Peer Review

Music Theory Learning Objects for Drill and Practice

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Overview:: Music Theory Learning Objects for Drill and Practice is a collection of applets designed to test students on their ability to identify different elements of music. The collection includes testing applets on the following topics: Identify Chord Aurally, Identify Chord, Identify Interval Inversion, Write Scale, Identify Interval Aurally, Identify Chord and Inversion, Identify Key Signature, Identify Scale Degree, Write Chord, Identify Interval, Write Key Signature, Complete Measure with Rests, Complete Chord, Write Interval, Indentify Scale and Detect Error.
Type of Material:: Applets for Drill, Practice and Testing.
Recommended Uses:: This site would be excellent for beginning theory students to practice their ability to identify and spell the fundamental elements of music. The site is also good for ear training in intervals and chord qualities.
Technical Requirements:: Standard web browser, online connection and speakers for sound playback.
Identify Major Learning Goals:: The learning goals of this site are to develop speed and proficiency in identifying and writing (spelling) intervals, chords, scales, key signatures and rhythms.
Target Student Population:: Suitable for advanced public school to college undergraduates in music.
Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills:: Students should know the basic elements of music (i.e. intervals, scales and chords) before using this site.

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Strengths:: Each applet isolates a specific skill and provides an easy to understand exercise that allows the student to test their proficiency. Each applet also provides an answer for immediate feedback to the student. The student can try each exercise as many times as they need in order to correctly respond. Also, if a student answers incorrectly, the student can re-listen or write the exercise to reinforce the correct response.
Concerns:: The site does not provide any information on how to correctly answer each exercise. Any tools, context or rules the student may need to know must be provided by an instructor. The rhythmic materials seem a bit out of place here, but not really a concern.

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Strengths:: The potential effectiveness of this site is in using the site with very specific instruction by a teacher. The sites effectiveness is in its targeting specific skills for students to develope and providing a clear tool for practice.
Concerns:: No concerns.

Rating:
Strengths:: The site is fairly intuitive. Users should be able to figure it out quickly without instructions. Notes that were incorrectly entered on the staff were easy to change without having to "erase" the previous entry.
Concerns:: No concerns.