Teacher Preparation Considerations

When music departments do not offer a technology course specifically for music teaching, pre-service music teachers are often required to take courses in information technology or education departments that focus on general educational technology without having a content area emphasis. Frequently the activities in such courses are not directly related to the specific and unique skills a music teacher will need. This chapter addresses the traditions of pre-service music teacher preparation and how they relate to technology-based music instruction. Included are models of teacher preparation that might be considered with a focus on preparation based on Technological Pedagogical and Content Knowledge (TPACK).