Virtual collaborative learning environments for music: networked drumsteps
This paper focuses on a tool for meaningful, collaborative, interaction in a constructionist music composition environment. In particular, it describes the design and implementation of "Networked Drum-Steps", an application that allows multiple users in different locations to collaborate in the process of music composition, but without the use of standard notation. Findings from the testing of Networked DrumSteps in an educational environment show encouraging results. Learners agreed that the piece they made together was "different" from something they would have made on their own, and that they made it in different way. From a technical perspective Networked DrumSteps has proven itself to be highly scalable and extendable. Tests done with up to six people collaborating together showed no signs of performance deterioration. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
collaborative learning music education interactive learning environments computer-mediated communication