Abstract :
This study explores the centrality of information technology (IT) to Chinese
students’ experiences in music lessons. Students involved in this qualitative
and quantitative study described the possibilities of using technology when
learning music. From among the students of 15 Shanghai secondary schools,
1741 responded to a written questionnaire and 68 took part in interviews. The
students’ perceptions of the use of IT were grouped in relation to three
categories: (1) the students’ motivation to learn music, (2) their preferred
musical activities and (3) the musical styles preferred for classroom learning.
Most students believed that IT could provide motivation for music learning.
They used IT mainly in their listening activities but believed that it could also
be helpful in learning both classical and popular musical styles. The findings
suggest that the use of IT could extend the boundaries of music learning in the
classroom, giving rise to a multitude of new and exciting possibilities. This
approach to curriculum formulation is argued to be significant in terms of
developing students’ technological literacy and providing rich learning
environments that make use of computer-mediated communications and the
effectiveness of technology and teacher fidelity in implementing pedagogy
