Supporting Computational Literacy by Designing a Collaborative Platform at the Intersection of Music and Code

该项目将设计和构建技术，在推进协作学习领域的同时，通过代码实现合奏音乐表演。它解决了21世纪科学技术学习面临的两个关键挑战。首先，我们如何为下一代学习者培养基础广泛的计算素养技能？其次，我们如何做到这一点，以一种包容的方式，吸引在计算领域历史上被边缘化的不同学习者？发展计算素养的挑战在科学、创意、艺术和贸易行业都很重要，因为计算正在迅速改变所有领域。因此，计算机编程等技能正成为每个人的基础。为了支持动机、学习、创造性表达和扩大参与，本研究将调查音乐（作为当代文化的一个组成部分）和计算机编程在设计一个新的协作技术平台中的交集。这个平台的灵感来自于以社区为中心的话语和参与结构，比如鼓圈、即兴表演和即兴演奏会。参与者将通过同时编写计算机代码来演奏虚拟乐器来合作在线作曲。通过与伊利诺伊州埃文斯顿的基督教青年会的密切合作，该项目将直接影响芝加哥及其周边地区以及其他地区的数千名年轻学习者，重点关注有色人种学生。该平台和学习材料（包括YouTube上的音频和视频教程）将通过一个网站免费提供，以促进广泛采用。这些相互联系有可能成为长期兴趣、学习、创造性表达的基础，并使更具代表性的、具有计算能力的人群对计算产生积极的态度。这项研究建立在音乐和计算机科学之间的概念联系上，以促进计算素养，STEM和艺术的非正式学习，以及创造性和具体化的计算方法。该项目设计和研究了一个协作音乐+编码平台，旨在让学生自由地进行创造性的修修，向同龄人学习，并开玩笑地面对文化中根深蒂固的关于谁可以并且应该成为“计算机人”的期望。该项目将调查以下主题对研究问题：(1)技术创新：我们如何设计技术，使合奏音乐表演与代码？这项技术的基础功能是什么，以促进共同定位（多个学习者在同一个物理舞台上）和分布式（多个学习者在虚拟直播中表演）音乐表演？(2)利用技术学习的新模式：我们如何最好地设计协同音乐+编码环境？这种环境对分布式协作、创造力和计算能力的支持是什么？(3)扩大参与：音乐和计算机素养的交集如何为那些在计算机职业生涯中一直被边缘化的年轻人提供长期兴趣和参与的环境？代码能否成为一种与社会和文化相关的创作和分享音乐的表达媒介？该奖项反映了美国国家科学基金会的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

This project will design and build technology that empowers ensemble musical performances with code while advancing the field of collaborative learning. It addresses two critical challenges for science and technology learning in the 21st century. First, how do we develop broad-based computational literacy skills for the next generation of learners? Second, how do we do that in a way that is inclusive—engaging diverse learners who have been historically marginalized in computational fields? The challenge of developing computational literacy is important across scientific, creative, artistic, and trade professions because computing is rapidly transforming all fields. As a result, skills such as computer programming are becoming foundational for everyone. To support motivation, learning, creative expression, and broadening participation, this research will investigate the intersection of music (as an integral component of contemporary culture) and computer programming in the design of a new collaborative technology platform. The platform takes inspiration from community-centered discourse and participation structures, such as drum circles, improvisational performance, and jam sessions. Participants will collaborate in online compositions by simultaneously writing computer code to play virtual musical instruments. Through a close partnership with the YMCA of Evanston, Illinois, the project will directly impact thousands of young learners in and around Chicago, and beyond, with a focus on students of color. The platform and learning materials (including audio and video tutorials hosted on YouTube) will be made freely available via a website to facilitate widespread adoption. These interconnections have the potential to serve as a foundation for prolonged interest, learning, creative expression, and lead to positive attitudes towards computing from a more representative, computationally empowered population.This research builds on conceptual connections between music and computer science to contribute to computational literacy, informal learning in STEM and the arts, and creative and embodied approaches to computing. The project designs and studies a collaborative music+coding platform designed to give students freedom to tinker creatively, learn from their peers, and playfully confront culturally ingrained expectations about who can and should be a "computer person". The project will investigate the following thematic pairs of research questions: (1) Technology Innovation: How can we design technology that empowers ensemble musical performances with code? What are the foundational affordances of this technology to facilitate both co-located (multiple learners on the same physical stage) and distributed (multiple learners performing on a virtual livestream) musical performances? (2) New Models for Learning with Technology: How do we best design collaborative music+coding environments? What are the affordances of such environments for distributed collaboration, creativity, and computational literacy? (3) Broadening Participation: How can the intersection of music and computational literacy provide a context for prolonged interest and engagement for young people who have been historically marginalized in computing careers? Can code become a socially and culturally relevant medium of expression for creating and sharing music?This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.