Discovering the Pedagogy and Secrets of Gamification and Game-Based Learning Applied to the Music Theory Classroom

This research project aims to establish the credibility of gamification and game-based learning (GBL) in higher education and online education, specifically for applying digital game-based learning (DGBL) to the twenty-first-century music theory classroom. This research project aims to address the current Education Engagement Crisis, the historical need of engaging students, and adapting the music curriculum to the current technological age. This research project will propose an original digital game concept and framework for teaching music theory core skills and other areas of music-related study in higher education as its contribution to the field and research of music education and digital game-based learning. The proposed game, the Universe of Music Theory: Music Masters (UoMT), will be an immersive, engaging, fun, and interactive, online learning-centered game created for the music theory core curricula and designed to address the preferred learning methods of digital natives. This framework may work alongside any music-core program or course as a MIDI lab activity, course-facilitated, or independent supplemental teaching and learning tool. The UoMT will facilitate unique opportunities to teach, reinforce, and assess music theory concepts in a praxial manner that will enable students to practice music-core skills (Music Theory, Keyboard Skills, and Aural Skills) and explore interconnected music-related disciplines (music academia, natural and scientific sound and music phenomena, and psychology of music). What the student learns in class will increase their in-game efficiency and what the student reviews in the game will increase their in-class efficiency

Making Music Theory Fun

This curriculum project will attempt to demonstrate how having fun can facilitate learning music theory. Furthermore, in this project, I also propose that using games, songs, mnemonic devices, and other types of wordplay and edutainment (the marriage of education and entertainment) can combat summer learning loss and other learning gaps or school breaks, in addition to inspiring the motivation, interest, and desire within students to learn. My curriculum project will also claim that by having fun and enjoying their learning, students will be more likely to improve and develop their musicianship skills. Within this curriculum project, I will attempt to find and develop music theory-inspired games, songs, and mnemonic devices based on my 12 years of music education and experience. I will also investigate current methods of learning music theory and be attempting to make a game based on these methods. Also, due to the popularity of mobile phone applications, I will attempt to find mobile music theory applications that are already developed in order to help reinforce the concepts of music theory. The aim of this curriculum project is to make learning music theory fun. By making learning fun, students will be motivated to participate in planned activities and games outside of the classroom, either with friends or on their own