Sibelius+Groovy+Jungle+1.0


 * CITATION AND GENERAL INFORMATION**
 * [|Sibelius Groovy Jungle 1.0]
 * Authors: Sandra Stauffer, Mary Elizabeth, Pauline Adams
 * Publisher: [|Sibelius] Software Ltd.
 * Copyright 2006
 * Platforms:
 * Macintosh OS X 10.2 or later
 * Windows 98SE/ME/2000/XP
 * Peripherals:
 * EITHER Quicktime (Mac) or GS Wavetable (Wintel) Synthesizer
 * OR a suitable MIDI driver
 * Appropriate for 7-9 year olds (elementary general music) as sequel to Sibelius Groovy Shapes


 * TEACHER SUPPORT**
 * Manual included with:
 * Explanation of different work modes (Jungle Create, Shapes Create, Explore)
 * Lesson plans (aligning with US National Standards)
 * Teacher features and preferences
 * Installation/Lab instructions, MIDI instructions, technical data
 * Installed program folder includes:
 * Demos
 * Lesson Plans
 * Templates


 * INSTRUCTIONAL CONTENT**
 * Explores concepts of Sound, Rhythm, and Pitch
 * US National Music Standards addressed in provided lessons:
 * 1. Singing, alone and with others, a varied repertoire of music.
 * 2. Performing on instruments, alone and with others, a varied repertoire of music.
 * 3. Improvising melodies, variations, and accompaniments.
 * 4. Composing and arranging music within specified guidelines.
 * 5. Reading and notating music.
 * 6. Listening to, analyzing, and describing music.
 * 7. Evaluating music and music performances.
 * 8. Understanding relationships between music, the other arts, and disciplines outside the arts.

The strategies used in Groovy Jungle are absolutely appropriate for the intended age level, and a great deal of knowledge is presented in a conceptual manner, linking all of the information involved to "big themes" to be spiraled with increasing grades. Many musical elements are presented using either mapping/shaping or the use of icons, some of which may be a little too cerebral for 4th graders to understand, but they usually serve a positive purpose. I find the readability and potential for musical transfer of the explore mode to be far superior than that of the create mode, but I certainly see how the view of the jungle in create mode seems a lot more fun. Many of the buttons in the interface could easily seem illegible, illogical, or simply requiring some acclimation time at first (see p. 8 and 22 in the manual!), but kids will learn this quickly.
 * INSTRUCTIONAL DESIGN AND PEDAGOGICAL SOUNDNESS**

Navigation and control within the program seemed a little limited, though I think this is intended to keep students on task with completion of lessons and/or projects. The lack of some traditional interface features, such as peripheral menus and screen adjustments, occasionally contributes to a feeling of limited autonomy within the program.

The program is structured to facilitate a number of different learning possibilities, such as: a tutorial, a simulation (or pre-notational acclimation), for discovery and creativity, and for problem solving. Its sequence and pacing are exemplary, while the motivation and interactive qualities are just good, in my opinion - a little less rewarding than they could be.

Although there is adequate description of how the software can be integrated into a lab situation, I am unaware of any built-in devices for record keeping within the program.
 * RECORD KEEPING**

Excellent (++++): The presentation of musical concepts here is extremely kid-friendly and, barring some less legible (buttons) and transparent features (create mode), the software lends itself extremely well to use in the classroom. I would personally begin with the explore mode in my own classes to create a more transferable visual image of musical notation for students as well as to frame the more unruly jungle view found in create mode.
 * OVERALL EVALUATION**

--Daniel Heim, 3/25/2007