With the sudden arrival of Covid-19 in March, 2020, piano teachers shifted quickly to virtual instruction while retaining as much learning, quality, and professionalism as possible. Now, inclusion of, and/or a complete transition to, virtual instruction is the new norm. As there are not yet textbooks or college courses teaching these topics, research of teacher’s experiences and expertise through the written word and personal interviews provides concepts that increase the effectiveness of virtual music lessons, including the following which will be covered in this presentation:
- Technology should enhance the learning process, and never get in the way of it. Communication and connection remain key music education elements.
- Real-time learning of/adapting to technological skills demonstrates lifelong learning and empowers students to take their own learning risks.
- Unless already proficient in the virtual teaching space, starting with simple technology is sufficient: in the Zoom platform, 1) address sound quality, 2) use screen sharing, and 3) provide overhead view with phone camera.
- Selection and addition of additional pertinent technology further enhances virtual instruction, including virtual keyboards (Wirecast, Classroom Maestro), mixer/audio interface for sound, and webcam for overhead camera.
- Adapt teaching methods to online instruction.
Under supervision of Dr. Joanna Kim, piano professor, collected information will be applied and evaluated, using comparison of different methods, in my piano studio teaching. Effectives in these findings will be included in my presentation; the ultimate goal is to continuously adapt instruction to inevitable world change.