This research concerns the design of a multiple-media study package for sight-singing and how national standards for sight-singing can be realised by using this study package. Sight-singing is a skill which can be of great value for singers, choristers and other musicians. Unfortunately this skill has been sadly neglected in South African schools. The result is that a great percentage of society (and in particular, choristers) is not able to read music and then sing it. The researchers is responsible for sight-singing tuition at the Drakensberg Boys’ Choir School, which is the only choir school in South Africa. The ages of new choristers vary from 9 to 13 years and there is a considerable variation in their music backgrounds. It is therefore essential that every learner can work at his own pace to master sight-singing. The author did research on this subject to compile a sight-singing programme which will enable learners to reach a high standard of sight-singing while progressing at their own pace. By making a study of relevant literature, the author gathered information on sight-singing, reading, communication, educational media as well as Outcomes-Based Education and instructional design. The author formulated criteria for a sight-singing programme and for the use of educational media in such a programme. These criteria are used to evaluate seven different sight-singing programmes. The evaluation indicated to the researcher how other authors approached the subject. He identified the strong and weak points of every programme. The researcher designed a multiple-media study package for sight-singing according to Dick and Carey’s systems approach model for designing instruction (1996). The study package consists of a workbook, a textbook and two audio CDs. The author did action research by using the study package to teach sight-singing to the new choristers at the Drakensberg Boys’ Choir School. Various problems in the study package became clear while using it for teaching. The study package was amended a number of times to eliminate the shortcomings. This research indicates that sight-singing is not only possible when a competent teacher is present. Students can learn sight-singing independently by using a multiple-media programme. / Thesis (DMus)--University of Pretoria, 2005. / Music / unrestricted

This research project reports on an empirical study on the suitability and feasibility of audio cassette lectures in solving the study problems of adult distance education students. Having reviewed relevant literature on the subject the researcher collected data through: (a) Empirical investigation by contituting a two-group (experimental/control) design. (b) Questionnaires to find out opinions of students on audio cassettes. The study reveals that there is a significnt difference between the academic achievement of students who study via audio cassette lectures in addition to textbooks and face-to-face lectures and those who study through textbooks and face-to-face lectures only. The study therefore validates audio cassette lectures in an integrated study package. Other outcomes of the study are: (a) Suggestions to l.E.M.S. authorities to introduce audio cassette lectures on l.E.M.S. part-time courses. (b) Suggestions to course organisers at 1.E.M.S. to liaise with distance education institutions to adopt their instructional strategies. / Teacher Education / M. Ed. (Didactics)

This research project reports on an empirical study on the suitability and feasibility of audio cassette lectures in solving the study problems of adult distance education students. Having reviewed relevant literature on the subject the researcher collected data through: (a) Empirical investigation by contituting a two-group (experimental/control) design. (b) Questionnaires to find out opinions of students on audio cassettes. The study reveals that there is a significnt difference between the academic achievement of students who study via audio cassette lectures in addition to textbooks and face-to-face lectures and those who study through textbooks and face-to-face lectures only. The study therefore validates audio cassette lectures in an integrated study package. Other outcomes of the study are: (a) Suggestions to l.E.M.S. authorities to introduce audio cassette lectures on l.E.M.S. part-time courses. (b) Suggestions to course organisers at 1.E.M.S. to liaise with distance education institutions to adopt their instructional strategies. / Teacher Education / M. Ed. (Didactics)