MiDisaurus

=MiDisaurus=

Citation and General Information

 * Published by Town4Kids [|www.town4kids.com]
 * © 1998 and 2001
 * Cross Platform (Mac and Wintel)
 * MiDi Keyboard optional, but supports the content
 * Age level: 4-11 as stated by the company
 * Type of Class: General Music and early piano lessons (mostly piano lessons)

Teacher Support

 * Provided online for those that register

Instructional Content

 * Piano skills:
 * Hand Recognition
 * Hand Positions
 * I-IV-V7-I patterns, as well as Augmented and diminished chords
 * Scale Patterns
 * General Music skills:
 * Instrument recognition
 * Music reading
 * Rhythm reading
 * Time Signatures
 * Musical Structure
 * Music History
 * Singing and Playing songs
 * Composing Music
 * Basic Ear Training (high/low, intervals, etc.)

National Standards that could be addressed are:
 * 1. Singing, alone and with others, a varied repertoire of music
 * 2. Performing on instruments, alone and with others, a varied repertoire of music
 * 4. Composing and arranging music within specified guidelines
 * 5. Reading and notating music
 * 6. Listening to, analyzing, and describing music
 * 9. Understanding music in relation to history and culture

Instructional and Pedagogical Soundness
MiDisaurus is a program that is divided into eight different volumes on eight different discs. Each volume continues where the last one left off, and the sequence is very well thought out. The graphics are pleasing to young users. The student is led through the sequence by a small orange cartoon dinosaur (MiDisaurus), and the rest of the graphics are similarly cartoony. The songs are also appropriate, as they are simple and they have catchy lyrics that fit the instruction. In addition, the controls for moving through the program are simple and intuitive, and the student can lead himself throughout the program at his own pace. The program is mostly game-based, with an emphasis on discovery as opposed to drill and practice.

Sequence of materials–excellent Pace of instruction–excellent Quality of Interaction–excellent Motivation for Students–excellent

Record Keeping

 * The program prompts you to enter your name at the beginning, and your progress can be saved through that.

Overall Evaluation
The program is very well done. The graphics are engaging, and young children will love them. Also the songs that accompany this program are appropriate to the age group. Although they may seem nauseating to adult viewers, children will enjoy the songs very much. The sequence of instruction is very appropriate, and the topics are covered at an appropriate pace. It would be a great program for any young beginning piano student. The only difficulty with this program that I had was in installing it on a Mac computer, but other than that, this program is excellent.

Rating–++++ (4/4 stars)

Stephen Allen (4/4/07)