First Prototype

Please click here for first prototype.
It does not take any user input yet, nor does it play music.

Midterm Presentation

Click to Download PPS

Thesis Design Revised

This has a few possible designs, trying to resolve the "Where to place musical notation" dilemma.

Download PPT

Thesis Design

Click here for design Powerpoint Presentation

Thesis concept

Thesis Concept Paper

Week 3 -- Thesis Abstract, Bacjkground Context and Schedule

Please follow the links to access the following:

Thesis Abstract

Background Context

Schedule

Week 2 -- Things that inspire

My thesis will focus on learning a skill through playing a game. We all play games and enjoy them thoroughly. Some of us may spend more time playing games -- video games in particular -- more than doing other activities. If this time and energy could somehow be channeled towards doing something productive -- such as learning a new useful skill, or perfecting an old one -- there's no limit on what a person could achieve. Unfortunately we all know that learning is boring and playing is fun, so I will try to fine a way to successfully combine the two. I will draw on my previous experience as a classically trained pianist, my occasional indulgence in video games, and my modest Flash skills to create a game-like experience, that will actually teach you to play piano and to learn to read music.

1. Someone else's project that inspired me

• Can't deny the power of Guitar Hero -- even though it provides no guitar-learning value, it is undeniably fun and a phenomenon in it's own right
• DS's Brain Age and Big Brain Academy -- exercises your brain through mini-puzzles
  
• Online note teacher --although not really a game

2. My own project

• This is the crowning achievement of my 'Systems of Play' class -- co-authored with Arly Ross: Matching Game
  

3. Reading Research

• Wall Street Journal article on how DS revolutionized learning and how it is now used in classroom in Japan as a learning tool: Wall Street Journal: Beyond Pokemon