Wii Music being used as educational tool in US schools

14 January 2009 17:26 GMT / By Verity Burns

Schools in America are using Nintendo's Wii Music in the classroom to help inspire students and promote an "active appreciation for music".

Nintendo and its collaborators are working with teachers in 51 American cities to integrate Wii Music into the curriculum, making use of the game's 60-plus instruments and 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".

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 Krofchick, a music teacher in South Carolina.

Research in the States has shown that 82% of people who don't play a musical instrument, wish that they could, and it is thought that Wii Music can help provide a "positive introduction" for people who wouldn't perhaps otherwise try.

The improvisation aspect of Wii Music is also something that teachers find important, and it apparently teaches children to be creative and explore music on a deeper level.

Let's hope children don't grow up thinking they can play the flute because they can do it on a Wii though, eh?

Full tags

Gaming, Nintendo Wii, Music games, Nintendo, Nintendo DS, PSP, Game sales, Microsoft, Sony, PS2