Helping
students from different academic backgrounds understand something as complex
as an operatic or orchestral performance is a challenge for many music
professors.
Since 1986, Larry Peterson,
music, has used computer technology to help his students see, hear,
learn and understand these complex works. “I have used technology
to help music majors, non-majors as well as distance learners,”
Peterson said.
In two classes, Peterson
uses three multimedia lessons to teach different sets of musical concepts
while the students study opera. By highlighting parts of 
the
score during a performance, adding text pointers and historical images,
Peterson is able to communicate abstract information to his students
with remarkable efficiency.
“I can teach in much
greater depth, even to non-majors." Student response has been overwhelmingly
positive, too. “The visual component helps the students ‘see’
the concepts and increases their interest. And, that increased interest
further enhances students’ ability to understand the material,”
he said.
Larry Peterson