This study aims to analyze the distance guitar education provided by universities during the pandemic process based on the opinions of guitar educators. Twenty-six guitar instructors (academicians) who taught guitar in 24 universities participated in the study, and the data were collected through semi-structured interviews. Findings were interpreted under five categories, which were technical resources, functionality, motivation, guitar studies, and evaluation. It was found that technical problems, for example, audio delays, disconnection, and freezing were encountered. Although technical issues on the guitar can be overcome to a certain extent, it was reported that works such as musicality, and nuance were not reflected in the course. It was also emphasized that the technological possibilities are insufficient in reflecting the depths of the sound coming out of the guitar, and individual instrument guitar lessons must not be considered separately from face-to-face education. It was concluded that distance education leaves out the emotional aspects of music, and distance education can continue to support face-to-face education in the future.
The present article provides an in-depth look at the strategies and practices developed by a cohort of primary school music teachers in Italy to deliver online music lessons during the COVID-19 lockdown. We used a qualitative methodology based on semi-structured interviews to bring out our participants' voices and reflections in a very personal manner and examine their perspectives on issues important to their profession and daily work. We were interested in investigating which practices and strategies were used or developed to deal with the difficulties and positive aspects characterising their experiences as teachers during the lockdown period. A focus was put on lesson planning, time management, student involvement, and information and communication technology (ICT) skills. Qualitative data were analysed using an inductive method based on grounded theory, giving rise to the five following dimensions: classroom activities; the role of the school and staff members; teachers' interactions with children and their parents; positive outcomes; unresolved challenges. Participants discussed how they used ICT and managed their classes remotely, provided vivid descriptions of their professional relationships with colleagues and students, and reflected on the advantages and disadvantages of teaching music remotely, pointing to new ways to improve current teaching methodologies.
The purpose of this co-autoethnographic qualitative case study was to chronicle the experiences of the first author as he taught general music in a blended, face-to-face, and online synchronous, environment during the COVID-19 pandemic. The co-autoethnography conveys a voice of a practicing teacher with advice and wisdom gained from living and working through the technological aspects of teaching and learning in a blended environment for practicing music teachers. His experiences chronicle how technology was used as a vehicle for amplifying the experiences of students and empowering them to creativities not possible before the pandemic. Implications for music education include exploring the stories of the lived experiences of teachers who taught through the pandemic with a focus on the possibilities and potentialities for profound change mediated by technology, learner-centered pedagogy, and creativities in practice.