In Media Stat Virtus

In Media Stat Virtus

2021-1-IT02-KA220-HED-000027601

Short summary

Digital educational technologies are a strong area of innovation in most sectors of higher education.

For students studying at the Faculty of Music, the use of digital technology in their communication with each other is commonplace. And the generation of young people that will follow them is already born into the world of digital tools. In Hungary, there are experimental classes in music schools where each pupil has a laptop, and children as young as 5-6 years old in the preparatory classes use these devices to record simple melody dictations appropriate to their age group. The teacher can check the work of the whole group of 8-10 pupils at the same time and correct it if necessary. It therefore seems obvious to include the possibilities offered by digital technology in the field of higher music education. It is true that we have already used it to supplement certain tasks, such as the preparation of solos, the writing of music, etc., but during the pandemic we had no other option but to use this technology if we wanted to keep teaching alive.

In the field of musical performance, however, this process is hampered by the specificity of practical instrumental and vocal training, especially when several performers play or sing together. In fact, performing a piece of music together is not like a theory class or a conversation where teachers and students communicate verbally. However, there are promising technological solutions that we need to experiment with in a live environment and check whether they meet the needs of music education. This can be the methodological and technological starting point of the current study in order to obtain a comprehensive assessment of current technological possibilities and how this technology can be effectively used to create a concrete teaching model, especially in the practical world of chamber music/chamber singing.

The aim of the project is therefore to develop and elaborate new tools, teaching materials and pedagogical models in the field of higher music education, which will primarily help teachers to define the types of teaching activities that can be implemented using digital technologies, the technological requirements, and the acquisition and management of the necessary digital tools.

The IMSV project, entitled “Digital technologies in higher music education for chamber music / chamber music education” is in fact an experiment, the expected outcome of which can be summarised in 5 points.

• “Digital technologies in higher education in the field of chamber music education” – technological analysis;
• The results of the experiment of the “In Media Stat Virtus” method in the distance teaching of vocal/instrumental chamber music – A guide for teachers;
• The “In Media Stat Virtus” method for distance learning of vocal and instrumental chamber music – A manual on the technologies used;
• The web-based database of educational resources “In Media Stat Virtus Repository” – digital OERs for vocal and instrumental chamber music education;
• Distance learning programme for teachers “eCourse”: introduction to the In Media Stat Virtus method for the development and delivery of distance learning in vocal-instrumental chamber music – pilot testing and validation of previous results from 6 European music higher education institutions; European and international dissemination of results through events open to music professionals from 6 countries and online dissemination and use.