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Faculty in the Department of Music have been actively pursuing digital technologies to enrich the learning environment of undergraduate music students. Kathryn Alexander, Director of Undergraduate Studies in the Department of Music, feels that IT is enhancing undergraduate music education at Yale in at least several respects.
In terms of pedagogy, music instruction software enables self-paced learning by students in areas that previously demanded instructor interaction or peer tutoring. For example, ear training software such as MacGamut and Practicum Musica allow students to customize exercises to target the areas that they have the most difficulty with. "It's like having an infinitely patient tutor", says Prof. Alexander. She also points out that the technology is not a replacement for collaborative or instructor-guided learning; rather, it allows instructors to use classroom interactions to focus on core curriculum goals rather than practice-related issues.
Other software that enhances the music composition environment contributes to the creative processes involved in music composition. "By giving students an interactive environment in which to compose, the technology allows them to sketch out a piece and receive instantaneous feedback on how it will sound when performed", describes Prof. Alexander. "This helps students to critique their work sooner and in a more objective fashion".
Music instruction software has been supported by Academic Computing Services in the general computing clusters and in the Phelps classroom. To increase the accessibility to some of the more specialized technologies that are being used in instruction, Music recently created a new teaching lab within the Department at 143 Elm Street. Consisting of 5 Macintosh G3 computers and peripherals such as electronic keyboards and CD-burners, it offers tools for traditional analysis, eartraining, and notation, and hypercard stacks with companion recordings for repertory study. The facility has served over 300 undergraduate music students in six courses during its first semester of operation.
Future plans for technology in Music instruction include increased use of CD-ROM and web-based compilations to create "multimedia" course materials, and a further expansion of the existing music lab.
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