"I am not sure I can limit what I like about this application into one review but I will try! In a word, it is simply amazing. It engages students on a level that other technology cannot. The environment is perfect for learning because it allows the student to focus on the information being presented. Jam Studio accomplishes this in two ways: first, they make the environment exciting yet not over stimulating, and second, they make the content fun. The students want to have fun, they want to be engaged, and they want to have control of their content. Jam Studio allows all of this to happen. The students have choice, they feel and have control over their own experience. If they want to play the drums they can, if they would rather play a guitar they can. They are not required to follow an adults instructions over what they can play or not. The songs are entertaining and educational at the same time.
The students are learning while laughing and moving. I have already seen the success of using music and movement in the classroom, and Jam Studio has the ability to take that concept to the next level.
There are multiple benefits that Jam Studio can provide to our school district. There is the potential for content specific learning such as phonics and other standard specific subjects. There is also the ability to explore student’s creativity and see what they want to learn or experience. This application can be integrated into performing arts curriculum with ease. It also allows schools to expose students to instruments they might not otherwise be able to afford. There is an abundance of options to choose from. Jam Studio has the ability to go beyond other applications because it allows for creative control from the user. "
-Shannon Putman, Jefferson County School District
"Jam Studio is very easy to use right off the bat with little instruction even thou it does have a good tutorial. There was a wide variety of activities and in those activities lots of different instruments and sound samplers to play with. This is also a good program for use in all grades as there was elementary content all the way up. Even as an adult I was having fun with it. The ability to play this over multiple grades is a huge plus. I also like this is a music app. I like to see multiple subject matters being represented in the systems we use and this is an underrepresented area in the big picture of it all. Also, I like this is a game that can be played from a chair or standing. We are finding the need for this more and more."
-Mike McGowan, Sunnybrook School District
"There are many things I enjoyed about Jam studio. First, the application seems very applicable to all styles of learning. The application also has the ability to be used by a wide range of students from preschoolers to high schoolers and encourages the use of all five gross motor skills. Secondly, the educational benefits seem to be very useful. The application implements math in creative ways to help students stay interested in what they are learning about. The application provides frustration release, and at the same time, encourages inclusive play, with interaction with others. Thirdly, there is a variety of lesson plans for different types of students. No matter what type of student a teacher is working with, they will always be able to find a way to help that student learn in the best way possible. This application could be very beneficial at Oak Grove.
There are many students with different learning abilities at my school. This VR application could help encourage kids to actually enjoy what they are learning about, from learning math to learning about different kinds of music. This application would likely be most beneficial to our middle school."
-Sebastien Zasada, Oak Groove Lutheran
"I like Jam Studio VR most because you don’t have to have any musical skill or ability; it’s great for all levels. Especially for those kids who are a little nervous at first, they try it and they love it! So I think it really opens their mind up to not only this but other possibilities of what they can do if they jump into something and try it. And it’s great because it’s not that competitive - they’re doing it on their own and as they want, so it’s not a competition and it’s not intimidating for them to get into it. It’s also a great incentive and motivator because they really love it and want to do it."
-Lisa Geonnotti, Gateway Academy Team Lead – 3-5th Grade
"Jam Studio VR has been phenomenal as an incentive and a motivator to get our students to do things that they’re often uncomfortable or unwilling to do, to use as a motivator to get them through the week, and to simply come to school each day so that they’re eligible to participate in the program. Having this at the end of our week is a really juicy carrot that encourages our students to push through and really grow and develop because they love it. This is a highly motivating, engaging activity for our students, especially those that have fine and gross motor challenges, spatial awareness challenges, significant sensory challenges, and impulsivity challenges. This VR App and the process of having them wait in line brings their vestibular and other senses into play in order to engage and has been outstanding. It’s a highly discreet way to address all of those deficits for them in a way that they’re working harder than they probably would just to have the opportunity to do that. "
-Matt Drowne, Head of Gateway Academy
"At Bethany Ranch Home we work with a large population of people with Down Syndrome, and they love the Beamz Interactive Music System and Jam Studio VR, they absolutely love it! There’s some that I didn’t think would really be involved, and those are the ones that love it the most. The first thing you see when they start playing is a big smile, and it’s amazing to see some of my non-verbal people open up and shine. It’s honestly like magic, and the smile - they can just go on and on and on and on. It is absolutely amazing! One additional great benefit I see is that it surprised many of them that they can do it. A lot of times they’ve been told what they can’t do, but this interactive music experience makes them feel like they can do anything. For the short time that they’re doing it, they feel like they have no limitations to what they can do. The experience is a 10 out of 10, but honestly, it’s priceless. It really is. I’ve seen my group open up and smile and shine - there’s no number you can give it, it’s just priceless.
-Gloria Quinn, Assistant Program Manager, Bethany Ranch Home
"Is easy to use, I like the tutorial at the beginning to help you get easily acclimated to the app, it is very interactive. I think our music/band/chorus students would enjoy using this very much, as well as other students who are not so musically inclined. I really like the collection of songs already pre-installed on the app."
-Chris Wilson, Point Pleasant Beach High School
