Online Conference on
Learning and Teaching with Technology
in Art Design and Communication
DeL Online 2009: Presenters
Stephen Hopkins & Keith Bailey
O.A.R.S.: A methodolOgy for examining the role of music in narrative film in an online film music course
Abstract
In July 2008, the e-Learning Institute in the College of Arts and Architecture of The Pennsylvania State University partnered with the School of Music to develop a new online General Education course in Film Music.
The goal of the Film Music course is to teach students how to examine the role of music in narrative film through the reading of text lessons, accompanied by integrated streaming media. The course author developed a custom instructional methodology, O.A.R.S. (Observation, Analysis, Reflection, Synthesis), as a framework used repeatedly throughout course as students examine selected film clips. The students practice this methodology in their posts to discussion boards, and they demonstrate an understanding and application of the methodology in the end-of-term written assignment.
Problem
There were two major problems to be addressed in designing an online course on film music. The first was scope. It was determined that the course would focus on “the role of music in narrative film.” It would not be a history of film music, although in some respects the approach would be historic.
The second problem relates to the impact United States copyright law has had on the decision making process as to how films can be utilized in the course. While technological advances have made it much easier and more feasible to integrate and embed video into courses, the copyright laws protecting these works present numerous challenges.
Methodology
Considerable background knowledge is required of students before the “work” of the course can be undertaken. After an introductory lesson, there are successive lessons on music (fundamentals, music history, musical meaning), the techniques of narrative film, and the principles and functions of music in narrative film. These lessons present the knowledge essential to an examination of the role of music in narrative film. From there, the remainder of the course follows a broad historic arc in the examination of selected films.
The O.A.R.S. methodology begins by recognizing that, in the experience of watching a film, we are not conscious of many aspects of what we see and hear. The techniques of narrative film are intended, by design, not to be noticed, in the same way that much of the music in a film is intended not to be noticed. The first step, then, is to bring to consciousness the sights and sounds we receive as film viewers. This requires careful observation and repeated viewing.
Conclusion
The ability to stream film clips has provided a heretofore-unprecedented opportunity to bring immediate illustration of the course concepts directly to the students through the marriage of internet-based technology and text. Initial course design assessment and observation of student work indicate that this methodology is working very well to reach the course objectives.
The purpose of this presentation is to share our innovative new approach to the study of film music and to address the copyright challenges we faced in the design and development effort. Furthermore we will suggest that the O.A.R.S. methodology has applicability in many other areas of arts and design.
Keywords
e-learning, film music, innovation, design, copyright
Theme
Creating narrative
Presentation
View presentation (sound only: 14.33MB)
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Stephen Hopkins
Music theorist, composer, and performer, Stephen Hopkins is an Assistant Professor of Music at Penn State University. Before his arrival at Penn State, Hopkins served as Music Director at North Florida Community College for six years. He holds masters and Ph.D. degrees in music theory from Florida State University.
Stephen Hopkins, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Music,
School of Music, College of Arts and Architecture
The Pennsylvania State University
USA
Email: soh10@psu.edu
Keith Bailey
Dr. Keith D. Bailey is the Director of the College of Arts and Architecture’s e-Learning Institute at The Pennsylvania State University. As the Director he is responsible for managing the strategic direction for the College as it relates to the design, development, implementation, and evaluation of e-Learning courseware.
Keith Bailey, Ph.D.
Director, e-Learning Institute,
College of Arts and Architecture
The Pennsylvania State University
USA
Email: kdb163@psu.edu
