Mozart's+Musical+Adventure

**General Information**

 * Title: Mozart's Musical Adventure
 * Publisher: [|SelectSoft Publishing]
 * Copyright: 2006
 * Platform: Windows XP/2000/Me/98
 * Grade/Age: Elementary school
 * Class: General music
 * Necessary Equipment: Speakers

**Teacher Support**
The company's website provides a few [|resources] for the teacher. A short summary of the skills developed and activities included in this program, as well as a few screen shots are included. Other than this, there are really no resources. The game, in itself, does not really need resources, though, because it is extremely user-friendly and self-explanatory.

**Instructional Content**
MENC National Standards addressed:
 * __Standards 6 & 7: Analyzing and evaluating music.__ Since this game is nearly entirely music-listening based, students get a lot of practice with analyzing and evaluating music. The memory, orchestra, and jigsaw puzzle games are entirely listening-based, and require an ear for differentiating sounds. There is also a listening room for a less game based experience. Students are able to complete a variety of drill-like activities based on their understanding of the music through listening.
 * __Standard 9: Understanding music in relation to history and culture.__ The biography section is entirely about Mozart, so students can learn about his life and works. The musical selections are also entirely Mozart's compositions. The students, then, are immersed in the life of one composer and his works throughout the game. This software helps students utilize skills across the curriculum. For instance, students use readings skills to read about Mozart's life, and can then place the life of the composer into history.

**Instructional Design and Pedagogical Soundness**
Mozart's Musical Adventure is a game-based program. Despite this, the program cannot be used by all students. A basic knowledge of musical instruments is required to play the games and reading skills are required to read Mozart's biography. However, the listening room function can be used in the classroom to demonstrate some of Mozart's most famous works if recordings are not readily available. When used with the appropriate group of students, this program provides a plethora of drill and practice activities. It is also a fantastic introduction to Mozart and his compositional style. If a computer lab is readily available, this program will work well in general music as a little break from the everyday classroom activities. The diversity of activities and drills that are given would be extremely helpful in promoting student learning with a variety of modalities.

Students will be able to easily figure out how to use this program. Everything is explained by a voice before the game starts. In addition, the graphics are colorful and the characters who play the instruments are really cute and entertaining (I had a mouse playing the viola and a cat playing the horn), as they are dressed in the clothes (some with wigs) of Mozart's period. The world that is created is engaging and very entertaining for students. It should be stated that though the game is entertaining, the overall learning component is not lost.

**Record Keeping**
There is no record keeping in this program.

**Overall Evaluation**
In the elementary classroom, Mozart's Musical Adventure can be a charming addition to learning the instruments of the orchestra. The musical selections are really fantastic, in my opinion; in addition, the visuals are colorful and entertaining. However, I was left wanting more variety. This could be partially due to the fact that the version I had gotten a hold of was a demo, but I will give the full version the benefit of the doubt. It should be mentioned that this program is quite cheap, as well.

Even though the focus of this program is quite narrow, I think it serves its purpose very well. This is not a program that I would spend a great deal of time on in the music classroom. However, it would definitely be a nice addition to a unit on the classical period of music.

Overall: * * * out of * * * *

Created by Abigail McGreehan 10/27/08

Updated by Jessica Kless 11/2010