Utilization and effectiveness of technology in music education

The primary purpose of this study was to examine the utilization and effectiveness of technology in music education. The study surveyed music educators' perceptions and attitudes towards technology use and its effectiveness in teaching and learning. It also explored the relationship between personal development and self-efficacy. A cross-sectional designed survey was employed to investigate attitudes and perceptions of music educators on utilization and effectiveness of technology in the classroom. The data collected was used to provide information about participant's demographics, basic technology operational proficiencies and self-efficacy using technology. A convenience sample for this study was obtained by responses from an online questionnaire that was sent to state music educators who were members of two major professional organizations. The survey targeted a population of current and retired K-12 music educators n=1,273 with 117 responding to the survey which resulted in an 11% return rate (n=117). Respondents used a hyper-texted link connecting to the online survey that was incorporated via a sent email for the data collection process. The results of the study indicated that despite primary and secondary barriers towards technology utilization, the majority of music educators that participated in the survey actively endorsed the use of technology and its effectiveness in teaching. The implications of the survey suggest that music educators need and want to use technology in their classrooms and that authentic professional development/teacher training is the foremost way to increase self-confidence and self-efficacy in technology use.