Seeking alternatives in music education: The effects of mobile technologies on students’ achievement in basic music theory

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the effect of mobile technology with music education content that supports basic music theory teaching on secondary school students’ achievement levels and learning. The study was carried out using a mixed-methods sequential explanatory design on sixth-grade secondary school students studying in Turkey (experimental group n = 43 and control group n = 40). The experimental group students attended an 8-week music lesson prepared through mobile technologies called NoteWorks (the names of the tunes, the letter notation, and their positions on the piano), Rhythm Cat (rhythm studies), GarageBand (arrangement studies), and Kids Piano (playing the melody by remembering). Basic music theory subjects were taught to the control group using traditional music teaching methods. Quantitative data showed that the music lesson activities developed and enriched with mobile technologies created a significant difference in the students in the experimental group’s basic music theory subjects’ achievement test scores. Post-intervention assessments (semi-structured interviews) increased students’ motivation levels, willingness to study outside the classroom, communication, musical development, and willingness to participate in the lesson. The research concludes with several recommendations and highlights points that need further attention in mobile technology research.