JamMo - Developmentally designed software for children’s mobile music-making

Abstract

Mobile learning is one of the most recent branches in educational research. In contrast to traditional classroom learning, mobile learning extends outside the classroom, allowing mobility and flexible interaction between formal and informal learning. Up to this date, only few music based mobile applications have been developed for educational purposes and especially for young children. In the present study, software JamMo will be designed for Nokia N810 Internet tablet. JamMo aims at child-centred, intelligent musical engineering and pedagogical design of stand-alone, ad hoc and networked creative music making. It is targeted to 3–12-year-old children including those with moderate learning difficulties, such as attention deficit disorders, and those who are newly immigrated. This paper describes the developmental and pedagogical framework of the design and, the features and functions of the stand-alone sequencer software. The requirements for cognitive development and learning are described. The design encompasses software features and functions, structured learning materials, decision-making structures, support of attention, feedback, game features supporting motivation and, musical materials. The end product will be an accessible mobile learning device to be used in classroom and informal creative music learning, and tested with user groups mentioned to promote social inclusion of children.