Effect of multimedia on student performance: the case of Chinese musical classes

Abstract

ABSTRACT The work aims at improving Chinese music lessons using multimedia technologies. In this regard, the authors applied some testing methods, as well as statistical calculations. The research process involved 160 Chinese school and university students. The test results showed that the main percentage of the respondents had an average level of knowledge at the introductory stage – 52% of the school students and 58% of the university students. Repetitions of notes and melodies aurally caught the greatest interest of the school students (27%) during learning, and so did reproductions of sound effects in the university students (24%) according to some specified parameters. The authors developed a multimedia training program based on the data obtained, using, inter alia, interactive whiteboards, electronic textbooks, software, video demonstrations and psychological support. The level of the respondents’ knowledge has increased significantly after training. Acquiring average knowledge by 3% of the school students and 6% of the university students confirms this. The calculation of standard deviations showed that the majority of the respondents confirmed their high level of knowledge, since there was practically no standard deviation. This indicator was 0.06 and 0.002 for the school students and the university students, respectively.