Video+Game+Critique

__Introduction__

I am a child of the 1980's and was raised playing the original Nintendo. Many of the modern video games are of no interest to me because there are so many buttons to mess with. I am very fortunate because my husband loves to play video games. In my third grade classroom I was able to connect with students that played the modern video games because of my husband. Most of the students played games for the Wii and the XBOX 360. I knew what the games were, but never played any until I played Rock band. My students raved about this game, so I figured I would give it a shot. I played and had a great time.

__Game Selected and Rationale__

The game that I chose to play was Beetles Rock Band for the XBOX 360. I chose to play this game because it is very interactive and you can play it individually or with others. This is a game that many of my third graders played at home with their parents and siblings.

__Why students would play games__

I believe that many students choose to play Beetles Rock Band because of how interactive it is. Even if you are not musical, this game allows for you to play the guitar, drums, bass, and sing. It does not matter your ability level just your ability to follow the notes or lyrics.

__Could games be used in the classroom environment__

This game can be used in the classroom. It would be very useful for discussing the history of the 1950's and 60's. As a teacher you can discuss the history of the Beetles and the rock and roll of the decade. Connecting this time period to music will allow for students to associate the time with a game they are familiar with. Once the students learn the history the class can pick a Beetle's song to discuss for poetry. Since music is poetry the students can read the lyrics and as a class or small group can discuss why the songwriters were writing about. This video game also incorporates reading in a fun way that may allow for students that have difficulty reading to connect to.

__Assessing Higher Order Thinking in Video Games__ Multitasking Critical thinking of the song lyrics Motor-skills Hand, eye, ear coordination Mathematics Integrating subjects- reading, music, history

**Game Critique Template** || //(explicit or implicit)// |||||| To demonstrate rhythm, knowledge of the song and what the meaning behind the song is. As you improve your skill level can go up. || //(explicit or implicit)// |||||| For assessing play the students can pick a song to critique and write what the meaning behind the song and then play the song as a group. As the students play the song with their group they can be assessed for the demonstration of rhythm and the knowledge of the song as a group- just like a presentation. || //(explicit or implicit)// |||||| Pick your favorite Beatle; dress him with clothes of the era, favorite instrument of the era and a location where the Beatles actually played. After you player and location is selected pick a song to sing or play and travel back to a different era. || |||||| Hand, eye, ear coordination and knowledge of an era || and experience The Beatles extraordinary catalogue of music through game play that takes players on a journey through the legacy and evolution of the band’s career (The Beatles Rock Band Fact Sheet). || || X || || || X || || || X || || || || || ||
 * // Overview // |||||| // Description // ||
 * Title |||||| Beetles Rock Band for the XBOX 360
 * Concept |||||| // The goal of the game is to complete a song with all players still playing. // ||
 * Learning Objectives
 * Assessment
 * Content
 * Values & Skills //(explicit or implicit)//
 * Game Method/Style |||||| The game will allow fans to pick up the guitar, bass, mic or drums
 * Audience |||||| Children, adults, seniors, teens, males and female
 * Platform |||||| ||
 * Publisher |||||| MTV Games ||
 * Developer |||||| Harmonix ||
 * Release Date |||||| 09/09/09 ||
 * // Design Aspects // || // High // || // Average // || // Low // ||
 * Graphics & Sound ||
 * Playability ||
 * Entertainment ||
 * Replay Value || X

The above criteria were adapted from: Rice, 2007; Oblinger, 2006, and Game Informer Magazine