Dissertation Information for Liora Bresler NAME: - Liora Bresler
DEGREE:
- Ph.D.
DISCIPLINE:
- Music Education
SCHOOL:
- Stanford University (USA) (1987)
ADVISORS: - None COMMITTEE MEMBERS: - None
MPACT Status: Incomplete - Not_Inspected
Title: THE ROLE OF THE COMPUTER IN A MUSIC THEORY CLASSROOM: INTEGRATION, BARRIERS, AND LEARNING
Abstract: This study investigates the impact of the use of a computer based education system on a college-level introductory music theory class. The objectives of the study were: (1) to assess the integration of the computer into the curriculum; (2) to locate students' and teacher's barriers to using the computer; (3) to identify students' areas of success and difficulty, their individual choices at the computer and their strategies in solving musical problems, and to capture students' experiences as they influence their learning music.
The class chosen as a sample was an introductory music class in a major university. The use of the computer was voluntary for students. The software used in the course was a student controlled program in music theory and ear training.
The study used qualitative methodology. Data sources included extensive observations of the music class and the individual sessions of the 17 computer users, open-ended interviews, examination of written materials, and two sets of questionnaires distributed to the class.
We find that the computer had substantial impact on the learning of some students (all men) who shared the following characteristics: (1) ability to self-diagnose learning difficulties and resourcefulness in overcoming them; (2) analytical thinking; (3) systematic working habits; (4) long concentration span. The observations disclosed a diversity of strategies in problem solving, emphasizing different modes of presentation (e.g. visual, auditory, kinesthetic).
The availability of the computer had no impact on the curriculum in this class, either in goals, contents or format. Teacher's barriers, which included reluctance to review his goals and reluctance to relinquish his position of authority, hindered the integration of the computer into the curriculum. This resulted in little impact of the computer on the learning of most students. Barriers students encountered included the lack of on-line guidance, poor sound quality, the presentation of isolated musical elements, a discouraging grading system on the computer, and system software bugs.
Even when an educational innovation offers significant advantages, its adoption and use may create problems for teachers and students, problems which make the innovation less successful than it might otherwise have been. It is hoped that the recommendations of the study will lead to a development of curriculum that will fully realize the potential of the computer through its proper integration.
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MPACT Scores for Liora Bresler A = 0
C = 1
A+C = 1
T = 0
G = 0
W = 0
TD = 0
TA = 0
calculated 2008-01-31 06:17:26
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