Live coding blends and embraces diverse creativities involved in composing, improvising, and performing simultaneously - introducing a driving force of change in digital music learning pathways.
- Pam Burnard
A new model of creative education could revolutionise the teaching of both music and computing in and out of the classroom, fostering new ‘learning pathways’ that inspire the digital skills and willingness to experiment needed for creative industries, according to research by Cambridge University’s Faculty of Education.
The Sonic Pi: Live & Coding (SPL&C) project sought to develop a model for arts led partnerships that could transform music education by exploring the creative potential of live coding to provide new pathways for young people into digital music.
Developed within the University of Cambridge’s Computer Laboratory, Sonic Pi is free software which enables the transformation of the ultra-cheap credit card sized Raspberry Pi computer - produced to encourage people to learn programming - into a fully customisable musical instrument through the power of code.
The software is at the heart of a new educational approach, highlighted during Sonic Pi: Live & Coding project trials in two secondary schools in Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire, as well as a week long summer school for 10-14 year olds in collaboration with SPL&C partner and cultural venue Cambridge Junction. Lessons were a mixture of music and ICT, with a focus on imagination, performance and independent exploration.
Researchers say that using basic coding to compose and improvise digital music encourages and rewards risk-taking, as well as building confidence and vital digital proficiency. Users are also able to ‘live code’ – performing live in front of an audience.
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Image: Kids taking part in the Somic Pi summer school, plus screenshot of code.
Credit: Claire Haigh/Junction
Reproduced courtesy of the University of Cambridge
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