Abstract This paper looks at the history of electronic music and how this history can help explain the way music is made today. The paper describes the different types of electronic music, the instruments used to make electronic music, composers of electronic music, the development of the synthesizer, and how computers are used to generate music.
Outline
Changing Instrumentation
Electronic Music The Development of the Synthesizer
The Music Computer Music
From the Paper "Electronic music has become a staple in popular music, a vital part of experimental and avant-garde music, and an occasional means of performing classical music. Different types of electronic production are also common for music in films, television programs, and commercials. Electronic music has been produced in some form for more than a century, but it has become more common with the creation of the synthesizer and other electronic instruments, and even more common as these and similar devices have been computerized and digitized. The synthesizer can simulate an entire orchestra or just one or two instruments. The adept user can produce a wide variety of sounds, composing in studio or in performance. A single user can thus use this system to produce short or long works, including adding a soundtrack to a silent film at minimal cost and without the need for a studio full of musicians. The synthesizer was produced after decades of experimentation with electronic music as different composers sought ways to express themselves in this manner."
Abstract This extensive paper describes the use of Computer Algebra Systems (CAS) in helping students develop their mathematical skills. The research contained in this report addresses the use of CAS in the mathematics classroom. It also addresses the attitudes shared by teachers and students alike as it relates to the use of this technology. In particular, the Maple CAS system is evaluated. The author states that the purpose of this research is to take a systematic approach to the design and evaluation of the teaching, learning and assessing mathematics courses using the CAS Maple. The focus of the evaluation are first year service mathematics courses at a university. The effectiveness of different ways of incorporating Maple activities into such courses is also examined.
Table of Contents
Introduction and Statement of the Research Questions
Literature Review
How People Learn Mathematics and the Role of Technology
Review of Studies Related to the Use of Technology in the Classroom
Utilizing Computer Algebra Systems
CAS in the Classroom
Survey Papers
The Research Methodology of the Study
Conclusion
From the Paper "The purpose of this research is to take a systematic approach to the design and evaluation of the teaching, learning and assessing mathematics courses using the CAS Maple. Of particular interest are first year service mathematics courses at RMIT University. The effectiveness of different ways of incorporating Maple activities into such courses will also be examined.
The investigation will be conducted as a research and development activity through which Maple activities are designed and evaluated in a feedback cycle and we follow an Action Research methodology. Initially, examples from the literature and relevant theories concerning mathematical understanding were sought in order to inform the development of new resources. Student's responses to the first cycle of activities in 2003 were obtained. The conclusions drawn are informing the development of resources for the next cycle. This process will continue over the course of six semesters. The research methods utilized are observations of classes, analysis of student's work, responses to specially designed test instruments, use of feedback questionnaires and structured interviews. Some use will be made of video will also be utilized to record and analyse methodology to evaluate the teaching and learning of mathematics using Maple in a computer lab."
Abstract This paper discusses the techniques and strategies of teaching basic mathematical concepts to preschoolers. It has been found that children can learn pre-mathematical and mathematical ideas easily if teachers use developmentally appropriate strategies. Most educators are pf the view that in preschool, mathematics classroom should employ the constructivist learning principles which allow children to think, interpret and reach their own answers.
Abstract This paper explains that language and mathematics are similar in that they both have rules. The author points out that people make assumptions when it comes to language and mathematics, which may not be proven and only are assumed to be correct. The paper relates that mathematics and language have many similarities such as syntax and semantics.
From the Paper ""Colorless green ideas sleep furiously," are words with specific meaning but put together in a sentence they clearly lack meaning (Devlin, Born). Does language and communication mean the same thing? Do the formulas for mathematics always have the same answers? Language and mathematics do not always make sense without the formal rules of syntax. People make assumptions when it comes to language and mathematics that may not be proven and only assumed to be correct. Mathematics and language have many similarities such as syntax and semantics."
Abstract This paper is a report on a questionnaire given out to students in college to test their understanding of mathematics. The author points out that this research investigates the difference between knowledge and understanding and seeks the way to assess understanding. The paper concludes that the questionnaire derived from the GED in mathematics is a way to test understanding of high school mathematics for students who have graduated from high school.
From the Paper "The purpose of this analysis is to see if it is possible to test understanding, specifically the understanding of mathematics. Such an analysis tests both mathematics teaching and mathematics learning, though at this preliminary stage it is not clear whether the teaching method is what is most important or the learning style of the student. Testing understanding is different from testing knowledge, for the latter shows that the student has assimilated ideas and even processes, while the former shows that the student has learned the underlying theory and can apply it in different situations. In mathematics, testing understanding is perhaps more common in normal testing than would be the case in certain other disciplines where simple facts are more common. In mathematics, of necessity the student must show an understanding of theory in order to apply mathematical concepts to written problems and arrive at the correct answer."
Abstract This paper explains that the field of mathematics education provides considerable support for a variety of perspectives, which include new and innovative ideas and concepts. The author points out that graduate-level mathematics students are typically required to develop and submit a comprehensive dissertation to demonstrate their knowledge and skills. The paper presents two distinct mathematics education dissertations in greater detail, emphasizing the key strengths and weaknesses of each argument and the supporting literature reviews.
From the Paper "The field of mathematics education provides considerable support for a variety of perspectives, which include new and innovative ideas and concepts that provide valuable contributions to the subject. It is evident that today's mathematics educators provide valuable knowledge, information and skills to mathematics students of all ages, and that there is a wide body of research that exists regarding mathematics education that is critical to the field. Graduate-level mathematics students are typically required to develop and submit a comprehensive dissertation to their respective schools in order to demonstrate their knowledge and skills in order to earn a graduate degree. The following discussion evaluates two dissertations written in the field of mathematics education, promoting different concepts in unique ways. A comparison and contrast is introduced, along with an evaluation of the key strengths and weaknesses of each dissertation."
Abstract The paper examines the possibility that biology, evolution and the development of mathematics are linked more closely than mathematicians would necessarily have us believe. The paper challenges the basic Platonist assumption that abstract mathematical concepts possess concrete being and are consequently fundamental parts of the universe. Instead, the paper discusses the possibility that mathematics is a construction of the human mind and an evolutionary development.
From the Paper "Most often we take mathematical truth for granted. Rather than understand it as an historical construction - not so different from any other human production, such as language - most people fully believe that mathematics is natural and etched into the very fabric of the cosmos. This is a classic Platonist view of the universe in which even abstract concepts have physical reality. Twentieth century theorists, especially in linguistics, have repeatedly challenged the efficacy of abstract concepts. But mathematics is still, in some part, understood to be the realm of the gods with right-brains their unerring prophets."
Abstract This paper explains that obvious similarities conclude that human language may be reducible to mathematical formulation. The author points out that that mathematics consists of sets of axioms in which statements can be either true or not. The paper relates, while this does not necessarily seem very much like language, Godel's Incompleteness Theorem relates that meaning can exist outside of axiomatic sets, providing a new basis for similarity.
From the Paper "It should not be surprising that mathematicians and linguists have drawn parallels between these two disciplines. There are obvious similarities that have made many believe that human language may be reducible to mathematical formulation. Some have even attempted to use the assumption to teach machines how to speak, constructing complex utterances based on a limited number of syntactical rules. However, these efforts and others to fully connect mathematics and language have proved largely unsuccessful. The following paper will briefly examine some of the similarities between language and mathematics. By its nature, language has a combinational structure, known as syntax or grammar, that permits the communication of complex ideas (Devlin "Born")."
Abstract This paper examines the question of what mathematical premises would be dependent on the biological and physical evolution of a given species, assuming of course that we knew other intelligent species had evolved. The writer discusses that some critics suppose that language and mathematics by extension are dependent upon the physical parameters set out by the body. The writer explains: ten fingers and hence a decimated numerical system. This essay probes that assumption.
From the Paper "There is almost certainly a connection between biology and the ability to conceptualize. The basic logical processes that we, as humans, often take for granted are in reality quite dependent upon our own physical evolution. How likely is it that we would have developed a base ten numerical system if we didn't just happen to have ten fingers? It would be perfectly plausible to have a base six system or base twelve, for example. But the question becomes how much of mathematics is a product of biological evolution and how much of it exists unto itself."
A research paper that examines educators' perceptions of changes in reform-related practices in mathematics instruction since the implementation of state wide testing.
Abstract The paper examines the effects of mathematics reform on teacher practices and determines the perceptions of educators regarding it's effects on student achievement since the implementation of high stakes testing. The paper identifies reform-related practices in mathematics instruction that have increased, decreased, or not changed since the implementation of high stakes testing, based on educators' perceptions and determines educators' perceptions of the effects of reform-related practices on improving student achievement since the implementation of high stakes testing. The paper also addresses a significant number of research questions regarding the perceptions of educators, both generally and demographically, regarding the changes that have occurred within the classroom for students since the implementation of outcomes based testing.
Outline:
Abstract
Acknowledgements
List of Tables
Chapter 1
Introduction
Statement of the Problem
Purpose of the Study
Research Question
Significance of the Study
Proposed Methods and Procedures
Definitions of Terms
Literature Review
Introduction
Components of MERA
Perspectives of Educators Regarding Standardized Education Reforms Standards and Assessments
Changes in Curriculum and Modes of Instruction
The Effects of Accountability Systems on Individual Teachers
The Effects of Accountability Systems on a School's Capacity
The Effects of Accountability Systems on Student Learning
Alignment of Curricula and Instruction
Conclusion and Final Thoughts
Theoretical and Conceptual Frameworks
Methodology
Research Design
Sample Description
Survey Permission and Procedures for Human Subject
Protection Survey
Distribution
Survey Returns
Instruments, Measures, and Validity
Data Analysis
Specific Data Analysis Plan for Each Research
Question
Limitations
Results
Research Question One
Research Question Two
Research Question Three
Research Question Four
Research Question Five
Research Question Six
Research Question Seven
Summary and Discussion
Connecting the Theoretical Framework
Discussion
Implications of the Outcome of the Data Conclusion
Implications for Future Research
From the Paper "Another informative aspect of reform and a clear guide for future research will be real test scores, beyond marginal improvements. To accept reform as positive teachers and other educators must be shown more than marginal improvements on test scores, and they must also see real improvement for remedial as well as advanced and "normal" students. Student participation in creative solutions can and likely will play a part in these improvements, regardless of early concerns regarding issues of teachers "teaching to the test." Real world mathematics applications, performance based assessment for daily, weekly and quarterly personal improvement needs as well as many other teacher based creative reforms will likely continue to play a significant role in change."
Abstract This paper is a proposal for a study of mathematics education to determine the effectiveness of such teaching at the high school level and some of the methods used by the most effective teachers. It is assumed that their methods are variations on what they learned in teacher education altered by experience and not yet articulated as a different teaching method.
From the Paper "Mathematics education has been analyzed from many perspectives, but there is a need for ongoing studies of the process of teaching mathematics to assure that the educational system is working and that students are learning what they need, that the field is keeping up with the changing technological and scientific requirements involving mathematics, that the teaching is preparing students for the working world into which they will one day graduate, and so on. Mathematics testing is conducted at various times over the high school career of the average student and should provide an understanding of what students are learning and so whether the teaching methods followed by instructors are effective. Where there are lapses in terms of different mathematical concepts, teachers might adjust their methods to give added attention to these areas or to shift their method so something more effective."
Abstract This paper discusses the music recording industry and how it has been impacted by digital music distribution. The paper relates that the early success the music labels had against the initial music file downloading sites were short lived, and legitimate digital downloading sites have since prospered. The paper then argues that major recording labels are suffering from the decline in CD sales, not because of music pirating, but because they refuse to recognize that consumers demand digital music downloading for its convenience and portability. The paper further emphasizes that digital music distribution and retailing is the future of the music industry and every relevant party seems to recognize this, except the music industry itself.
Outline:
Overview
Restructuring of the music Industry
New distribution model & Itunes
Online distribution variations
Conclusion
From the Paper "The music industry, in spite of its ineptitude and obstinacy over the past decade regarding digital music downloading, is finally realizing that whether it embraces downloading services such as iTunes and others, it must evolve with the digital age or face irrelevance. In order to compensate for the loss of revenues, the recording music industry has been examining their base revenues in order to determine if digital downloads can compensate completely for the decline in sales of CDs. Two of the major record labels, Sony and BMG, have even merged in order to expand their catalogues (Recording, 2007). There have been efforts made to encourage EMI to merge with one of the remaining three major record labels but thus far these remaining major record labels have resisted further consolidation. However, EMI undertook its own internal restructuring by merging its two main record labels in the US market during the first half of 2007 and Warner Music was sold during 2004 creating even more churn in the industry (Recording, 2007). Yet, perhaps the most visible change is the industry is the downsizing or disappearance of retail music stores, which has begun to accelerate."
Abstract Music is an important element in life. Every person has the ability to listen to music and evaluate it based on his or her own personal tastes. This paper explains Aristotle's belief that measuring the worth of music based on personal likes and dislikes was the only appropriate way to determine music value. The paper also discusses Plato's view which differed from Aristotle's. Plato claimed that certain criteria had to be used to evaluate music. These criteria were necessary to alleviate subjective arguments and provide a universal system of measurement important in an ordered society. The paper then discusses the point that, while it is Aristotle's concept of music evaluation that was ultimately embraced by society, Plato's musical evaluation process can still be attributed to the manner in which some people believe that the value of music should be measured. Plato believed that music had the power to alter human emotion.
Abstract This paper examines how music education requires different motivating concepts than other areas of the curriculum. The paper explains that this difference is evident because the student of music presents specific factors that are particular only to music learning. For example, by high school age the music student has generally experienced some type of vocal or instrumental training prior to entering a high school program. Those students that are new to music education must be evaluated, as well as motivated in different ways. Students in a music education program may also desire to work toward a career in music, while other students may only possess a slight interest in music. The paper also explains that, while each music education program is different, one primary element that remains the same is the student and that awakening the student's desire to achieve goals is essential to music education today.
