Teaching Interactive Music Systems: a Research‑Oriented, Project‑Based Graduate Course in a Multidisciplinary Master’s Program

Stefano Fasciani

Proceedings of the International Conference on New Interfaces for Musical Expression

Abstract

This paper presents a project-based, research-oriented graduate course in Interactive Music Systems delivered to a multidisciplinary cohort at the University of Oslo, grounded in a strong NIME perspective and constructive alignment among intended learning outcomes, teaching and learning activities, and assessment tasks. A flipped-classroom model and a Bela + Pure Data toolchain scaffold eleven workshops, progressing from foundational electronics and mapping to a standalone, performable digital musical instrument prototype showcased in a final course concert. Portfolio-based assessment combines open documentation with a short NIME-style academic paper. Analysis of student data and feedback from 2022 to 2024 indicates high engagement and strong outcomes, successful research integration, several projects accepted in the NIME paper track, and robust deliverables. Student feedback highlights hands-on strengths and high satisfaction, while persistent challenges remain around fabrication and time constraints, which in turn inform actionable guidance for NIME pedagogy.

Citation

Stefano Fasciani. 2026. Teaching Interactive Music Systems: a Research‑Oriented, Project‑Based Graduate Course in a Multidisciplinary Master’s Program. Proceedings of the International Conference on New Interfaces for Musical Expression. DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.20784254 [PDF]

BibTeX Entry

@inproceedings{nime2026_84,
 abstract = {This paper presents a project-based, research-oriented graduate course in Interactive Music Systems delivered to a multidisciplinary cohort at the University of Oslo, grounded in a strong NIME perspective and constructive alignment among intended learning outcomes, teaching and learning activities, and assessment tasks. A flipped-classroom model and a Bela + Pure Data toolchain scaffold eleven workshops, progressing from foundational electronics and mapping to a standalone, performable digital musical instrument prototype showcased in a final course concert. Portfolio-based assessment combines open documentation with a short NIME-style academic paper. Analysis of student data and feedback from 2022 to 2024 indicates high engagement and strong outcomes, successful research integration, several projects accepted in the NIME paper track, and robust deliverables. Student feedback highlights hands-on strengths and high satisfaction, while persistent challenges remain around fabrication and time constraints, which in turn inform actionable guidance for NIME pedagogy.},
 address = {London, United Kingdom},
 articleno = {84},
 author = {Stefano Fasciani},
 booktitle = {Proceedings of the International Conference on New Interfaces for Musical Expression},
 doi = {10.5281/zenodo.20784254},
 editor = {Benedict Gaster and João Tragtenberg and Anna Xambó and Tom Mitchell},
 issn = {2220-4806},
 month = {June},
 note = {},
 numpages = {13},
 pages = {709--721},
 presentation-video = {https://youtu.be/nScFkv2lLtI},
 title = {Teaching Interactive Music Systems: a Research‑Oriented, Project‑Based Graduate Course in a Multidisciplinary Master’s Program},
 track = {Paper},
 url = {http://nime.org/proceedings/2026/nime2026_84.pdf},
 year = {2026}
}