Abstract of dissertation presented to the Senate of Universiti Putra Malaysia in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy.

  
 

A LAYERED ARCHITECTURAL MODEL FOR MUSIC EDUCATION: MALAYSIAN MUSIC ON THE WORLD WIDE WEB

  
 

By

MINNI ANG KIM HUAI

January 1998

  
 
  As yet no research has been published on the subject of web architectures for music. The design and development of the two-layered web architecture for Malaysian music can be applied as a model of web architecture for music education, specifically for the introduction of the music of a particular country or region. The model is designed and developed in two phases: the building of the subject architecture, or the content development phase; and the design and development of the application architecture. However, no comprehensive classification method for Malaysian music currently exists. Furthermore, information about all the various types of music in Malaysia is not easily available.

The research methodology includes the collection of information about Malaysian music from existing data sources and through field research, undertaken to obtain information about types of music known in Malaysia, but not yet covered by existing publications. This is followed by the design and development of the web application prototype. The complete web architecture is then analyzed and tested to determine its suitability for delivery of music related content. To aid in the development of the subject architecture, a systematic classification method for Malaysian music is proposed. Data collected is organized according to the subject architecture and digitized for hypermedia presentation. System specifications, design, coding, testing and validation of the prototype application follow. The prototype is implemented on a World Wide Web server. An analysis of the prototype web architecture is carried out, including a functional analysis as well as a usability analysis.

Research findings indicate that the web architecture is reliable, efficient and suitable for its purpose, besides being well received by users. It is also easily extensible to include educational modules. The classification scheme proposed is found to provide a logical approach to the study of Malaysian music. Much previously unpublished information, especially in the area of art music, is published through the web site. In conclusion, the prototype web architecture model provides a suitable extensible platform for the delivery of Malaysian music content, which may be packaged for the purpose of music education, or adopted for the introduction of the music of any region.		    
  List of Publications arising from this work    
 
  1. Ang, M. Musical Malaysia. [Online]. Available: http://www.musicmall-asia.com/malaysia/
  2. Ang, M., Abu Talib O., Ramani, A.K., Gan, S.L. & Matusky, P. (1998). “A Layered Architecture for Music: Malaysian Music on the World Wide Web”. Organised Sound, International Journal of Music Technology. 3(2):101-15.
  3. Ang, M. (1998). Malaysian Music - A Comprehensive Discussion On The Different Types Of Music Found In The Country: Contemporary Art Music, Classical Music, Syncretic Music And Folk Music. Serdang: Conservatoire Productions. 64 pp.
  4. Ang, M., Ramani, A.K. & Abu Talib O. (1998). “A Web Architecture for an Information System for Malaysian Music on the World Wide Web.” Malaysian Journal of Library & Information Science. 3(1): 1-24.
  5. Ang, M., Ramani, A.K., Tee, E.R. & Abu Talib O. (1998). “A Distributed Collaborative Hypermedia Web Architecture For Music Education: A Model For Malaysian Music On The World Wide Web.” Journal of Information Technology. Jilid 10 Bil 1, June 1998. (Accepted for Publication).
  6. Ang, M. “Types of Music in Malaysia.” (1998). Multimedia in Education Conference, MMIE ‘98. (Multimedia dalam Pendidikan). Universiti Utara Malaysia, Sintok, Kedah. 7-8 March 1998. Proceedings pp. 31-36.
  7. Ang, M., Ramani, A.K., Tee, E.R. & Abu Talib O. (1998). “A Web Architecture For Music Education.” International Conference Technical Education in the 21st Century: Challenges and Strategies in Global Perspective. 8-10 January 1998. Bhopal, India. Proceedings pp. 494-501.
  8. Ang M., Tee, E.R., Abu Talib Othman & Abdul Azim Abdul Ghani. (1997). “An Interactive Multimedia Courseware Repository Over The Internet”. Malaysian Journal of Library & Information Science. 2(1): 1997.
  9. Ang M., Abu Talib Othman & Abdul Azim Abdul Ghani. (1997). “An Interactive Multimedia Courseware Repository Over The Internet”. INTEC ‘97: UPM Serdang, 20 May 1997. Proceedings pp. D51-54.
  10. Ang, M. (1996). “Peranan Muzik dalam membina Bangsa Malaysia.” in Papers presented at the Kongres Sejarah Malaysia II, Persatuan Sejarah Malaysia, 26-28 November 1996. Bangi: Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia.
  11. Ang, M., Abu Talib Othman, & Tee, E.R. (1996). “World Wide Web Audio: Ensuring Adequate Hardware and Software Configurations.” Malaysian Journal of Computer Science. 9(1): 1996.
  12. 12.Ang, M. & Abu Talib Othman. (1996). “Internet Based Music: A Look At Current Technologies for the Delivery of Music over the World Wide Web.” REDECS ‘96. 26-27 June 1996. UPM: Serdang. Proceedings pp. 289-293.
  13. Ang, M. (1996). “Pendidikan Muzik dan Zaman Komputer.” in Papers presented at the Seminar Pendidikan Muzik, Pusat Perkembangan Kurikulum, Kementerian Pendidikan, 9-10 Januari 1996. Kuala Lumpur: PPK.
   
 

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Relation to the Work

Paper Ref.No.
1. provides a rationale for the importance of music in nation building and shows how the development of the web application can be of significance in this respect.

[10]
2. provides an introduction to how the computer is and can be used in the field of music, and especially in music education.

[13]
3. the result of a survey of the use of audio with Internet based systems in Malaysia. This information provides suitable background information on the target audience for the web application developed during the course of this work.

[11]
4. provides a technical review of technologies used for the delivery of music over the Internet, and is a section of Chapter Two in the Dissertation.

[12]
5. appears in Chapter Three of the Dissertation, being a part of the web development methodology.

[5], [8] & [9]
6. appears in Chapter Four, as part of the Web Design.

[7]
7. the results of the music research, appears in Chapter Five, as well as the content of the web application developed.

[1],[3], [4] & [6]
8. encompasses all aspects of the work, the summary of Chapters One to Six.

[2]
   

Copyright ©2000 Minni Ang