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A study of the effect of computer assisted instruction, previous music experience, and time on the performance ability of beginning instrumental music students

Evan Lee, University of Nebraska - Lincoln

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of computer assisted instruction, previous experience, and time on the performance ability of beginning instrumental music students. Music aptitude, estimated by using the Intermediate Measures of Music Aptitude (Gordon, 1986), functioned as the covariate in the study. Subjects (N = 29) were surveyed to determine previous musical experience. Students were assigned to one of two groups by ranking based on music aptitude scores and previous musical experience within like instruments. The non-treatment ("traditional") group received instruction by using a typical elementary band book, Essential Elements 2000 (1999). The treatment group received the same instruction as the non-treatment group, but with the additional incorporation of the computer program, SmartMusic (2006). This software provides many educational elements to the student, including background music for musical excerpts, fingering charts, and assessment tools. Subjects were assessed on performance ability through the use of the assessment tool in the SmartMusic (2006) program. The performance was evaluated and assigned a percentage score based on correct pitch and rhythm. There were three assessment cycles, with each cycle spanning a four-week period. The total length of the study was twelve weeks. The design of this study was a 2X2X3 mixed ANCOVA. Results from the study showed no statistical significant difference in either 1st or 2nd order interactions. There were also no significant differences found in the independent variables of treatment or time. Statistical significance was found in the independent variable of performance ability, however, indicating that students with more than one year of formal music instruction scored statistically significantly higher than students with less than one year of formal music instruction.

Subject Area

Music education|Educational technology

Recommended Citation

Lee, Evan, "A study of the effect of computer assisted instruction, previous music experience, and time on the performance ability of beginning instrumental music students" (2007). ETD collection for University of Nebraska-Lincoln. AAI3284028.
https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/dissertations/AAI3284028

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