Technology in the Studio - Creating a Healthy Balance

Last spring I purchased an Ipad for my piano studio.  I was so energized after hearing many presentations within my own local music teachers' chapter and at national conferences regarding the various apps available for purchase that I couldn't wait to get started!  I am also very fortunate to be living in close proximity to two music technology gurus, Shana Kirk and Leila Viss.  In the studio, I frequently use the camera to record students performances as well as the note flash card apps to reinforce note names.  The ones I use most frequently are Flash Note Derby and Music Flash Class.  I have also found that Rhythm Cat is a hit with my students and for my more advanced students so is Rhythm Lab.

As much as I enjoy using the Ipad to reinforce concepts of basic musicianship, I really think there is no substitute for one on one instruction, especially technical instruction.  Similarly, I do not think that playing a game on an ipad is any substitute for playing a game with a human competitor.  For that reason, I also have a lot of games that consist of board games and cards.  Many of these were created by Susan Paradis. 

There is no disputing the fact that gamification and technology present exciting new opportunities for learning and motivation in today's piano studio.  However, a lot of my students' parents like to limit their children's screen time.  Incorporating the ipad into a piano lesson or even daily practice can seem to be undermining that purpose. Only with proper supervision, can students make the most of their time spent using an Ipad.