Form, function and performances in a musical instrument MAKErs camp

Abstract

This experience report presents the planning, execution and results of an exploratory 5-day musical instrument MAKErs camp for K-12 students. Students used various hardware sensors, a graphical programming environment and different physical prototyping techniques to create musical instruments. The design of a musical instrument introduces students to the full spectrum of the design process including form factor and function. Throughout the camp, students shared and performed in front of their peers to gain feedback as they iterated through the design of a musical instrument.

The Kitsch-Instrument

“…[16] The Kitsch-Instrument offers a novel interface and musical experience, supplementing and enriching the ways in which children and adults can engage with technology.…”

Effects of Music Listening upon online CS Students

“…Subsequently, pairs of CS students build a visual application to permit writing a piece of music using each notation system. In this line, other performatics approaches introduce Design Patterns [Hamer 2004], programming and hardware (sensors) integration to design musical instruments [Sawyer et al 2013], and game programming played through real instruments [Silla et al 2016].…”

“…Similarly, other studies used music as a stimulus element for programming-related tasks [Lapidot and Hazzan 2005]. Some studies yet employ interdisciplinary approaches that congregate CS and Arts students to solve a common problem together [Sawyer et al 2013]. Despite their contribution, this literature does not examine the potential benefits of music listening on the CS students' well-being and attitude when attending online courses.…”