The effect of using digital technology in the music education of elementary school students

There is little research about using information technologies in music education. The issue of comparing the approach to music education based on modern technologies with the traditional approach is of particular interest. Thus, the purpose of the study is to compare the effectiveness of music education based on modern technologies with the traditional approach to learning music. The study was conducted at Lishui Music School. The level of musical skills and abilities of music school students was assessed for the period of 1.5 years. The study involved children aged 5–6 years who had no prior musical experience. The control and study groups consisted of twenty-four children each. The children learned to play the piano and solfeggio. The study group trained in accordance with the New way of Music program. The control group followed the traditional curriculum. At the end of the study, there was an exam. The students performed program pieces corresponding to the study period. The expert committee evaluated the following performance parameters: the number of errors in the reproduction of the musical text, the performance rhythm, the artistic expressiveness of the performance, continuous and complete performance, the performance dynamics, mastery of strokes, as well as positioning of the body and hands during the performance. Except for the last parameter, the study group performed better than the control group. The results obtained justify further expanded studies of the New way of Music program to be subsequently widely introduced in music schools.