The courseware package includes specific applications dealing with particular aspects of aural, and a customisable shell for the creation of critical listening exercises. The software can be integrated into courses using suggestions from the lecturer handbook, in combination with practical ideas for independent study contained on the student worksheets.

The customisable software - the Calma Editor and Player - allows the creation and use of listening exercises that link text to specific time points on any CD. Uses include the creation of listening guides, commentaries, and listening exercises prompting detailed and directed aural analysis. Students can read about or be asked questions on any piece of music, then hear it at the touch of a button. Student response would be on paper or on the computer as appropriate, with feedback either provided by the lecturer as part of the exercise, by peers during private study, or in class and tutorials. The software could also be used to create dictation exercises and stylistic recognition tests, utilising the flexible access to the CD and its ability to import graphics.

Lecturers can use the exercises provided on the starter CD (containing copyright cleared audio from Hyperion, Naxos and EMI) in their courses, modify them slightly, or make their own exercises with the simple editor (which only requires a very basic level of IT literacy). All music is available (classical, electroacoustic, pop, jazz, world music etc.), providing the author and the student have access to the same audio CD, typically using a copy owned by the institution's library. Exercises could then be sent to the Calma database for access via the website, allowing other lecturers around the world with the Calma software to share the material and add to this growing resource. The software also has applications in other subject areas, where primary audio and video sources can be accessed using the same process. In this case, a CD might contain a radio play, a political or historical speech, an interview, or even a recording of a lecture, which can be used as the basis for an exercise.

Using the Calma Editor and Player

Specific Calma Exercises

• Pentium PC running Windows 3.1/95/98/NT
• CD drive with headphones/speakers
• 16 MB RAM
• 16 bit colour and 800x600 screen resolution
• Recommended: soundcard with general MIDI