A study to develop and implement a computer-based melodic interval course and to compare that course with an established drill method

Date Issued
August 1, 1980
Author(s)
Chastain, Gerald Woodyard
Advisor(s)
Donald M. Pederson
Additional Advisor(s)
George F. DeVine
Walter Hawthorne
Permanent URI
Abstract
Aural identification and notation of melodic intervals are basic skills in college-level aural training. Repetitive drill is considered an essential discipline in obtaining these skills, but present drill methods suffer from numerous disadvantages. Although computer-based instruction has offered a remedy for these disadvantages, the cost of large computing systems has been prohibitive for most educational institutions. Microcomputers have been developed in the last few years which have made computer-based aural training a general economic possibility, but there is a lack of comprehensive music courseware for these machines. The purpose of this study has been to develop and implement such courseware, using an Apple II microcomputer, and to compare that courseware to an existing drill method which has been used at The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, for seven years. This method utilizes tape recordings in conjunction with a printed workbook.

A nine-week experiment was conducted during the Fall Quarter, 1979. The subjects in the experiment were thirty-six freshman ear-training students at The University of Tennessee, Knoxville. All students attended two regular classes per week and were taught by the same instructor. A control group, consisting of seventeen students, accomplished drill work outside of class using the tape recording/workbook method; while an experimental group used the computer-based course.

A pre-test and a post-test provided data which were used to make a statistical comparison of the two methods. The comparison of the pre-test scores indicated that the two groups were homogeneous. The comparison of the post-test scores indicated that the experimental group attained a higher level of achievement than the control group. The total raw score improvement of the experimental group was 112 percent, while that of the control group was only 74 percent.

The Apple II microcomputer was found to be well suited for melodic interval instruction. Furthermore, automatic record-keeping was easily implemented in conjunction with that instruction. The primary conclusion of the study was that the computer-based course was clearly superior to the tape recording/workbook method.

Degree
Master of Music
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Thesis80C338.pdf

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