@derekrobertson's...

Dancing Games: Dance on Broadway is (almost) Jazz hands-tastic 2/2

After reaching the heady heights of the high score/performance domain in Just Dance we have now moved on the the more theatrical dance world of Dance on Broadway. This dancing game for the NIntendo Wii is set in the world of musical theatre and requires that you perform routines as perfect as possible....

For those of you that might wish to emulate John Barrowman, Denise van Outen or even Michael Ball then this game might be right up your street. 

Still thinking about it's educational application but already I have managed to make my young daughters aware of a range of muscial theatre shows and their underpinning storylines as a result of their developing interest in some of the songs that they enjoy playing/performing.

Only problem with this game is that the proper jazz hand technique is compromised when holding the Wiimote ;-)

Let's Tap: Good, good, good, good vibrations

Sometimes your best ideas for classroom practice can be found in the most unlikeliest of places. Well just the other day I think I stumbled upon another excellent opportunity for learning via a COTS game. I had heard about a game called Let's Tapfrom the Nintendo Wii and that the gameplay involved tapping the desk in order for the Wiimote to pick up the vibrations. Said vibrations would then control what happened in the game. Well. the most certainly do and I found myself playing this game for about an hour on Tuesday afternoon with my Development Officer at the Consolarium Brian McLaren. What larks we had and after an hour of mirth, discussion and competition the ladies in the main office in LTSDundee said that we were, "squealing like a couple of lassies!" (No sexist inference from me...just reporting what was said.)

Well what is Let's Tap? Have a look:

The game involved include:

Tap Runner: Sprint for the finish line in over 16 courses while avoiding obstacles including hurdles, ice wall and electric fields. (1-4 players)

Rhythm Tap: There are a wide range of songs to master in Rhythm Tap. Feel the beat and tap light, medium, hard in sync with the on-screen tap indicators. (1-4 players)

Silent Blocks: Different modes using light and hard taps to strategically remove blocks one at a time from the column without causing it to topple over. (1-4 players)

Bubble Voyager: Clad in a space suit, solo players tap to keep their character afloat through many levels filled with dangerous objects; a double tap will launch a missile. In multiplayer matches, you will shoot each other a number of times to win. (1-4 players)

Visualizer: Everyone will take their turn with several unique stages including Fireworks, Paint, River, Gem Game and Ink. Tapping with light, medium and hard strokes produces on-screen effects ranging from a fireworks display to undersea bubbles. In special tap sequences, various sea animals will appear. (1 player)

I feel that there is scope for the incorporation of all of the games in to the classroom in one way or another but the one that has really resonated with me is the Visualiser and the possibilities that this may have in the ASN context. Brian and I were lost in this part of the game and found ourselves orchestrating the most vivid and wildly beautiful firework displays, causing consternation in the coy pool or creating random Jackson Pollockesque canvases (ok maybe pushing it a little) by by tapping and banging on the table. The impact on a large projection screen within this game as a result of a simple tap or bang is just simply wonderful.

I'd very much like to see what this game could bring to the experiences of learners in the ASN context because of the simple way that players can engage with the game and the incredible return they get from a simple tap on a desk. I hope to report back on ways in which it has been put to use in schools very soon. I wholeheartedly recommend this game just for the fun aspect but yet again within a game designed for entertainment we see great educational potential.

World of Goo on Wii Ware

Can't wait to download World of Goo form Wii Ware. It's one of those games that is immediately appealing because of how it looks but once you get passed the initial delight of what you are seeing you can begin to see the challenge and level of engagement it can bring. Have a look and see what you think:

You can download a demo of the game for Mac or PC from 2D Boy.

The game itself is described on the Nintebndo Wii Ware channel as follows:

World of Goo is a multiple award winning physics based puzzle / construction game made entirely by two guys. Drag and drop living, squirming, talking, globs of goo to build structures, bridges, cannonballs, zeppelins, and giant tongues. The millions of Goo Balls that live in the beautiful World of Goo are curious to explore - but they don't know that they are in a game, or that they are extremely delicious.

• Mysterious Levels: Each level is strange and dangerously beautiful, introducing new puzzles, areas, and the creatures that live in them.

• World of Goo Balls: Along the way, undiscovered new species of Goo Ball, each with unique abilities, come together to ooze through reluctant tales of discovery, love, conspiracy, beauty, electric power, and the third dimension.

• The Sign Painter: Someone is watching you.

• World of Goo Corporation: Congratulations! World of Goo Corporation is the Global Leader in Goo and Goo Related Product, including World of Goo Corporation Trademark Brand Soft Drink Beverage and World of Goo Corporation Trademark Brand Facial Exfoliating Lotion. Succulent!

• Massive Online Competition: Human players around the world compete in a living leaderboard to build the tallest towers of goo in World of Goo Corporation's mysterious sandbox

Enjoy, and let me know how you get on with it. Also if you think you can use it in class then give me a shout.

BBC iplayer for the PS3

I remember the battle between VHS and Betamax in the 1980s. My dad plumped for a cracking Sanyo Betamax model because it was reputed to be the best system and I've still got some heavy metal Betamax videos such as Stryper in Japan in the cupboard somewhere! The Blu-Ray vs HD DVD battle never reached the Hearns vs Hagler heights of the 1980s video recorder battle but it really is all becoming irrelevant these days...my video recorder hasn't been used for months. It's not broken, I've got money to buy tapes and yes I do know how to programme it. It's just that it is redundant technology...

From hard drive recorders from Sky and Virgin, watch again facilities on TV servies and now BBC's iplayer, you've no excuse to miss your favourite programmes.

The BBC have stolen a march in making the iplayer accessible via the Wii but if you don't have one do not fear, there is now an unofficial site that will allow you to access the iplayer through your PS3.

If you can pull yourself away from GTA IV then happy viewing. ;-)

Wii Fit is on its way: some reviews

I've been waiting patiently for news of the new Wii fit application and was delighted to read reviews about this week in the new editions of Edge and Nintendo Magazine. Some time ago David Muir sent me a link to a parody of the new Wii Fit product on You Tube and since then it has made mer look at it in a slightly comical fashion, however...the reviews it has received has dismissed this and I now await it's release with real anticipation and dare I say excitement!

Wii Fit is a 'game' or lifestyle application that enables the player/exerciser to engage with a comprehensive exercise programme via a balance board that communicates with the Wii. Have a look:

Nintendo Magazine have written an extensive review of the product and although they feel they still need time to work with it they gave it a decent review.

"...after an hour or two playing it we realised that we were quite tired...we could feel the strain on our backs and legs, as if we had been walking for quite a while."

...and Edge magazine said:

"...unlike much of Wii Sports, the Balance Board necessitates that they (the games) cannot be played in half measures. You have to stand; you have to articulate your body into positions in order to move your centre of gravity. There is clearly more exercise than play....an intimidating repertoire of lunges, press-ups and yogic positions await. However, simply as a fitness product it has the advantage over Cindy Crawford and her ilk in that it can communicate feedback very effectively plotting achievable targets tailored to the individual."

The Wii Fit programme has 48 activities that are split into four different categories. The main training games fit into Cardio and Yoga type exercises with balance and mini-games making up the rest. One of the mini-games sounds like great fun and it sees your Mii dressed up in a penguin suit, stood on the Antarctic ice-flow. Various fish jump up on to the on-screen board and you have to lean left and right to make them slip off the board! Imagine how much fun that will be if you play it with a penguin suit on.

I'll be interested to see how this game could be used a s part of a fitness programme within the home but as a tool in school that can be used to focus on fitness - then I'm not so sure. However, no doubt the growing body of 'gamer' teachers out there will be able to come up with innovative ways to apply its use in teaching and learning.

When my Wii Fit arrives I plan to carry out a 28 day Wii Fit programme to see if it impacts on my health. Weight, heart rate etc. Mind you, when you have Olympian standard of fitness and musculature, I'm not sure that this new device will make much difference! ;-) Irrespective of this I'll keep you posted with the results.

Parental pressure to buy a console...in verse

I have an order in for 18 Nintendo Wiis at the minute and there is still no sign of them! These are going to a number of Scottish local authorities who are keen on using them with pre-school and early years children. More of that to come...

But this wait makes you think about how the 'must have' nature of the latest games consoles when first released must be murder for some families. This is probably going to get even worse with the imminent release of the hugely priced PS3! There's a really good Scots language poem in today's The Herald  that touches on this as it articulates a mum's desire to be a 'good mum' by getting her hands on the latest console, irrespective of the economic hardship that her family may be enduring, for her son. Here it is...

In the 'Wii', 'Wii' Hours...

“Ah telt him straicht last nicht,” the lassie said,

“Noo Billy luik, ah says, there’s juist no way,

Ah’m gaun tae spend five hunner oan eBay,

It’s still a fortnicht yet till ah get paid.

There’s Leigh wi her twae, bidin’ doon the street,

She’s loast a fortune tae thon ‘Farepak’ crew,

An noo she says her man’s pit oan the burro –

Some Christmas thon! Enow tae mak ye greet!

Likesay, the wurd goat oot the store hud some,

An boy, dis he ken hou tae twist yer airm!

That’s why ah’m stuid oot here at fowr a.m.

But, juist think oan his face, ah’d be some mum,

Gin he didnae hae the latest console gear –

Thenk Christ tho, Santa comes juist aince a year!”

Rab Wilson

Apparently Rab will, be one of 100 poets meeting in St Andrews tomorrow as part of a marathon poetry session that is features in the StAnza poetry festival. Meanwhile the PS3 release date is getting ever closer and may be looming very large on the horizon for some parents.

We have a Wii!

The festive season has seen me neglect my site to some extent but now that I have begun to work off the excess body weight created by trifle, dumpling and far too many three course meals I thought that I had better get back to this!

To that end I would like to tell you all about my recent experiences with the new Nintendo Wii console that I managed to acquire. How did I get one I hear you ask? Contacts, that's what you need (and an imploring and pleading face...that usually does the trick!)

Anyways, I manged to get my hands on one and set it up at home last week. Really easy to set up and and it includes a motion sensor strip that you need to place above or below your TV. The first thing you need to do is to create your Mii. This is a Wii avatar that you create to represent you in some of the games that are available. This was really cute and when you connect online to the Wii community your Mii can migrate to other consoles and meet in the Mii plaza!

I now have it set up in the Consolarium and the game play is hugely enhanced by the 72" Promethean board that I have. My friend and trusted technican friend James is proving to be an excellent sacrifical lamb on which I can hone my skills!

Thanks James ;-)

Next, I was in to Wii Sports with my Mii in full effect, and boy was it fun:

• Wii Tennis: Superb. A single press of the button on the handset tosses the ball in the air and then you must do the serve action to hit the ball across court. I was hugely impressed with this as when the ball is returned it appears the the controller is so sensitive that it can detect whether you put slice on the ball or topspin. This allows you to really flummox the opponent. This game was so charming and energetic that I played a full 5 set game! There are hidden depths to this game though because there is an amazingly fast serve that you can dish out but I haven't quite worked out how to completely control this yet. All in all a great start.
• Wii Bowling: This was good although I think the equivalent with Sony's Eye Toy game is equally if not slightly better. Maybe I need to play this a bit more...
• Wii Baseball: Great fun. You have the opportunity to be the batter and the pitcher and yes it is a case if three strikes and you're out. Again the controller is really sensitive here and you can control the speed of the pitch by moderating the speed at which you make the throwing action.
• Wii Golf: This was another example of the amazing nature of this new console's controller. It provides an on-screen gauge that indicates the strength of your swing. If your swing is too fast then it goes way off the scale but an appropriately swung club means you either hit an amazing drive down the fairway or loft a beautiful wedge on to the green. Putting is especially good fun too.
• Wii Boxing: The nunchuk needs to be attached to the controller here so that you can lead and jab with one hand and leave the heavy blows to the big hand! Some beautiful body punches were landed on my opponent and he crumbled in the face of my virtual onslaught. Don't push me!!!

All in all I was rather impressed with the Nintendo Wii and looking very much forward to giving detailed consideration into how this can be used in educational contexts. The Wii Play game that I also have looks as though it has some excellent games that can be used in pre-school early years contexts, particularly in relation to matching and sequencing exercises. ASN contexts are also crying to be introduced to the Wii.

I'll post more about once I return from BETT.