Computer assisted instruction in aural music skills: an experimental study of the effectiveness of Music lab series by Ronald Thomas and Gary Barber in college basic music classes.

Abstract

This study evaluates the effectiveness of the Music Lab Series (MLS) software program written by Ronald Thomas and Gary Barber and distributed by Temporal Acuity Products as compared with a classroom-only approach for teaching sight-singing / ear-training skills. A control group, receiving only classroom instruction, is compared with an experimental group receiving classroom instruction and the MLS. Pre-tests and post-tests in rhythm, sight-singing, and solfege identification are analyzed for variance. Existing literature dealing with aural music skills (sight-singing and ear-training) is reviewed in chronological order. Though significance at the p< .05 level was not found, some significance was found at the p< .10 level.