Date
1-16-2025
Department
School of Music
Degree
Doctor of Music Education (DME)
Chair
Donald Palmire
Keywords
music technology, DAW, undergraduate, untrained student, the other 80%, musicianship, elements of music, technology-as-instrument, TPACK, SoundTrap, listening, music appreciation
Disciplines
Audio Arts and Acoustics | Music
Recommended Citation
Coski, Brian, "Technology-as-Instrument: A Case Study of Undergraduate Student Experience with DAW Technology" (2025). Doctoral Dissertations and Projects. 6462.
https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/doctoral/6462
Abstract
Within the typical music appreciation class, diverse subsections of students exhibit varying levels of experience that can result in challenging inequities in engagement and comprehension. For those students with no background in playing an instrument or singing, musical ideas often need more context and perspective. Technology can present an opportunity for all students to explore the elements of music by utilizing music production software as a virtual instrument. In this study, the researcher utilized curriculum strategies specifically designed to foster deep musical connection through a technology-as-instrument approach. Through informal learning and the tools of music production, students visualized and interacted with musical concepts that could sometimes seem abstract and unrelatable. This illustrative case study aimed to investigate students’ music skill development and observe their learning process while using a Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) to accomplish creative activities. The researcher used surveys and focus groups to collect rich qualitative data about the students’ experience. Aural tests and listening activities gathered quantitative data to establish baseline aptitude and measure improving listening skill. Study results demonstrated diverse benefits to student learning in the categories of concept comprehension, listening skill, and creative processes. Additionally, a majority of students improved their scores in an aural discrimination activity after study treatment. This research demonstrates the learning benefits that a technology-as-instrument approach can achieve and clarifies the need for instructional strategies that assist undergraduate students in acquiring a personal context with the elements of music in an introductory music course.