Rhythm+Adding

1. CITATION AND GENERAL INFORMATION

 * Title: Rhythm Adding
 * Author: Craig Gonci
 * Publisher: The Music Interactive [|The Music Interactive]
 * Copyright Date: ©2008
 * Platform: The Rhythm Adding software is available for both Macintosh and Window systems.
 * Peripherals: Computer keyboard and/or mouse are recommended for this software.
 * Grade/Age: The grade/age levels for this program are appropriate for Middle through High School students.
 * Type of Classes: The Rhythm Adding program can be incorporated into the Music Theory, and Ensemble classrooms.

2. TEACHER SUPPORT
 * Documentation of material is provided on the Internet website and more information can be found after signing up on the TMI Forum.
 * Objectives are not stated for the exercises, rather, it is assumed the user knows the intent of the program by its title.
 * Lessons are simple and based only upon the addition of note values.
 * Sample screens are not provided because of the basic structure to the program.
 * Resource information is only included on the Internet website and Forum.
 * Reproducible student pages are not available. The program is intended as as a group activity or independently.
 * Student booklets are not available on this program.

3. INSTRUCTIONAL CONTENT
 * Specific Musical Content: The Rhythm Adding program specifically drills adding note durations through a variety of simple and complex meters.
 * The Rhythm Adding program address only one National Music Standard.
 * National Music Standard #5: Reading and notating music

4. INSTRUCTIONAL DESIGN AND PEDAGOGICAL SOUNDNESS
 * The Teaching strategies of Rhythm Adding is appropriate for students of the suggested levels. In addition, the publisher developed the program to be interactive with other technological devices in the classroom (e.g., whiteboards) to promote more creative ways of learning.
 * The Presentation of the material on the screen is straightforward. The only problem for the user would be to know that s/he would select meters/notes that they do not want included in their lesson. (Important: again, user clicks on meters and durations NOT desired for the exercises)
 * The Readability of the program is appropriate and the difficulty is up to random computer selection.
 * The Graphics are fundamental and are not distracting to the user.
 * The user has complete control in the learning process as well as the movement between different sections of the program.
 * The Program Structure of Rhythm Adding is in the following formats:
 * Drill & Practice
 * The user has complete control over the time to which s/he needs in answering a question.
 * There is appropriate and basic feedback for correct answers, to which the student is able to try or has the option of moving on to the next question.
 * There is no option to discover the correct answer: Correct answer is not shown after any quantity of incorrect entries, and there is no opportunity to request that the correct answer be shown.
 * Instructional Game
 * The Rhythm Adding program does not incorporate any type of violence or combat-type activities. The competitive nature is determined and dependent upon the user(s) involved.
 * The physical work required is minimal, and only requires use of the brain, eyes, and arm.
 * The administrator can control the use of the program for either group and individual activities.
 * The Sequence of Materials is Fair.
 * The Pace of Instruction is Excellent because the user may proceed at his/her desired pace.
 * The Quality of Interaction is Poor, because of its minimality.
 * The Motivations for Students for this program is Poor. There is no creative way of drawing the users eye. Additionally there is no sound and no animation.

5. RECORD KEEPING
 * The Rhythm Adding program does not provide any sort of record keeping.

6. OVERALL EVALUATION
 * Summary: Overall, the Rhythm Adding program is a fair program and would be a valuable tool for independent and/or quick classroom drilling. A great benefit of the program is that its focus is only upon one musical topic. However, this is also its downfall. The user is able to work at his/her own pace and the age level can be appropriate for Middle to High School students. Basically, the Rhythm Adding program would be a good resource to use independently outside of the classroom. Though the program is minimal in its focus of musical areas, the publisher TMI provides several other programs that address additional areas besides rhtyhm.
 * Summary: It is important to note that the correct answer is never given no matter how many incorrect attempts are made. The user also cannot request the correct answer.
 * Rating -- 2/4 Stars (Fair)

7. • Created by: Jeffrey D. Klefstad (10/21/2010) • Augmented by Chris Ilg (6/14/2011)