"I can see that it will have a lot of value to teachers and students and will be recommending it to everyone!!!"
Study Results from the Ministry of Education
Background
In 2011 two field studies were conducted with the full support and cooperation of the Israeli Ministry of Education.
The first pilot study was conducted on several groups of recorder players under the supervision and encouragement of their music teachers. The purpose of the study was to examine the usability and introduction of the game and monitor any immediate impacts of the product.
The second study was done in two different districts – again on specific classes that were chosen by the district supervisors. The purpose of that study was to examine teachers' responses and evaluate short-term effects (2-3 months). Throughout the process, general game flow statistics were collected and summarized.
Preliminary Results
Student improvement rate was higher with the game.
Home practice efforts were visible only for the group with the game
- The average number of playing sessions in the course of two weeks after receiving the game was 7.5. Average duration was almost two hours (109 minutes).
- Study 2: More than 94 hours of practice time were monitored during a period of less than two months.
- Teacher feedback:
- “There is a clear difference between the level of the students that received the game and the control group”.
- “I have noticed an unmistakable improvement in tone production and stability in the students that received the game”.
- "Students' responses to the game were very positive and their motivation increased. Students came to me and said, 'look, I know that song by heart, I played at home…'"
- "Parents feedbacks were very positive. Parents reported that their children practice more at home."
- "We should have started to use the game at the beginning of the school year. Sometimes it takes me up to a month and a half until the tone of the class stabilizes and the children acquire the necessary discipline for music. The game can definitely speed things up…"
- "The game does not replace the teacher but assists in motivating the students".
Methods
First field study: JoyTunes "Recorder Master” was given to 2 groups of recorder players (20 students total). Another group of students, taught by the same teacher, were not given the game (control group, 10 students). The game was distributed on CDs and the students were encouraged to play the game at home. General game flow statistics were collected: playing duration, levels completed, etc. In addition, in-person interviews and questionnaires were conducted with the relevant teachers to measure student capabilities and immediate progress.
Second field test: JoyTunes "Recorder Master” was given to two leading teachers in different districts (50 students total). In addition to the statistical data that was collected, in-depth interviews were conducted with the teachers at the beginning of the test and after two months.
