Belief Exploration in a Multiple-Media Open Learner Model for Basic Harmony

This paper focuses on whether learners of basic music theory may find a multiple-media independent open learner model useful to explore their knowledge of harmony concepts. Learners were given the option to explore example beliefs held in their learner model as music notation, audio or text, and shown how their beliefs compared to those of an expert. Results suggest users are both willing and make use of the open learner model, and show individual preferences for media format in which to view their beliefs. Participants mostly explored incorrect knowledge even though more correct knowledge was present in the model, and made greater use of the views specific to the music domain (music notation, audio) when their model showed “incorrect knowledge”. Results indicate the potential to include multi-media information in open learner models in appropriate domains.