Creativity in virtual spaces: Communication modes employed during collaborative online music composition

Using a sociocultural theory of creativity as a framework, the current study aims to analyze the communication modes employed by adult musicians during the collaborative online composition of a new music piece and to define how creativity was expressed and supported. The study task was an authentic activity for the participants, who interacted in a virtual environment using synchronous and asynchronous tools to develop a project. The study employed a qualitative case study approach that involved video observation of the participants' interactions during the online activities and individual semi-structured interviews. The findings showed that collaborative creativity involved musical and social practices. Furthermore, collaboration, identity and meta- cognition were considered critical in supporting participation and interest. The mediational role of the technological context and how it reshaped thinking strategies and collaborative strategies were analyzed. The participants demonstrated awareness of the potentialities of the online tools and the achievement of consciousness about the performed task. The results are discussed in relation to the framework of the sociocultural research on collaborative creativity, and implications for education are considered.