Output details

Playstation power : Removing Performance Barriers to Musical Composition

Originality:

The design and development of software, allowing common game controller interfaces to be utilised in music making. The software has undergone significant testing in schools across key stages 3, 4 and 5. The original and prime focus is in the enabling of full user customisation of parameters in order to successfully scaffold musical development. Children’s mastery of modern consumer technology, allows the use of a variety of control interfaces where they are ‘digitally native’, thus removing the barriers of performance and inviting expression of their creativity.

Significance:

Current music education methods focus on the differentiation of the task set, with the most common interface (the keyboard) remaining the same for all users, regardless of the user’s musical skill. This software additionally enables differentiation of the interface in order to target specific musical skill areas in order to enhance the development of the musical self. On a wider scale this also supports numerous motivational theories relating to education and also seeks to address ailing figures relating to the uptake of music post key stage 3.

Rigour:

Musical outputs and process perception outputs from both school children and teachers are analysed using standard academic methodology, as are skills assessments against syllabi such as the National Curriculum and additional teacher target setting as part of monitoring processes.