The Manhattan Project: Trinity Test

This survey is part of research being conducted into digital tools for supporting learning in both programming and music, specifically the Manhattan music programming environment. The results will be used to assess your experience of the tool, and your initial impressions of the user experience, and presentation of programming and composition concepts.

NOTE: The study uses a pre-release version of the software, so please try to look past any minor issues (bugs) in behaviour that will be fixed in a public release - focus on the overall user experience.

Download Manhattan

Mac OS X (10.6 or higher)
Download and extract the archive, then double click "reViSiT.app" to run the program. 		Windows 64-bit (Windows 7 or higher)
Download and extract the archive, then double click "Setup.msi" to install the program.

After completing the tutorials within the program, answer the questionnaire below. The survey should take no more than 5 minutes to complete, and consists of series of short questions.

All data is collected anonymously. Your answers will not be used to personally identify you. Findings will only be shared or published as a collective summary of all responses. You are free to leave the survey at any stage. For further information about the research, please email chris.nash@uwe.ac.uk.

1. In your own words, briefly describe your background (e.g. job title/role, affiliation/organisation)?


 

2. What music experience do you have?
(Tick all that apply.)

I play piano.
I play another acoustic instrument.
I play several musical instruments.
I listen to a lot of music.
I can read music.
I've had music lessons.
I've studied music theory (scales, etc.)
I perform live.
I compose music/songs/tunes.
I am a professional performer.
I am a professional composer/songwriter.

3. On a scale of 1 to 5, please indicate your approximate level of knowledge with the following musical activities:

NoneSomeLots
 Reading written music.
 Analysing music by ear.
 Performing music in private.
 Performing music in public.
 Improvising music (live).
 Composing music.
 Composing music using a computer.
 Writing melodies.
 Writing harmonies (e.g. chord progressions).
 Writing rhythms (including drum programming).
 Notating music.
 Notating music using a computer.

4. Based on your interactions with the software, please indicate how well the following statements agree with your experience with Manhattan. If you wish to add to your answers, or describe specific experiences, please use the Comments box below.

Strongly
Disagree
Disagree
(neither)
Agree		Strongly
Agree
 I was easily able to relate activities to specific programming concepts.
 I was able to draw parallels between musical and programming concepts.
 Formulas provide an accessible introduction to programming.
 The software encourages a new approach to music composition.
 Formulas are useful for editing music.
 Formulas are useful for generative/algorithmic music.
 The tutorials provided an accessible path to learning key concepts.
 I was able to quickly put together new ideas using music and code.
 I enjoyed exploring music theory concepts through programming.
 I found it difficult to extract patterns from music and translate them to code.
 I found the composition process too abstract.
 The methods encouraged me to think differently about music.
 I enjoyed the challenge of trying to encapsulate music in code.
 Formulas support both simple use and more complex programming.
 It was easy to get started and grasp the basics.
 With time, I feel I could master the programming environment.
 I can imagine further musical uses for formulas using the software.
 I enjoyed using the software.

5. User Experience.

Use the boxes below to comment on general aspects of the user experience. Be as detailed and honest as you like.

Strengths / Positive Experiences:

Weaknesses / Problems / Areas for improvement:

Other observations / comments:

6. Submit your answers.

To submit your answers, please use the button below. Please also feel free to comment on any aspect of the experiment, or provide more information about your creative or composition process (learning experiences, techniques you use, or specific challenges or problems you face).

General Comments:

(Optional)

It may help the research to be able to follow up your answers, and further discuss your thoughts on music and programming. If you are willing to talk more about your perspectives on these concepts, please provide your email address below:

Email Address:  (Optional)

I am interested in future research and releases of the technology.