Alfreds+Interactive+Musician


 * 1.** **CITATION AND GENERAL INFORMATION**

· Title: [|Alfred’s Interactive Musician] · Author: Programmed by Christopher Bishop. For further information, see “credits” on Welcome Screen. · Publisher: Alfred Publishing Co. Inc. · Copyright: 2002 · Platform: Macintosh & Wintel · Peripherals: A MIDI keyboard is optional. · Grade/Age: Late Elementary through High School (see ) for specifics on age-appropriate levels. · Type of Class: General Music, Music Theory


 * 2. TEACHER SUPPORT**

AIM contains a detailed and well-organized user guide for teachers. This user guide explains the features of the program in separate chapters. AIM also contains on-screen tutorials for each section of the program. These are helpful for both students and the teacher, as they contain sample screens for how to operate aspects of the software.

Although AIM contains no lesson plans, it does allow educators to customize learning exercises and contains instructions/tutorials on how to do so. Objectives are, interestingly, included on the game’s screen. For example, the “Single Note Exercise” game screen states, “The Single Note Exercise will develop your ability to recognize a single pitch.”

Student activity is shared through AIM not on paper, but digitally through importing/exporting data by e-mail or on disk. Teachers can simplify this process through the AIM database which converts information into ASCII files (see pp. 20-22 of the user guide).


 * 3. INSTRUCTIONAL CONTENT**

AIM is a software package dedicated to developing skills of pitch training, sight-reading, and rhythm. Through playing short musical games, students become familiar with these elements of music. There are multiple levels of difficulty for each drill area, so students of any age or level can use AIM. The early levels are very simple; the later levels are very challenging. Teachers can customize these exercises as well as evaluate them, therefore having immediate access to student progress.

National Music Standards that could be addressed through this software are:

5. Reading and notating music. 6. Listening to, analyzing, and describing music


 * 4. INSTRUCTIONAL DESIGN AND PEDAGOGICAL SOUNDNESS**

AIM uses drill-and-practice to develop student’s skills in pitch-training, sight-reading, and rhythm. The on-screen presentation is engaging and simple. Background colors enhance the screen rather than detract from it. As this is a multiple skill level program, students can work at whatever pace is best for them.

This program is structured so that students can quickly choose the element of music they will be practicing and the skill level they will be attempting. Each drill contains ten questions and progress is monitored on the screen. Students can have musical examples repeated or slowed down at their convenience.


 * 5. RECORD KEEPING**

The educator can log in to “Student Scores” on the Welcome Screen to keep track of students’ progress.

There is no “hall of fame” for students to keep track of each other’s progress.


 * 6. OVERALL EVALUATION**

AIM is a great program for general music/music theory educators looking to enhance their teaching with technology. AIM’s drills on pitch-recognition, sight-reading, and rhythm can supplement the music curriculum. It can also serve as extra practice or enrichment for those who require it. The multiple levels of exercises are excellent for this purpose.

The ability to customize exercises is another nice feature of this program because it allows educators to individualize instruction to meet the needs of their students.

Finally, AIM’s student database feature is an example of how technology can foster teacher and student communication in new ways. Students can practice, the educator can assess, and everyone can have an enhanced learning experience.

Rating: ++++

Reviewed by: Margaret Kiehl 4/11/06