Extended Digital Musical Instruments: Innovating Inclusive Education through Technology and Creativity

Abstract

Extended Digital Musical Instruments (EDMIs) are emerging as powerful tools in inclusive education, transforming traditional teaching and learning practices through their ability to integrate technology, creativity, and accessibility. By enabling full-body interaction and fostering multisensory engagement, EDMIs open up new possibilities for students with diverse educational needs, offering opportunities for both cognitive and motor learning. This paper explores the potential of EDMIs to promote inclusivity, enhance student motivation, and foster creative empowerment within educational settings. While EDMIs have traditionally been used in artistic and therapeutic contexts, their application in education is gaining increasing attention. The case of BehCreative—a novel EDMI designed to incorporate environmental, ecological, and bodily immersion into the musical process—illustrates the innovative potential of this technology. With its real-time motion tracking and immersive feedback, BehCreative is entirely unique in the literature, offering new opportunities for inclusive learning and personalized education. This article highlights the growing role of EDMIs and Digital Musical Instruments (DMIs) in education and argues for their importance in shaping the future of inclusive and accessible learning environments.