Meaningful music making on the iPad

What is it about?

The chapter reports on our experiences using ubiquitous computing devices to introduce music-based creative activities into an Australian school. The use of music applications on mobile tablet computers (iPads) made these activities accessible to students with a limited musical background and practicable in a general-purpose classroom setting. The activities were designed to be meaningful and contribute toward personal resilience in the students. Two theoretical frameworks informed the research design; the meaningful engagement matrix and personal resilience.

Featured Image

Why is it important?

In our previous examination of developing resilience in school contexts, positive contributing factors included students developing a sense of autonomy and feelings of connectedness with peers and adults. We suggest that the scaffolding effect of generative music process can assist in promoting a sense of creative autonomy in inexperienced musicians and that the collaborative aspects of group music making can strengthen feelings of connectedness amongst peers.

Perspectives