A computing course for non-majors, where the students explored sound art--art for which sound is the principle medium--is described in this article. Note that sound art is distinct from music (although there may be some overlap), a distinction that the authors carefully mention.

The course as described mixes both software and hardware, for example, Arduino and programming for it. The list of student projects is impressive, and the article contains plenty of photographs of students and of hardware, as well as examples of code. The aim of the course is to introduce students to modern computing and computer engineering, and to enlarge student knowledge of technology and their confidence in working with it. The authors seem to have achieved their aims. They don’t shy away from describing failures as well as successes: for example, toy hacking, where some students weren’t able to hack the toys in the way the course required, which led to “some frustration and disappointment.” The authors thus demonstrate a truly reflective practice, and continue to amend the course to make it more attractive. The successes include very positive student feedback.

It’s a pity that this course is only available to non-CS majors, as I’m sure any student, even from engineering or CS, would gain value from it. The article demonstrates excellent pedagogy, in addition to describing really innovative practice. I think students may consider themselves lucky to have access to this course, especially as taught by such committed educators.