I've known about Piano Wizard Academy for years. After all, I helped Sonlight negotiate the agreement by which they acquired the rights to sell the product.
But I learned something tonight that I had never known before. Check out this video by Chris Salter, the developer of the Piano Wizard program:
Jed, a profoundly mentally handicapped young boy, took three weeks to learn Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star under the tutelage of this video-game-style learning program. . . . At the time (he was seven and a half years old), he could hardly speak; he couldn't do a four-piece toddler jigsaw puzzle. Now, two and a half years later, he is playing Beethoven's Fifth Symphony, Bach's Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring, and Mozart's Eine Kleine Nachtmusik two-handed, and his mom figures he's ready to participate with other children in a regular classroom.
The story itself is delightful. But, from my perspective, it "merely" provides one more reason to take a games approach to education when it makes sense.
What's so special about the Academy that it helped Jed? And why might you want to give such a gift to your children or grandkids?
Find out more here.
And NOTE: Right now--till Thursday noon (MST), Sonlight is offering a a great deal on the Academy. You get the Academy, plus a free keyboard (Retail value of $149), free FedEx two-day shipping (to the Lower 48), plus several other bonuses.
Check it out.
But I learned something tonight that I had never known before. Check out this video by Chris Salter, the developer of the Piano Wizard program:
Jed, a profoundly mentally handicapped young boy, took three weeks to learn Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star under the tutelage of this video-game-style learning program. . . . At the time (he was seven and a half years old), he could hardly speak; he couldn't do a four-piece toddler jigsaw puzzle. Now, two and a half years later, he is playing Beethoven's Fifth Symphony, Bach's Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring, and Mozart's Eine Kleine Nachtmusik two-handed, and his mom figures he's ready to participate with other children in a regular classroom.
The story itself is delightful. But, from my perspective, it "merely" provides one more reason to take a games approach to education when it makes sense.
What's so special about the Academy that it helped Jed? And why might you want to give such a gift to your children or grandkids?
Find out more here.
And NOTE: Right now--till Thursday noon (MST), Sonlight is offering a a great deal on the Academy. You get the Academy, plus a free keyboard (Retail value of $149), free FedEx two-day shipping (to the Lower 48), plus several other bonuses.
Check it out.
