A previous series of articles focused on linking video games to select pieces of literature. One suggestion recently brought to my attention was using Rockstar Games' L.A. Noire with the works of Raymond Chandler. Having read The Big Sleep, I could see the connection but with all the different cases in the video game I would hazard to guess James Ellroy's LA Confidential would be the better comparison. Until I get my PS3 repaired and read Ellroy's novel, a new article won't happen.
Until then, let me start a new series that boldly suggests video games that could used in the classroom. Mind you, I'm not going to suggest using games to replace textbooks. Instead, the games in this series could be used to enhance the learning experience in various subject areas and in the general curriculum.
Video Game: The Rock Band series
Subject Area: Music Appreciation
In 2005, Harmonix revolutionized video gaming with the release of Guitar Hero. Using a guitar-shaped controller, players could strum colored notes along with famous rock tracks like “Smoke on the Water” and “Ace of Spades.” Six years later, the Guitar Hero franchise is dead as well as the whole music rhythm genre on life support with the exception of the Rock Band series which started in 2007, also created by Harmonix after it was purchased by MTV Games.
In addition to guitar, players could sing, play bass, and play drums. With Rock Band 3, the keyboard was utilized, bringing in acts like Rilo Kiley and Yes, but also teasing us with the possibility of downloadable content from the long-awaited inclusion of music from artists like Ben Folds Five and Genesis. The key to Harmonix still standing while others have folded is they bring a wide variety of music as well as a quality product.
Another innovation by Harmonix is the ability to have all the music of the Rock Band series compatible for play. You can import the songlists (or majority of the music) of each game (with the exception of The Beatles: Rock Band) alongside the downloaded songs and tracks of the Rock Band Network and play them through Rock Band 3. No need to imagine having thousands of songs at your fingertips because you actually can.
“We like all kinds of music!”
The range of artists in the games/download/network include but aren't limited to James Brown, Tenacious D, Motorhead, Vampire Weekend, Foo Fighters, The Beach Boys, REM, The Who, Talking Heads, Flight of the Conchords, Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Snoop Doggy Dogg, Ohio Players, Spinal Tap, Jonathan Coulton, Johnny Cash, Dixie Chicks, The Killers, Billy Joel, Green Day, The Ramones, The Clash, Devo, Phish, Kansas, Iron Maiden, Metallica, Journey, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Pantera, Ac/Dc, The Black Keys, Bob Marley, Boston, David Bowie, The Flaming Lips, No Doubt, INXS, and Lynyrd Skynyrd. Its a fantastic way to introduce students to an artist they may not have heard of otherwise.
Most music appreciation classes involve listening to an artist and knowing of his/her/their background. Its a pretty limited means of invigorating interest in an artist. Yet, give someone a fake instrument and have them play along with a track like “Hangar 18” by Megadeth or “Green Grass and High Tides” by The Outlaws, and respect to the artist is a given. Put someone on the drums and select a Who track or a song by The Police. They won't soon forget the names of either Keith Moon or Stewart Copeland.
Another element is the need to think as a band as opposed to thinking as an individual. There is a score-boosting featured called Overdrive. This allows the score multiplier to double when activated. Individual band members can activate it, but to achieve the highest score possible it is best for all members of the band to activate it at the same time. Not only does it serves as a great hello to unfamiliar artists, but it serves as a team-building exercise as well.
For What It's Worth...
While I used a PS3, for the sake of cost effectiveness in the classroom get an X-Box 360. With so many people jumping the music rhythm ship, the cost of fake instruments lately is really cheap. Drums, guitars, mics, and keyboards can be found for around $15 to $20. Finding the games in new condition can be easy on a website like Amazon, many you can buy for less than $20. Note: Don't buy them used or else you may not be able to import the songlists since the codes are one-time use only. Importing the songlists will range between five to ten dollars and will take up a lot of time. For about $30 to $40 dollars, you can buy a decent amount of downloadable content to diversify your music selections. It may seem like a lot, but once you get the students into it, it is well worth the investment.
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