Gamifying the Music Classroom

This presentation spotlights the application of digital game-based learning tools to enhance a General Music curriculum with a focus on grades K-8. Digital games, often referred to as video games, have the potential to act as effective educational resources in the teaching of musical concepts and skills.

The seminar will serve as an introduction to how digital games can be used in educational contexts for in-service and pre-service school music teachers and show how to successfully use digital games to create, perform, respond to, and connect musical content in a way that is engaging and relevant for students. Examples of digital games will be included as part of lesson plan outlines that, along with connections to educational objectives and National Core Arts Standards, are designed to be implemented in multiple classroom technology environments.

Andrew Lesser received his Ed.D. in Music Education at Teacher’s College, Columbia University in New York, New York, with the dissertation “Video Game Instruction and Learning in the Music Classroom,” now available on ProQuest. He has presented seminars on a variety of topics in music education throughout the state and national level and has published articles in peer-refereed journals such as General Music Today, Update: Applications of Research in Music Education, Teaching Music, TEMPO Magazine, and the Journal of Sound and Music in Games. His book Gamifying the Music Classroom was recently published by Oxford University Press, and his YouTube channel “Professor Lesser” focuses on the link between gaming, learning, and music. Further information can be found at www.andrewlessermusic.com.

NAfME presents this live virtual event at no charge to all as a service to the music education profession. To register, you must enter your NAfME member information or create a nonmember account. After registering, check your email for instructions. A recording of this program will be available to all registrants for one week following the live event. Members can also view archived NAfME webinars in the NAfME Academy.

The views expressed are those of the presenter; they do not necessarily reflect the views of NAfME.