App, app, app, lyssna nu! En musikdidaktisk studie av musikappar i förskola

AbstractThis dissertation aims to investigate the use made of music apps for tablets in the preschool environment in Sweden, and the potential it offers.The background of this subject is of double nature. On one hand, the preschool curriculum stresses the implementation of information technology and musical experiences into everyday activity. On the other hand, the implementation of information technologies in the shape of mobile devices in Swedish preschools is a relatively recent phenomenon which implies the need of a deeper focus on its didactic potential.The perspective chosen for the investigation and analysis of the subject is music didactics. On this basis, the research questions are formulated as follows: 1. Which music apps are used in preschools? 2: Which musical dimensions emerge? 3. How are the music apps used? 4. Who uses them?The study is of qualitative type and is conducted through an online enquiry for preschool educators, the results of which are compared to the analysis of the music apps that the enquiry’s respondents report.The findings show how the majority of the music apps used focuses on production and music, in contrast to the singing reproduction of traditional music teaching. In addition, they reveal that music apps are used to a higher extent with the older preschool children than with the younger ones.These findings mean that the use of music apps can be a valid complement to music learning for children whose educators do not have sufficient musical knowledge. Moreover, they suggest that a knowledge of music and music apps by educators can support their use not only with older preschool children, but with the younger ones too. Implementation of this subject into university programs is a possible way to improve knowledge and make everyday preschool activity comply the curriculum’s prescriptions