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»	New Era of Music Education
»	Kids Love Music and Interactivity

New Kids On the Digital Block

Dubbed the "Net Generation" by author Don Tapscott in his new book, Growing Up Digital - the Rise of the Net Generation, these children, between the ages of two and 22, are hungry to learn new technologies. And they love music and interactivity.

Recognizing the proven connection between brain development and playing music within this demographic group, musical instrument companies like Roland are bringing new technologies into the music education field to help foster interactive keyboard learning environments which are on the cutting edge.

These "N-Gener" kids are discovering that the combination of digital keyboards and computers is making the process of learning music fun and challenging. Should we really tell them that it's making them smarter, too?

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In a chapter of his book about N-Geners and computers, Tapscott says, "N-Geners are using digital media for learning. The computers which populate 60 percent of American households with children are used for learning how dolphins give birth and for composing essays on 'my summer vacation!" And, we should add, for music education, too.

One music teacher who understands this is Amy Perdew. She entered the world of music education technology because demand for her services was greater than her existing teaching facility could bear. She quickly learned about the benefits of digital pianos over traditional pianos in the learning' environment, ignoring any preconceptions that the digital piano would be too difficult for a child to function on, much less herself. After spending a few hours experiencing the feel and sound of a Roland digital piano at a local music store, she bought one.

Like many baby boomers, Amy's hesitation about digital pianos stemmed from her lack of a technological background. She could barely function on a computer. And since she teaches many beginners, she was concerned that a digital piano would be an extra hurdle for them.

Not only did she see how easy it was to play and integrate a digital piano into her classroom, she was surprised at how, almost intuitively, her students learned to play and operate the digital keyboard, validating Tapscott's research.

Conclusion

Hopefully by now, you've got a clearer picture of the connection between playing music and increased intelligence in children. With the help of digital keyboard technology and interactive music learning products by companies like Roland, your N-Gener might just become tomorrow's Albert Einstein. Seems simple, doesn't it?