Nintendo is working with MENC: The National Association of Music Education to incorporate Wii Music into music curricula. http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/newsArt.cfm?artid=17528 The goal of most videogames is abundantly clear: to be fun for those playing them. But Nintendo has lately been trying to redefine what videogames can achieve. In fact, the game maker is casting its recent Wii Music, which lets players virtually jam with over 60 instruments and a selection of musical based activities, as not just a fun gaming experience, but also a valuable tool for music education.
To that end, Nintendo is collaborating with institutions like MENC: The National Association of Music Education, as well as the Blue Bear School of Music in San Francisco and the Opus 118 Harlem School of Music organization in New York. They'll be working to find ways to integrate Wii Music into the music curriculum across the country. And if the feedback from Doby's Mill Elementary School is any indication, they may be onto something.
"Wii Music has brought a renewed excitement to music class for students from first grade to fifth, myself and even some of the classroom teachers," testified Helen Krofchick, a music teacher at the Lugoff, S.C. school. "We have a school very supportive of the arts and Wii Music has empowered our program even more," she added, "Any system that is educational and can add a love of music to children's lives should be in every classroom."
However, response from the traditional gamer community has been mixed over the value of Wii Music's free-flowing and anyone-can-play design. Nintendo World Reports' own review of the title called it "far from perfect," questioning the game's sound quality, limited song selection, and viability for consumers who would rather play alone.
But Joe Lamond, President and CEO of the National Association of Music Merchants, believes that the core values behind Wii Music are worthwhile. "The joy of playing music is something that should be experienced by everyone, regardless of age, talent-level or experience," he stated. "Research shows that more than 82 percent of people who don't currently play a musical instrument wish they did," Lamond pointed out, expressing his belief that "Wii Music can help address this by providing a positive introduction for millions of people who might not otherwise be inclined to try."
Nintendo, with its successful Wii and DS consoles, has already stated their goals of broadening the market demographic beyond the gamer stereotype and capturing new consumers. Perhaps it's Lamond's "millions of people who might not otherwise be inclined to try" who will ultimately be their harshest critics.
NINTENDO'S WII MUSIC STRIKES A CHORD WITH MUSIC EDUCATORS
New Partnerships Bring Fun Music Software to Classrooms Nationwide
REDMOND, Wash., Jan. 13, 2009 – Nintendo's new Wii Music™ game is spreading from the family room to the classroom, thanks to newly formed collaborations with select schools and educators. To help inspire students and promote an active appreciation for music, Nintendo is working with teachers to incorporate Wii™ consoles and Wii Music software into their lesson plans to offer teachers a unique tool for creativity and improvisation.
Nintendo's collaborators in this effort include MENC: The National Association for Music Education, which is recognized as the world's largest arts education organization and as a teaching resource for all levels from preschool to graduate school. MENC will help teachers in 51 cities across the nation integrate Wii Music into their curricula, making use of the game's 60-plus instruments and fun array of tutorial exercises in rhythm, tempo and song structure.
"The goal of Wii Music is to inspire people of all ages to enjoy music," said Cammie Dunaway, Nintendo of America's executive vice president of Sales & Marketing. "By partnering with educators and bringing Wii Music into their classrooms, we hope to give students a memorable, hands-on experience that helps them discover their own creative voice."
The Wii console's motion-sensing controls allow Wii Music users at any experience level to step up and jam, whether playing solo or as part of a group. Using the wireless Wii Remote™ and Nunchuk™ controllers, players make simple, intuitive movements to strum a guitar, play a trumpet or bang a drum.
"At any grade level, it's essential to provide students with the tools and encouragement they need to be creative," said John J. Mahlmann, executive director of MENC. "We look forward to collaborating with Nintendo to drive awareness and advocacy for music education through Wii Music."
Some teachers already have begun to incorporate Wii Music into their lesson plans.
"Wii Music has brought a renewed excitement to music class for students from first grade to fifth, myself and even some of the classroom teachers," said Helen A. Krofchick, a music teacher at Doby's Mill Elementary School in Lugoff, S.C. "I love how many music standards can be covered in such a short time. Students also have to use language skills, spatial awareness and hand-eye coordination. We have a school very supportive of the arts and Wii Music has empowered our program even more. Any system that is educational and can add a love of music to children's lives should be in every classroom."
Other collaborating and partner organizations currently include San Francisco's Blue Bear School of Music and New York's Opus 118 Harlem School of Music. Teachers in these programs will use Wii Music to build students' familiarity with technology while bolstering their ability to create and improvise. Experts in the field of music say getting kids interested in music at an early age can help build a lifelong appreciation.
"The joy of playing music is something that should be experienced by everyone, regardless of age, talent-level or experience," said Joe Lamond, President & CEO of NAMM, the National Association of Music Merchants. "Research shows that more than 82 percent of people who don't currently play a musical instrument wish they did. Wii Music can help address this by providing a positive introduction for millions of people who might not otherwise be inclined to try."
Topic: Wii Music Coming to a Classroom Near You (Read 9411 times)
