Mobile learning: Using application Auralbook to learn aural skills

Abstract

This study is to investigate the effectiveness of using mobile devices such as iPhone/iPad/android phone/tablet to facilitate mobile learning in aural skills. The application Auralbook was designed in 2011 by an engineer/musician to use mobile devices to learn aural skills. This application enables students to sing, record, clap and answer questions generated by the computer based on the Associated Board of Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM) syllabus for more than 100,000 users worldwide. This study is to a) examine the effectiveness of using application Auralbook to learn aural skills, b) observe the progress of learning during the aural musicianship development, and c) propose a theoretical framework in using mobile devices to learn aural skills. The performance scores in each area, such as clapping, singing, feature (stylistic recognition), are analyzed. Research findings indicate that the functions clapping and singing score better than the other function – feature (stylistic recognition). The frequent users show significant progress in clapping and feature (stylistic recognition) at the beginner level, and singing at the intermediate level in this study.