriculum designers, and policy makers.
Keywords
Digital technologies; Music education; Educational innovation; Digital pedagogy; Technology-enhanced learning; Teacher competence.How to Cite
References
Bauer, W. I. (2014). Music learning and technology. Oxford University Press.
https://doi.org/10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199890590.001.0001
Biasutti, M., & Concina, E. (2018). The role of technology in music education: A review of literature. Journal of Music, Technology & Education, 11(2), 113–131.
https://doi.org/10.1386/jmte.11.2.113_1
Burnard, P. (2012). Musical creativities in practice. Oxford University Press.
Crawford, R. (2017). Rethinking teaching and learning pedagogy for education in the twenty-first century. Teaching and Teacher Education, 63, 113–122.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tate.2016.12.007
Dede, C. (2014). Digital tools for deeper learning. Educational Leadership, 71(6), 16–20.
Gouzouasis, P., & Bakan, D. (2011). The future of music making and music education in a transformative digital world. The Oxford Handbook of Music Education, 2, 495–514.
Hallam, S., Creech, A., & McQueen, H. (2017). Learning through music. Institute of Education Press.
Hennessy, S., Ruthven, K., & Brindley, S. (2005). Teacher perspectives on integrating ICT into subject teaching. Journal of Curriculum Studies, 37(2), 155–192.
https://doi.org/10.1080/0022027032000276961
McPherson, G. E., & Welch, G. F. (2018). Music learning and teaching in infancy, childhood, and adolescence. Oxford University Press.
Mishra, P., & Koehler, M. J. (2006). Technological pedagogical content knowledge: A framework for teacher knowledge. Teachers College Record, 108(6), 1017–1054.
Ruthmann, S. A., & Hebert, D. G. (2012). Music learning and new media in virtual and online environments. The Oxford Handbook of Music Education, 1, 567–583.
Savage, J. (2007). Reconstructing music education through ICT. Research in Education, 78(1), 65–77. https://doi.org/10.7227/RIE.78.6
Southcott, J., & Crawford, R. (2011). The intersections of curriculum, assessment, and digital technologies in music education. Australian Journal of Music Education, 1, 54–66.
Webster, P. R. (2016). Computer-based technology and music teaching and learning. The Oxford Handbook of Music Education, 1, 416–439.
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Mukhlisa Abdullayeva

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.