Investigating the Role and Potentials of Using Web2.0 in Music Education from Student Perspective

Young students seem immersive in web2.0 virtual environments for their communication, coordination and social activities. However, how to take advantage of their daily experiences on the Internet to help better their formal learning still challenges educators nowadays. This study attempted to explore how to apply Web2.0 tools into music education based on students' daily practices on the Internet and their expectations. Forty-three third-graders, age ten years old, from an elementary school in the Hsichu city were involved in this study. Quantitative approached and concept maps were adopted in this study. Results reveal that the young students, also called digital natives, have engaged in the Internet for one to three hours in a week since they were seven years old, however, they still have a large digital gap because various personal backgrounds. In addition, students shared their ideas and suggestions on how to integrate web2.0 tools in music class. You tube, social networking websites, pod-casting and search engines could be considered popular preferences for students. Concept maps further indicate that Google, MSN, You tube has communication, searching, visual and audio potentials for supporting musical education under company of family and teachers. In conclusion, the findings of this study might help educators and schools understand the actual needs of students and expect that teachers could make use of Web 2.0 tools in music curricula to support formal and informal music learning.