Simon Says Play a Tune
A tangible learning game to memorize basic musical notes
Background
In Tangible Electronics for Teaching and Learning class, one of the projects that we had to do was to design a simple learning game using Arduino. We were given the freedom to choose what our game wants to focus on, as long as the game includes both inputs (button press, touch sensor, gyroscope, distance sensor, etc.) and outputs (light, motor, speaker, screen, etc.).
Together with my partner, we decided to do a game that teachers learners musical notes.
One of the first things that we brainstormed about was to think about the things we struggled with learning as we grew up, and how those things can possibly be made more easier to digest with an electronic device. One of the things that we discovered in our discussion is that we both spent a portion of our childhood playing piano. Stephanie played competitive piano, while I was more of a casual learner. But the one thing we struggled with was learning how to memorize and identify musical notes. I had resorted to taping my piano with an adhesive label (one for C,F,G). Stephanie’s main issue was that there will be moments where she’ll blank out and then doesn’t know what to play. She also finds herself no longer able to read sheet music now.
Learning Goals:
It is hoped that by using the device, the learner will be able to:
Distinguish between different musical notes.
Be able to identify how different musical notes can work together to form a melody.
The Idea
Our learning game combines a simple piano and the classic “Simon Says” game.
The idea is that the device we constructed will be able to play a series of notes, and each of the notes corresponds to a light bulb. After the notes play, the learner will be tasked to “repeat” the sequence by pressing a button. The device will then tell the learner whether or not they have successfully repeated the sequence. The light bulb also provides a scaffold by color coding the musical notes, so that learners do not have to rely on their memory and hearing alone.
Building the Prototype
The design of our tangibles combines the following codes which were taken from the Arduino library: the piezo buzzer/speaker, buttons, lightbulbs.
Acknowledgements:
Course
DM-GY – 9103 Tangible Electronics for Teaching and Learning
Professor
Kayla DesPortes
Benedetta Piantella
Benedetta Piantella
Team Members
Stephanie Sinwell
Athia Fadhlina
Athia Fadhlina