Examining the development of musical perception with traditional and computer-based testing

Abstract

In our study we examine the development of musical perception at first grade of the primary school. Our aim is to compare two different measuring surface, the paper pencil (PP) based and the computer based (CB) testing, we adapted our previous paper-pencil based test to an online, computer-based surface. As a paper pencil test 130 students, as a computer based test 155 students were measured. Based on our results, the reliabilities of both measurement devices are good. The difference between the reliability values of the full tests was not significant. In the case of the two tests the factor structures can be compared, we can distinguish a pitch-perception and a temporal processing factor. Between the two tests which were measured in a different surface we found significant differences between the developmental level of music perception, the data show a 8%p bigger general development in the case of paper-pencil test (PP= 58%p; CB= 50%p). We think about our research as a first step, and based on our results, further research is necessary involved a bigger sample and higher classes.