Composing Possibilities: Open Educational Resources and K-12 Music Education

Project Start Date: 
2012

Music open educational resources (OER) have the potential to fill gaps in access to instructional materials for K-12 music teachers and learners, and to support teachers and learners as content creators and collaborators in meeting educational goals. This study explores the current state of music OER, the audiences that these resources serve to benefit, and the opportunities and challenges involved in adopting an open approach to the development of music education resources. 

Our Role: 

In partnership with Carnegie Hall’s Weill Music Institute, ISKME conducted a study to assess the landscape of existing K-12 open music collections, to identify potential audiences, and to assess the implications of music OER for teaching, learning, and the field as a whole. The study further sought to explore the benefits and barriers to offering music OER.

The study involved a review of music education literature, technology, and online collections, as well as interviews with music educators, music content providers, and music education experts. 

Image Attribution: 
C. Strife
Research Questions: 
  • What are the leading OER content collections and platforms serving K-12 educators?
  • What indicators point to a demand for music OER?
  • How and to what extent are teachers currently using music OER? How is it being used alongside existing teaching tools and resources?
  • What are possible additional use scenarios for music OER? What are the benefits and challenges of use for this content, and what types of support best facilitate its use?
  • What issues – both opportunities and challenges – are raised by adopting an open approach to music education?
  • What are the broader implications of music OER for teaching, learning, and the music education field as a whole?
Service Areas: