Revitalizing music teacher preparation with selected ‘Essential Conditions’

The widespread adoption of technology makes it necessary to extend technological resources to the classroom to best prepare students for long-term success. While technology can improve many facets of learning and teaching, music educators have generally been hesitant to incorporate technology to its full potential. Partnerships with professional organizations, such as the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE), can help music educators best reach students and achieve cultural relevancy in the digital age. Restructuring music education to integrate what ISTE calls ‘Essential Conditions’ of learning with technology, such as student-centred learning, equitable access and engaged communities, begins with undergraduate music education preparation. The purpose of this article is to identify the necessity of a synergism between music education and selected ISTE ‘Essential Conditions’ for technology-based learning, describe implications these selected conditions have on the current state of American undergraduate music education programmes, and provide recommendations for music teacher education.