This paper describes a holistic approach to managing the development, presentation and delivery of online learning materials. This process combines learning design, content preparation and delivery, and technical support in a partnership between educational development and academic staff to ensure quality outcomes for students in distance education studies. A learner analysis informed development of this approach and a templated guide was created to provide a model for courseware development. This ensures that students are provided with the information and resources required to successfully complete their studies, and that their experience is enhanced by reducing the need to search for key information each time they commence a new course. The consistency in learning resources means that key information, assessment and learning outcomes are always present in the same location across all courseware, thus reducing the cognitive stress students report in navigating educational materials.

The innovation of new forms of media brings a greater diversity of choices to music educators and students, while at the same time, the integration of new media with existing 'traditional' forms provide an opportunity for the advancement of online music education. Many researchers confirm that younger generations of students have high levels of interaction and experience with new media and virtual tools. With the growth in new and emerging technologies, virtual tools in particular offer educators an effective online pedagogical approach to deliver teaching materials to help support students in their studies as well as preparation for real world employment. Online music education is a relatively new, yet fast growing discipline. This paper will outline the use of new media and virtual tools to facilitate student interaction, practical practice and authentic learning activity within online music education.

Current undergraduate students are known as 'The Net Generation'. These students have never experienced a world without information and communication technology. It is claimed that these students have gained specific technical skills, new ways of thinking and different learning preferences, which require a new educational approach. Online education is increasing and the effectiveness of online courses in certain areas of learning is still debatable, especially for music education. Instructors and instructional designers need to effectively use new technologies to enhance the delivery of music education to new generations who understand these teaching methods. Using Web 2.0 tools to create fun and engaging learning can not only encourage, but also engage students in learning musicology in a progressive way. The challenge is to deliver a unit fully online and not 'reinvent the wheel' as such with traditional academic content. Creating and incorporating these tools add a richer online environment for students studying music online.