JamStudio

1. CITATION AND GENERAL INFORMATION
• Title: JamStudio • Author: Dave Edwards • Publisher: Chord Studio, Inc. [|JamStudio] • Copyright: 2008-2011 • Platform (Multiplatform - Online App) • Peripherals (keyboard, mouse) • Grade/Age (Late Elementary, Junior HS/Middle School, High School, Adult) • Type of Class (e.g., General Music, Band, Orchestra, Choir, Theory, History, etc.)

2. TEACHER SUPPORT
JamStudio is a web-based program that allows users can create their own songs. A musical sandbox for users to experiment with musical ideas.

3. INSTRUCTIONAL CONTENT
National Music Standards that could be addressed through this software
 * Standard 4: Composing and arranging music within specified guidelines.

4. INSTRUCTIONAL DESIGN AND PEDAGOGICAL SOUNDNESS
This program is discovery based. The program is designed so that a student can independently complete a composition freely or guided with complete control. The teacher can assign different parameters for the student to complete the task. Such parameters would be to assign specific chord progressions, a specific genre and or assign tempo to exemplify a certain genre.

While the program relies heavily upon student interaction so some prerequisite knowledge of harmonic chord progression may be necessary so it can be tutorial as well. If not teacher guided, compositions could have a variety of "interesting" chord progressions. This could lend itself to a lack of motivation for independent study students or younger students if used in a General Music class for self exploration. Users are able to access compositions by other artists which may lend some users to explore more than interact. Users may offer comments to provide feedback to other users as well.


 * Sequence of Materials: None
 * Pace of Instruction: Fair
 * Quality of Interaction: Fair to Excellent
 * Motivation for Students: Fair to Excellent

Record Keeping:
Records are not kept in this program but users can save and publish their prjects.

Overall Evaluation:
Overall, I believe that, if used properly, this is a good program. The information is presented in a very clear and concise manner and the information presented is very good and students do not need any prior knowledge to use this program. I do, however, believe that a greater amount of interaction from the student would make this an even better program. I believe that it is particularly hard to address the compositional standard of this program. If this program was used in a independent study fashion, it could be beneficial for many different types of musical education and performing classes.

Rating: ***

Reviewer: Tim Stewart (6/14/2011)