http://collective.musiced.net/2007/11/13/guitar-hero/
Above is a link to a blog post written by Jenh on "A Music Education Blog Collective." It brings-up the debate as to rather or not Guitar Hero could actually be used in the music classroom. In reference to her last question, I do not believe that playing Guitar Hero could actually count as playing a musical instrument. I've never played the game but my brother stated that it represents "all the vanity of playing guitar without requiring any of the skill." However, I did watch a presentation in the graduate research seminar last semester by a student who observed rather or not students' scores on rhythm tests increased after playing Guitar Hero. Her results concluded that the game could help students learn rhythmic concepts. I believe that there could be benefits of using Guitar Hero in the classroom but only after several modifications have been made. Obviously, the content of the music playing will need to be monitored as some songs may not be school appropriate. Teachers would need to decide exactly what they are planning on teaching through the game and what check points students will need to reach in order to meet those outcomes. Students will also have to see the game as a way of participating in music as opposed to simply becoming a famous rock musician.
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Well, I will say that I'd rather have students playing games like Guitar Hero at home than some others in terms of musical connections. I do believe, however, that it is mainly for entertainment purposes. I haven't played the game since the first version. I can see the argument for it teaching people how to maintain a steady beat. It does introduce a variety of rhythms (abstractly), which certainly isn't a bad thing. I'm not sure it needs to be played in a classroom, especially since it's played at home enough. However, drawing students' attention to the musical lessons hidden in the game may be useful. It also may be worthwhile to have a discussion about how it is different from actually playing a guitar.
ReplyDeleteGuitar Hero does teach another very important skill for musicians: the ability to quickly process patterns of information. When playing an instrument or Guitar Hero quickly, it's impossible to read every note, so break it into patterns. I always found that my sight reading was better when I had been consistently playing Guitar Hero than when I hadn't, very possibly due to training myself to read patterns.
ReplyDeleteI know I have commented on this numerous times, but Guitar Hero and Rock Band should stay out of the school system.
ReplyDeleteI know that it teaches rhythm and timing, but so do many other games, and these games are not detrimental to technique or musicality.
Playing "Through the Fire and Flames" is more impressive on a real guitar. You should learn how to actually play guitar, since it will get you farther musically than any game will.
Although the Guitar Hero has some benefits, it does not do enough for me to allow it my classroom.
Guitar Hero and Rock Band, while fun and entertaining, do not incorporate legitimate instruments and should not be part of a school's curriculum. Having said this, I do not deny that the said programs may help students develop motor skills, eye-hand coordination, and become more intelligent, but couldn't you say the same thing about "Super Mario Brothers," or "Dance Dance Revolution?"
ReplyDeleteI agree with Rick on this. Guitar Hero and Rock Band, in my opinion, make little progress in a student's music eduction. When one looks at it closely, it becomes somewhat clear that, aside from keeping time, very little musical judgment is required of the performer in those simulations. It does as much for teaching music as Need For Speed teaches one about driving.
ReplyDeleteDamon,
ReplyDeleteI think that you bring up an interesting topic when you mention Guitar Hero and the classroom. Like you stated, I do not know that it would necessarily be something that a music teacher would want to include in his/her music curriculum, although it may have some benefits, such as learning and developing rhythmic concepts. Despite the benefits the game may have, as you said, it does not require the skill that is necessary to play a real guitar or another instrument, and there can be other better approaches to achieve the same goal. Therefore, I do not think that it should be something that should be incorporated into the music curriculum. However, with some of the benefits that you mentioned, maybe a game like Guitar Hero could be used as a motivational tool or reward. Possibly after a concert, or completing certain tasks, the game could be used to provide students with a reward. I have given students listening day rewards or occasionally food. Students most likely enjoy the game, and this may be another way to reward students. While doing so, a teacher may then be able to continue to reinforce steady beat and rhythmic concepts, as well as expose students to rock music.
I am aware of some teachers who use after-school video games as a reward for their students. Maybe this could be way to observe students in a way that would not be linked to curriculum.
ReplyDelete