First Prototype

2008-03-26T08:05:00.000-07:00

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

Midterm Presentation

2008-03-05T14:14:00.000-08:00

Click to Download PPS

Thesis Design Revised

2008-02-27T15:10:00.000-08:00

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

Download PPT

Thesis concept

2008-02-13T13:05:00.000-08:00

Thesis Concept Paper

Week 3 -- Thesis Abstract, Bacjkground Context and Schedule

2008-02-06T11:23:00.000-08:00

Please follow the links to access the following:

Thesis Abstract

Background Context

Schedule

Week 2 -- Things that inspire

2008-01-28T06:15:00.000-08:00

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