A system for developing a series of interactive tests of vocal production requiring on-line audiovisual recording

Abstract

AIRS-TEST, an online system supporting a major collaborative research initiative, Advancing Interdisciplinary Research in Singing (AIRS), was developed. AIRS-TEST administers a sequence of interactive tests and organizes the results for analysis. The tests can present text and audiovisual information to prompt the participant's response (e.g., key presses, mouse clicks, touch-screen or audiovideo input). Researchers can design and create a sequence of related tests with auditory and/or visual stimuli via a management interface delivered by a web browser. Audiovideo recording modules can be embedded into the tests in many flexible ways. Participants need an invitation code to access a test collection. Experimental results can be explored online or downloaded for further analysis. An authority module is associated with collected data to control user's right of retrieval, considering both confidentiality and collaborative sharing. The software technologies supporting the various modules of AIRS-TEST are MySQL, Java EE, Flex and Red5. Whereas AIRS-TEST will be used worldwide to promote the AIRS study of cultural, universal, and individual influences on the acquisition of singing (Cohen et al, 2009, Annals NYAS, 1169, 112-115), AIRS-TEST can potentially support other experiments requiring on-line audio or audiovisual recording, as will be demonstrated. [Work supported by SSHRC MCRI]