The effect of computer-assisted instruction and field independence on the development of rhythm sight-reading skills of middle school instrumental students

Abstract

This study investigated how the effectiveness of computer-assisted instruction (CAI) to teach rhythm reading skills may be influenced by subjects' level of field dependence/independence. The subjects for the study consisted of 120 middle school instrumental music students divided into four groups based on scores from the Group Embedded Figures Test. Each was randomly divided in half. Half were assigned to the experimental group receiving CAI using Music Ace 2 software, and the control group received no CAI treatment. This CAI was administered half an hour a week for eight weeks. A pre- and post-test of subjects' abilities to read and perform rhythms were measured using the Rhythm Performance Scale. No significant difference was found between test score improvements of the experimental and control groups. However, significant findings were found to show that field-independent subjects overall performed better on the rhythm performance test than field dependent subjects.