Assessing the Effectiveness of Notebar, ConductorBot, and Sub-ConductorBot Methods in Training Novice Angklung Players

This study explores the effectiveness of three distinct angklung training methods: Notebar (NB), ConductorBot (CB), and ConductorBot with Sub-Conductor (SC), specifically targeted towards novice angklung players. The objective was to assess the impact of each method on participant performance, as measured by the difference between Pre-test and Post-test scores. The study’s aims are threefold: (1) to determine the most effective method for enhancing novice players’ skills, (2) to assess whether these methods can provide a sufficient alternative to human conductors during practice, and (3) to explore the potential of these tools in both home and school practice environments. Through Pre-test and Post-test performance comparisons, effect size analysis using Cohen’s d indicated medium impacts across all methods, with SC demonstrating the highest effect size (0.645), followed by NB (0.622) and CB (0.606). The Kruskal-Wallis test, however, revealed no statistically significant differences between the methods, suggesting that all three are similarly effective in improving performance. Participant feedback highlighted areas for improvement in usability, timing synchronization, and fluidity of movement, which are crucial for novice players as they develop foundational skills. These insights informed recommendations for future work, including the refinement of method usability, the enhancement of robotic movement fluidity, adjustments to timing for better synchronization, and the exploration of hybrid methods. This study underscores the importance of both overall method effectiveness and the need for personalized approaches to optimize learning outcomes, particularly for novice angklung players.