“I’ve read a lot of reviews about ‘Wii Music,’ and I think
there’s a lot more depth to this program than people have initially given it
credit for,” he says.
“Wii Music” doesn’t ask players to match beats, like “Guitar
Hero” or “Rock Band.” Using the Wii Remote and Nunchuk controller, players can
experiment with more than 60 different virtual instruments ranging from bagpipes
to ukulele. They can play mini-games such as "Handbell Harmony" and "Pitch
Perfect." And they can jam or improvise as part of an ensemble.
That’s the one feature that really hooked Krofchick, who says
that younger kids can often be reluctant to improvise musically.
“Children spend a lot of their classroom time following
specific directions — what to read, what to do — and very little time … actually
expressing themselves in the arts,” she says. “Some can be shy to come forward
and actually sort of jump in and try something.
“But if anything is presented to a child in the form of a
game, it’s going to be much more student-friendly or kid-friendly,” she says.
“For some reason, there doesn’t seem to be a fear there.”
Bob Abrams on 08 Apr 11As concern mounts that U.S. students lack sufficient understanding of science and related fields, it has become increasingly clear that schools can't tackle the challenge alone. This special report explores the field often called "informal science education," which is gaining broader recognition for its role in helping young people acquire scientific knowledge and skills. Opportunities abound outside the classroom to learn about science, and to inspire a passion for it. Zoos and science museums, robotics clubs, science competitions, and online games are just a few of the options to engage American youths. Education Week reporters examine what informal science education looks like in practice, and what we know about its impact, its potential, and the challenges it faces.
