Machine Learning Education for Artists, Musicians, and Other Creative Practitioners

This article aims to lay a foundation for the research and practice of machine learning education for creative practitioners. It begins by arguing that it is important to teach machine learning to creative practitioners and to conduct research about this teaching, drawing on related work in creative machine learning, creative computing education, and machine learning education. It then draws on research about design processes in engineering and creative practice to motivate a set of learning objectives for students who wish to design new creative artifacts with machine learning. The article then draws on education research and knowledge of creative computing practices to propose a set of teaching strategies that can be used to support creative computing students in achieving these objectives. Explanations of these strategies are accompanied by concrete descriptions of how they have been employed to develop new lectures and activities, and to design new experiential learning and scaffolding technologies, for teaching some of the first courses in the world focused on teaching machine learning to creative practitioners. The article subsequently draws on data collected from these courses—an online course as well as undergraduate and masters-level courses taught at a university—to begin to understand how this curriculum supported student learning, to understand learners’ challenges and mistakes, and to inform future teaching and research.

• Publication year

  2019

• Venue

  ACM Transactions on Computing Education

• Publication date

  2019-09-13

• Fields of study

  Art, Computer Science, Education

• Identifiers
  DOI 10.1145/3294008
• External record

  Open on Semantic Scholar

• Source metadata

  Semantic Scholar

• No claims are published for this paper.

• No concepts are published for this paper.

• Artificial Intelligence A Modern Approach 3rd Edition

  2020cited by this paper
• Pedagogical content knowledge in computing education: a review of the research literature

  2018influential reference
• User-Centred Design Actions for Lightweight Evaluation of an Interactive Machine Learning Toolkit

  2018influential reference
• Pre-print

  2018cited by this paper
• Deep Music: Towards Musical Dialogue

  2017cited by this paper
• Evidencing the Value of Inquiry Based, Constructionist Learning for Student Coders

  2017cited by this paper
• The Markov Process as a Compositional Model: A Survey and Tutorial

  2017cited by this paper
• TensorFlow: A system for large-scale machine learning

  2016influential reference
• Semantic Style Transfer and Turning Two-Bit Doodles into Fine Artworks

  2016cited by this paper
• WaveNet: A Generative Model for Raw Audio

  2016cited by this paper
• MLlib: Machine Learning in Apache Spark

  2015cited by this paper
• Inceptionism: Going Deeper into Neural Networks

  2015cited by this paper
• Massive Open Online Course Completion Rates Revisited: Assessment, Length and Attrition

  2015cited by this paper
• Domain-Adversarial Training of Neural Networks

  2015cited by this paper
• Ml.lib: robust, cross-platform, open-source machine learning for max and pure data

  2015cited by this paper
• Engaging underrepresented groups in high school introductory computing through computational remixing with EarSketch

  2014cited by this paper
• The gesture recognition toolkit

  2014cited by this paper
• Adaptive Gesture Recognition with Variation Estimation for Interactive Systems

  2014cited by this paper
• Notional machines and introductory programming education

  2013cited by this paper
• STEAM-Powered Computing Education: Using E-Textiles to Integrate the Arts and STEM

  2013cited by this paper
• The creative turn: new challenges for computing

  2013cited by this paper
• Deconstructing disengagement: analyzing learner subpopulations in massive open online courses

  2013cited by this paper
• The Flipped Classroom: A Survey of the Research

  2013cited by this paper
• ImageNet classification with deep convolutional neural networks

  2012cited by this paper
• Lowering the Barrier to Applying Machine Learning

  2012cited by this paper
• TweetDreams: Making Music with the Audience and the World using Real-time Twitter Data

  2011cited by this paper
• Scikit-learn: Machine Learning in Python

  2011cited by this paper
• Human model evaluation in interactive supervised learning

  2011cited by this paper
• Real-time human interaction with supervised learning algorithms for music composition and performance

  2011cited by this paper
• The Wekinator: Software for using machine learning to build real-time interactive systems

  2011cited by this paper
• Constructionism

  2011cited by this paper
• Gestalt: integrated support for implementation and analysis in machine learning

  2010cited by this paper
• Lowering the barrier to applying machine learning

  2010cited by this paper
• Music Plus One and Machine Learning

  2010cited by this paper
• A Meta-Instrument for Interactive, On-the-Fly Machine Learning

  2009cited by this paper
• Continuous Realtime Gesture Following and Recognition

  2009cited by this paper
• Bodily Explorations in Space: Social Experience of a Multimodal Art Installation

  2009cited by this paper
• COS 511 : Theoretical Machine Learning

  2008cited by this paper
• Describing the creative design process by the integration of engineering design and cognitive psychology literature

  2008cited by this paper
• Information retrieval for music and motion

  2007cited by this paper
• Design Principles for Tools to Support Creative Thinking

  2005cited by this paper
• Interactive machine learning

  2003cited by this paper
• EyesWeb: Toward Gesture and Affect Recognition in Interactive Dance and Music Systems

  2000cited by this paper
• Mel Frequency Cepstral Coefficients for Music Modeling

  2000cited by this paper
• Addressing the Challenges of Inquiry-Based Learning Through Technology and Curriculum Design

  1999cited by this paper
• A Tutorial on Support Vector Machines for Pattern Recognition

  1998cited by this paper
• Constructivism in computer science education

  1998cited by this paper
• A decision-theoretic generalization of on-line learning and an application to boosting

  1997influential reference
• Open SoundControl: A New Protocol for Communicating with Sound Synthesizers

  1997influential reference
• Funds of knowledge for teaching: Using a qualitative approach to connect homes and classrooms

  1992cited by this paper
• Real-Time Neural Network Processing of Gestural and Acoustic Signals

  1991cited by this paper
• The Making of a Teacher: Teacher Knowledge and Teacher Education

  1990influential reference
• Computers in art, design and animation

  1989cited by this paper
• Generative techniques in graphical computer art: some possibilities and practices

  1989cited by this paper
• Those Who Understand: Knowledge Growth in Teaching

  1986influential reference
• Language-Independent Conceptual “Bugs” in Novice Programming

  1986cited by this paper
• Dynamic Time Warping

  1984cited by this paper
• Experiential Learning: Experience as the Source of Learning and Development

  1983cited by this paper
• Research Methods in Education

  1980cited by this paper
• EXPERIENCE OR EDUCATION

  1968cited by this paper

• Utilizing AI and machine learning in vocal training programs: A contemporary approach

  2026cites this paper
• Embedding Data into Instruments: An Ethical-Embodied Framework for Electroacoustic Practice

  2026cites this paper
• Recent Advances in Artificial Intelligence forMusic Education

  2026cites this paper
• Disciplinary Responses to Generative AI: Implications for Academic Librarians

  2025influential citation
• Integrating Generative Artificial Intelligence and Human Design: The Impact of Automation Level on Human Creative Experience and Efficiency

  2025cites this paper
• Modelos generativos en IA como investigación educativa: el impacto de la inteligencia artificial en la enseñanza artística

  2025cites this paper
• Student Perspectives on the Challenges in Machine Learning

  2025cites this paper
• Exploring Japanese pre-service teachers’ experiences and reflections on text-to-image generative AI in art education

  2025cites this paper
• The use of generative AI tools in design work: Motivation and decision-making process of users

  2025cites this paper
• The Unbearable Lightness of Prompting: A Critical Reflection on the Environmental Impact of genAI use in Design Education

  2025cites this paper
• Müzisyenlerin yapay zekâ kullanım durumlarının ve yapay zekâya yönelik görüşlerinin incelenmesi

  2025cites this paper
• Youth as Peer Auditors: Engaging Teenagers with Algorithm Auditing of Machine Learning Applications

  2024cites this paper
• Body Transformation: An Experiential Quality of Sensory Feedback Wearables for Altering Body Perception

  2024cites this paper
• Investigating Youths' Everyday Understanding of Machine Learning Applications: a Knowledge-in-Pieces Perspective

  2024cites this paper
• An analysis of creative thinking skills of biology education students at UIN Raden Intan Lampung

  2024cites this paper
• Lecturers' Perspectives Regarding AI Competencies for Non-computer Science Students in Undergraduate Education

  2024cites this paper
• Systematic Literature Review on Machine Learning Research in Education

  2024cites this paper
• Student Learning Behavior Analysis and Early Warning System Based on Machine Learning

  2024cites this paper
• The Mosaic of Human-AI Co-Creation: Emerging human-technology relationships in a co-design process with generative AI

  2024cites this paper
• Digital Mustard Garden: Revitalizing Freehand-ink-painting Teaching through Artistic Participation

  2024cites this paper
• Visions of Destruction: Exploring a Potential of Generative AI in Interactive Art

  2024cites this paper
• Learning to Draw is Learning to See : A Comprehensive Review of Art and Design Practices in Higher Education

  2024cites this paper
• Unpacking Approaches to Learning and Teaching Machine Learning in K-12 Education: Transparency, Ethics, and Design Activities

  2024cites this paper
• Making (Non-)Sense—A Playful and Explorative Approach to Teaching AI Intuition for the Design of Sensor-Based Interactions

  2024cites this paper
• Introducing and Integrating Machine Learning in an Operations Research Curriculum: An Application-Driven Course

  2023cites this paper
• Teaching Computer Vision for Ecology

  2023cites this paper
• Mix & Match Machine Learning: An Ideation Toolkit to Design Machine Learning-Enabled Solutions

  2023cites this paper
• Using artificial intelligence in craft education: crafting with text-to-image generative models

  2023influential citation
• AI Is Not a Wildcard: Challenges for Integrating AI into the Design Curriculum

  2023cites this paper
• Utilizing Online and Open-Source Machine Learning Toolkits to Leverage the Future of Sustainable Engineering

  2023cites this paper
• Novices' conceptions of machine learning

  2023cites this paper
• The pop song generator: designing an online course to teach collaborative, creative AI

  2023cites this paper
• The Enhancement of Pedagogical Capital by Civil Technology Teachers when Engaged with Practical Assessment Task: A Curriculum Transformation Legacy

  2023cites this paper
• Teaching Accelerated Computing and Deep Learning at a Large-Scale with the NVIDIA Deep Learning Institute

  2023cites this paper
• Experiential Speculation in Vision-Based AI Design Education: Designing Conventional and Progressive AI Futures

  2023cites this paper
• Co-creating digital art with generative AI in K-9 education: Socio-material insights

  2023cites this paper
• Grasping AI: experiential exercises for designers

  2023cites this paper
• Co-ML: Collaborative Machine Learning Model Building for Developing Dataset Design Practices

  2023cites this paper
• Not Just Training, Also Testing: High School Youths' Perspective-Taking through Peer Testing Machine Learning-Powered Applications

  2023cites this paper
• Electronic music composition thinking using visual learning and visual sensing technology

  2023cites this paper
• Education 4.0 and 5.0: Integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Personalized and Adaptive Learning

  2023cites this paper
• What Do Employers Look for in “Business Analytics” Roles? – A Skill Mining Analysis

  2023cites this paper
• Reinterpreted Spaces An AI-Printmaking Collaboration

  2023cites this paper
• Application of kubeflow as a universal approach for the development and implementation of artificial intelligence systems

  2023cites this paper
• AI Competencies for non-computer science students in undergraduate education: Towards a competency framework

  2023cites this paper
• Understanding Learning in Culturally Relevant Artificial Intelligence Education (short paper)

  2023cites this paper
• Motion Decomposition and Guidance Technology in Dance Teaching Based on Motion Feedback System

  2023cites this paper
• Research on the Filtering and Classification Method of Interactive Music Education Resources Based on Neural Network

  2022cites this paper
• Theory and Practice of Integrating Machine Learning and Conventional Statistics in Medical Data Analysis

  2022cites this paper
• Welcome to AI matters 8(2)

  2022cites this paper
• AI education matters

  2022cites this paper
• Enhancing the Cognition and Efficacy of Machine Learning Through Similarity

  2022cites this paper
• "There's no way to keep up!": Diverse Motivations and Challenges Faced by Informal Learners of ML

  2022cites this paper
• Architecture about Dancing: Creating a Cross Environment, Cross Domain Framework for Creative Coding Musicians

  2022cites this paper
• An Approach to Teaching Applied Machine Learning with Autonomous Systems Integration

  2022cites this paper
• Improving Autonomous Systems Education: A Literature Survey

  2022cites this paper
• Relating Machine Learning to the Real-World: Analogies to Enhance Learning Comprehension

  2022cites this paper
• Methodological Reflections on Ways of Seeing

  2022cites this paper
• Web-based Platform for K-12 AI Education in China

  2021influential citation
• How do People Train a Machine?

  2021influential citation
• Machine Learning for Business Students: An Experiential Learning Approach

  2021influential citation
• Applications of Artificial Intelligence in Media and Entertainment

  2021cites this paper
• Pillars of Program Design and Delivery: A Case Study using Self-Directed, Problem-Based, and Supportive Learning

  2021cites this paper
• Intelligent decision support system approach for predicting the performance of students based on three-level machine learning technique

  2021cites this paper
• International Journal of Science and Business

  2021cites this paper
• Spotify and the democratisation of music

  2021cites this paper
• Rules of Program Behavior

  2021cites this paper
• Is It Possible for Young Students to Learn the AI-STEAM Application with Experiential Learning?

  2021cites this paper
• Towards a Framework for Teaching Artificial Intelligence to a Higher Education Audience

  2021cites this paper
• Machine learning approach to predicting the acceptance of academic papers

  2020cites this paper
• Youth making machine learning models for gesture-controlled interactive media

  2020cites this paper
• Reflections on Eight Years of Instrument Creation with Machine Learning

  2020cites this paper
• Teaching Machine Learning in School: A Systematic Mapping of the State of the Art

  2020cites this paper
• From rituals to magic: Interactive art and HCI of the past, present, and future

  2019cites this paper
• Youth Learning Machine Learning through Building Models of Athletic Moves

  2019cites this paper
• Designing Deep Reinforcement Learning for Human Parameter Exploration

  2019cites this paper
• NIME Prototyping in Teams: A Participatory Approach to Teaching Physical Computing

  2019cites this paper
• Uso de Mineração de Dados para o Auxílio de Produção de Material Didático em Disciplinas de Algoritmos

  2019cites this paper
• Situated Toolmaking for Creative Computing: A Framework for Context-aware Machine Learning in Design, Art, and Making

  2019influential citation
• Edinburgh Research Explorer On creative practice and generative AI

  year unknowncites this paper