Date of Award
12-2014
Degree Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Education in Teacher Leadership (Ed.D)
Department
Educational Leadership
Committee Chair/First Advisor
Dr. Harry Price
Second Committee Member
Dr. Jo Williamson
Third Committee Member
Dr. Gita Taasoobshirazi
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to document the use of SmartMusic Interactive Practice Software and its effect on practice habits and motivation. The 12-week study measured participant practice time using paper practice charts and the online grade book/practice chart in SmartMusic Interactive Practice software. In addition, an 11-question Likert survey was administered pre and poststudy to measure students’ reactions and motivations to practice. Participants (N=38) were randomly assigned to either the SmartMusic group (SM, n=19) or the Contact Control group (CC, n =19). Data from an Independent Samples t test measuring group practice time indicate a significant difference between the mean scores of SM and the CC. Likert survey data were measured using a Wilcoxon Signed rank test and a 2-sample t test and indicate no significant difference in z scores or mean scores, respectively.