Melodic and Harmonic Dictation Game Brainstorm

EdTech-a-thon Problems (2026) Melodic and Harmonic Dictation Game
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:cloud_with_lightning_and_rain: Solution Brainstorm
The purpose of this document is to help an EdTech-a-thon developer and educator start their collaboration. Specifically, by the end of the conversation…

  • The developer should understand the problem the educator is facing
  • Both the educator & developer should articulate multiple ways this problem could be solved
  • Collaboratively define the simplest solution possible to the problem (KEEP IT SUPER SIMPLE)

1. Understanding the problem

Problem statement
As a ____ [role: teacher / tutor / admin], I’m trying to ____ [goal], but ____ [what gets in the way]. This happens ____ [how often / when], and it affects ____ [students, me, families]. Right now I work around it by ____ [current workaround], which means I have to ____ [what is the consequence?].

Follow up questions

  1. Can you give an example of when the last time this problem arose happened?
  2. What have you already tried?
  3. What didn’t work about those options?
  4. Who exactly are we helping? (e.g. are you saving time?, are students learning in new ways?, or are you helping other teachers/staff organize?)

Solution brainstorming

List two possible ways to solve this problem without digital technology

  1. One way
  2. Two way

List two possible ways to solve this problem with only one tool already available to you (powerpoint, google spreadsheets, canva, etc…)

  1. One way
  2. Two way

*List two possible ways to solve this problem with fully custom technology (e.g. an app, or a website)

  1. One way
  2. Two way

Defining the Minimum Viable Product (MVP)

  1. For each of the solution brainstorming tiers above, what do you gain or lose between each tier? (for example, without an website, I couldn’t automatically track progress)
  2. What’s the least we could build that you’d genuinely use in your classroom?
  3. What can we leave out of that first try to get it to you sooner?

Implementation Plan

[one line summary]

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Problem statement
As a music teacher, I’m trying to help students work on their ear training (aural skills), but most programs/app don’t have a way to do this. This makes developing these skills difficult, and it affects music students, especially those preparing for college. Right now I work around it by doing class examples and using some online resources, which means I have to be present with the students for most of the instruction. It’s very difficult for them to practice at home.

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Solution brainstorming

List two possible ways to solve this problem without digital technology

One way - classroom instruction, live playing of audio examples

Two way - sending pre-recorded examples home with students

List two possible ways to solve this problem with only one tool already available to you (powerpoint, google spreadsheets, canva, etc…)

One way - Musictheory.net - works ear training but not dictation

Two way - YouTube.com - examples of dictation, but not customizable

*List two possible ways to solve this problem with fully custom technology (e.g. an app, or a website)

One way - fully custom app/web app that provides dictation examples based on difficulty

Two way - Library of audio examples and written prompts that students can sort by difficulty

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Defining the Minimum Viable Product (MVP)
For each of the solution brainstorming tiers above, what do you gain or lose between each tier? (for example, without an website, I couldn’t automatically track progress)
What’s the least we could build that you’d genuinely use in your classroom? - Creating a digital library of examples and an interface
What can we leave out of that first try to get it to you sooner? - We could leave out the library and just create an interface that allows teachers (app admin) to upload audio files and assignment keys.