KrankAndLucy

__//**Krank and Lucy**//__
1. CITATION AND GENERAL INFORMATION
 * Title: //Krank & Lucy//
 * Author: RoxMedia
 * Publisher: TMI - The Music Interactive
 * Copyright Date: Unknown
 * Platform: Macintosh and Windows OS
 * Peripherals: headphones and/or speakers
 * Grade/Age: Late Elementary/Early Middle School
 * Type of Class: General Music, Beginning Band, Beginning Orchestra, Beginning Choir

2. TEACHER SUPPORT
 * Documentation: Very basic operating instructions in the game and on the internet site
 * Objectives: One objective listed in the instructions - "Note Name Recognition"
 * Lesson plans: None
 * Sample screens: None
 * Resource information: None
 * Reproducible student pages: None
 * Student booklets: None

3. INSTRUCTIONAL CONTENT
 * Specific Musical Content: Note Name Recognition
 * National Music Standards that could be addressed through this software: //NS5 - Reading and notating music//

4. INSTRUCTIONAL DESIGN AND PEDAGOGICAL SOUNDNESS
 * Though limited in nature, the teaching strategy is appropriate for students grades 4 - 7 who are in band or general music.
 * Clicking on the instrument choice at the beginning puts you in the clef appropriate to the instrument (treble/bass). There is no alto clef option/instrument so this would be less appropriate for strings/orchestra classes.
 * The presentation on screen generally contains little that confuses students. The opening menu is slightly confusing - it has students chose an instrument and its clef, but at no time does the sound of that instrument enter into the process. (Too bad, that would have been a nice touch.)
 * The readability and difficulty is an appropriate level for students in grades 4 - 7 who need drill and practice on note reading in the treble clef.
 * The graphics are entertaining and could be motivating to young learners.

5. TYPE OF PROGRAM: Drill and Practice
 * The user has some control of movement within the program.
 * There are "Help" and "Quit" buttons prominently displayed in the upper left and right corners, respectively.
 * If students make a mistake they get to keep trying over until they get the answer correct. This is easy as there are only 3 choices given at a time.
 * They can choose an instrument at the beginning, but the choice has no control over the game except to choose the clef and to start game.
 * Feedback is more reinforcing for correct than for incorrect responses.
 * The feedback for correct answers is a "happy" musical note. For each correct answer given "Krank" advances one space and "Lucy's" back will change color. After 10 correct answers the the student is rewarded with a fun video/audio sequence.
 * Feedback for incorrect answers is a low "unhappy" tone. The student can continue with no penalty until they reach the 10 correct answers required.
 * Sequence of Materials: Good
 * Pace of Instruction: Good
 * Quality of Interaction:Fair
 * Motivation for Students: Good

5. RECORD KEEPING
 * There is no record keeping built into this game.
 * Teachers would have to choose to have students keep records, keep records themselves or elect not to record the scores.

6. OVERALL EVALUATION
 * This program is a great way to "drill" beginning to intermediate level students on reading pitches on, above and below the staff. It includes notes in the treble and bass clefs, as well as the use of sharps and flats. Some of the possible answers can be tricky as the enharmonic spellings are occasionally used as a choice. (However, choosing the enharmonic will not elicit a correct answer response - that is the tricky part. Students need to be warned to "keep it simple" and not "over-think" their answers. There is not time limit for answering the questions. There are no awards for answering faster or penalties for answering slower.
 * Pluses: A quick and easy way to "drill" note reading. The program uses treble and bass clef. Notes can be found on the staff as well as above and below the staff (ledger lines).
 * Minuses: The program occasionally "glitches." Sometimes the staff/notes do not show up on the screen. The only way to to continue is to keep hitting the 3 choice buttons until you get the right answer. There is no alto/tenor clef option for viola or bassoon.
 * Rating -- ***

8. COST
 * Free download from [|www.themusicinteractive.com] //(requires free sign-up with TMI)//