The master's thesis is intended for teachers of engineering and technology, science and physics in primary and secondary education. It is also intended for physics and engineering students to plan technical and science days, or to plan different lessons with the support of information and communication technologies.
The theoretical part of the master's thesis is an overview of signal processing using Fourier analysis, sampling and the operation and application of the discrete and fast Fourier Transform algorithms. Errors that occur in measurements and ways to eliminate or reduce them are also briefly described. An overview of classification of musical instruments, as well as their properties, is also described, with an emphasis on the physical background of guitar sounds and percussion such as xylophones or bells. The master's thesis also includes an overview of the curricula of natural science subjects in primary and secondary education, with an emphasis on the contents of sound and oscillations and waves. There is also a table of mobile applications suitable for use in the classroom, and a comparison between them.
The empirical part describes the process of designing and making a model of a guitar and bells. Typical results of measurements and comparisons of them are given. Factors that are supposed to affect the sound of both instruments and how these differences show up in the frequency spectrum were compared. The obtained results were also compared with the frequency spectra of acoustic and classical guitars and bells from Orff instruments.
Included with the master's thesis is a lesson plan for preparing a science/engineering day in school. Teachers can work with students to make models of musical instruments at an affordable price, and easily measure their acoustic properties with mobile phones.
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