Florida State University Libraries Electronic Theses, Treatises and Dissertations The Graduate School 2012 A Description of Older Adults' Participation in a Technology-Based Piano Program and Their Musical Skill Development, Perceptions of Personal Fulfillment, and Attitudes Toward Music Learning Kirsten Nora Mitak Follow this and additional works at the FSU Digital Library. For more information, please contact [email protected] THE FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF MUSIC A DESCRIPTION OF OLDER ADULTS' PARTICIPATION IN A TECHNOLOGY-BASED PIANO PROGRAM AND THEIR MUSICAL SKILL DEVELOPMENT, PERCEPTIONS OF PERSONAL FULFILLMENT, AND ATTITUDES TOWARD MUSIC LEARNING By KIRSTEN NORA MITAK A Dissertation submitted to the College of Music in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy Degree Awarded: Fall Semester, 2012 Kirsten Mitak defended this dissertation on October, 23 2012. The members of the supervisory committee were: Alice-Ann Darrow Professor Co-Directing Dissertation Vicki McArthur Professor Co-Directing Dissertation Larry Gerber University Representative Judy Bowers Committee Member John Geringer Committee Member The Graduate School has verified and approved the above-named committee members, and certifies that the dissertation has been approved in accordance with university requirements. ii I dedicate this dissertation to my husband, Slawek, and our little angel, Nora. iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would like to extend my utmost appreciation to the people who have assisted and supported me throughout my learning experience at Florida State University. Dr. McArthur: Thank you for the warm welcome to Tallahassee and to the world of graduate school! Your guidance, kindness, wisdom, and support have been invaluable to me throughout my time at FSU. Thank you for inspiring me as a teacher, musician, writer, and person. Dr. Darrow: Thank you for your willingness to dedicate an abundance of your time and energy towards my being able to finish this degree. You have taught me so much about what it means to be an effective teacher, researcher, and writer. Most of all, thank you for showing me how music can be used to better the lives of others. Dr. Geringer: Your intriguing classes and gentle guidance have opened up doors I never knew existed. Thank you for instilling in me a genuine love for music research. Dr. Bowers: Thank you for re-energizing my passion for choral teaching - it was a privilege to be a part of your techniques class and outreach programs. I especially appreciated your humor and encouragement upon the arrival of motherhood. Professor Gerber: Thank you for your willingness to allow me into your very busy studio, I am grateful to have had the opportunity to study with you. Thank you for your musical inspiration both at church and at school. Thank you also to professors: Dr. Allen, Dr. Bridger, Dr. Kelly, Dr. Madsen, Mr. Mastrogiacomo, Dr. Thomas, & Dr. VanWeelden. To the wellness directors who supported my efforts and to the wonderful people who volunteered as students for this study - thank you, thank you, thank you! This dissertation would not have been possible without your participation, and my life is richer because of you. Thank you to Katrina Tabinowski & Chris Madden for their assistance gathering data. Thank you to my friends and colleagues for their camaraderie, most especially: Arnekua, Carol, Felicia, Joy, Julie, Justine, Michelle, Nicole, Olivia, Peyton, Seon Hwa, & Yen-Hsuan. Mom, Dad, Valery & Ethan: Thank you for the many long-distance trips to Tallahassee, and for your steadfast love and support throughout the years. Auntie, thank you for watching Nora! Above all, thank you to my husband, Slawek, and our daughter, Nora. I cannot begin to express my gratitude for all that you have done for me, and I thank God for you every day. iv TABLE OF CONTENTS List of Tables ............................................................................................................................... viii List of Figures ................................................................................................................................ ix Abstract ............................................................................................................................................x 1. INTRODUCTION ...................................................................................................................1 Today’s Older Adults ..............................................................................................................1 Lifelong Learning ....................................................................................................................2 Older Adults and Music Education .........................................................................................3 Technology in Music Education ..............................................................................................5 Piano WizardTM .......................................................................................................................6 Need for the Study ...................................................................................................................7 Purpose Statement ...................................................................................................................7 2. REVIEW OF LITERATURE ..................................................................................................8 Older Adults and Lifelong Learning .......................................................................................8 The Motivational Orientation of Older Adults ..............................................................9 Older Adults as Learners .............................................................................................10 The Benefits of Lifelong Learning ..............................................................................11 Older Adults and Music Education .......................................................................................12 Older Adults’ Participation in Musical Activities .......................................................12 The Motivational Orientation of Older Adult Music Learners ....................................13 Older Adults as Music Learners ..................................................................................15 Instructional Methods for Older Adult Music Learners ..............................................18 Music Materials for Older Adults ................................................................................19 Structuring the Music Learning Environment for Older Adults ..................................21 Instructing Older Adult Music Learners ......................................................................22 The Benefits of Music Learning for Older Adults .......................................................23 Benefits of music engagement to older adults’ well-being and quality of life .......23 Personal benefits of music engagement for older adults ........................................24 Social benefits of music engagement for older adults ............................................25 Emotional benefits of music engagement for older adults......................................25 Physical benefits of music engagement for older adults .........................................26 Cognitive benefits of music engagement for older adults ......................................26 Musical benefits of music engagement for older adults .........................................27 Older Adults and Technology ...............................................................................................27 Computer Assisted Instruction (CAI) in Music Education ...................................................29 The Use of Technology in Piano Instruction .........................................................................31 Rationale and Research Questions ........................................................................................34 3. METHOD ..............................................................................................................................36 Needs Assessment .................................................................................................................36 Participants ............................................................................................................................36 v Setting ....................................................................................................................................37 Materials ................................................................................................................................37 Piano WizardTM ............................................................................................................39 Procedures .............................................................................................................................44 Measures Used to Address the Research Questions ..............................................................45 Research Question #1: Musical Progress .....................................................................45 Research Question #2: Perceived Benefits ..................................................................45 Research Question #3: Comments about the Program and Learning Experience .......46 Research Question #4: Opinions about Piano WizardTM .............................................46 Research Question #5: