I’ve just returned from mtec2013 (Music Technology in Education Conference), held at the Yarra Valley Grammar School in Melbourne. As anticipated, many of the sessions were excellent, and I have taken away many ideas that will inform my own practice. There were also some exceptional keynotes – James Humberstone (@JamesHumbers) was truly an inspiration (and I don’t say that lightly). James spoke and gave examples of the integration of technology in a way that was truly supportive to rigorous musical outcomes – it was far removed from what my biggest fear of the conference was: the use of technology for technology’s sake. As Gardener once said (and I quote from memory so please accept my apologies for inaccuracy), “Technology does not necessarily improve education. Take the pencil, one can use it to write a superlative essay, or drum away time, or to poke someone’s eye out. The best TV has educated thousands, yet the daily network offerings have dulled the sensitivities of millions…” So true. Like James’s keynote, many of the mtec2013 sessions offered ways of using technology to improve music education; it was very refreshing and has reinvigorated my considerations as to the role of technology in the music classroom. Technology is a tool to take music education to the next level; as long as we keep music (not technology) at the heart of what we do, we have a real chance – if we work very hard – at quality teaching and learning. As Barbara Freedman said: “Teach music. Technology will follow.”

I look forward to mtec2015 – one can only begin to imagine what will be on offer to us as music educators in two years time technology-wise….