Concept
Foozaphone is a musical instrument for children ages 6 through 8. In addition to being simply fun and engaging, the instrument hopes to encourage all children in this age group, including those diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), to develop the following skills:
• Sharing
• Joint attention
• Imitation
• Reciprocity
• Turn-taking
The games played on the instrument will not require adult supervision.
• Sharing
• Joint attention
• Imitation
• Reciprocity
• Turn-taking
The games played on the instrument will not require adult supervision.
The games played on the instrument will result in improvisational music creation by the players. No music theory knowledge is required.
The keyboard bars will have a touch screen monitor attached to support interactive game-play between multiple players. This combination of devices (keyboard and monitor) will look like a musical instrument case that is portable. Kids that play the instrument experience the pride that comes with playing a traditional music instrument.
The keyboard bars will have a touch screen monitor attached to support interactive game-play between multiple players. This combination of devices (keyboard and monitor) will look like a musical instrument case that is portable. Kids that play the instrument experience the pride that comes with playing a traditional music instrument.
Parameters
Playing with Foozaphone does NOT require verbal skills, reading, math, or fine motor skills. Boys and girls are encouraged to give it a try by audio and visual prompts. It can be played solo or with a friend, including Kylie – the onscreen friend that’s included!
Control PanelVolume Control – soft plastic – thin tip is lowest volume; wide end is loudest volume
Sound Type Control – hard plastic – piano, wind, voice (songbird), harp Visual Theme Control – texturized – sound waves (shown); fireworks; picture drawing Visual Theme OptionsImages will be displayed on the screen as a player strikes keys. Themes for different types of images can be selected from the third control knob. Options will include sound waves, fireworks, and picture drawing.
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Multi-Sensory Experiences
Playing the instrument will involve audial, visual, and tactile sensory experiences.
Usage
Identify Players – Players will be presented with avatars to choose from to identify themselves. An audio prompt will instruct the players to touch a picture to represent them.
Name Song – Players will be presented with icons and prompted to choose one to represent the song in lieu of naming a file.
Visual Stories – As players touch keys, visual images will appear on the screen. When the song is saved, the visual story is saved with it.
Challenge Player – Players will be prompted to give a turn to another player. Each player will be indicated by an icon. If a player is solo, he can take turns with Kylie.
Name Song – Players will be presented with icons and prompted to choose one to represent the song in lieu of naming a file.
Visual Stories – As players touch keys, visual images will appear on the screen. When the song is saved, the visual story is saved with it.
Challenge Player – Players will be prompted to give a turn to another player. Each player will be indicated by an icon. If a player is solo, he can take turns with Kylie.
Keyboard
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Each key will have a raised or etched symbol to provide a tactile experience. The letters indicate the notes in the key of C.
Each will be able to light up to encourage a player to touch it. Sound Types include piano, harp, wind instrument, and voice. DemographicsFoozaphone will gather data to detect player ability, likes, and preferences. Examples:
• If a player chooses a sophisticated icon to “name” a song file, Foozaphone will present more sophisticated icons for future selections. • If a player selects icons typically associated with a girl, such as a ballerina, Foozaphone will include feminine icons in future options. |
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Mascot
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Kylie, the Foozaphone mascot, will express emotion. His eyes will look toward the target UI element and the player to aid in joint attention skill development. He will also prompt players to touch specific keys or images on the touch screen
Audio PromptsAudio prompts will be in Kylie’s voice, which will be childlike. Prompts will be very short, direct sentences, such as, “Touch a picture.”
Visual PromptsKylie will point to images to guide the player to make selections. Icons and keys will glow to draw attention to them.
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Peripherals
Power will be supplied by USB charge.
USB can also be used to connect to a computer to upgrade software.
USB can also be used to connect to a computer to upgrade software.
Case Closed
The cases are texturized and come in an assortment of colors.
Case Open
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