Now that I have spent nearly a full half term with the English Department I am beginning to think more like an English teacher, of course influenced by my enthusiasm for teachnology. Still overwhelmed with lesson preparation and tooth ache, I wish I was joking, I reluctantly bookmarked textadventures and planned to review the site over the weekend.
This morning I made my way to textadventures and played a few quests and really enjoyed. A little research about text adventures led me to Zork. Amazed by its simplicity and possible educational value I did three things, first I emailed textadventures.
I am always looking for new ways to engage our students, currently within an English Department. I really think text based games could engage our students with significant educational benefits. In addition to the reading of the quest we benefit from the added requirement of writing, spelling and grammar.
From what little playing experience I have, I learnt that despite being able to progress with relatively basic reading and writing skills, Zork required quiet sophisticated thinking skills. I fear, that without some early successes, our young adventurers may become despondent.
Can you recommend a few age appropriate text adventures or quests or offer quest guides of mentors? To give you a marker, our Yr 7 students have a reading ages spanning 8-12 years.
In return for your assistance, any resources we develop at Hamble College, I will happily share with your community.
Second, intrigued I spent a little too long reading and researching text adventures games and the amazing history behind the phenomenal success of Zork. The top gaming title from 1981, 82, 83 and 84, grossing over $20 million. With subsequent title sales of in excess of 900,000, Zork was undoubtedly the Champ! Now, at this point, I thinking have I stumbled upon something special here? 30 years later,with the help of PHP coding, (webpage, command line programming) Zork is playable in the web-browser making it available to everyone, for free.
Finally, I tried to think how Zork could be used in the classroom. I am not saying that our Year 7 students are not enjoying’ Cloud Busting’ but how could you not be intrigued by this wonderful introduction…
Dungeon is a game of adventure, danger, and low cunning. In it you will explore some of the most amazing territory ever seen by mortal man. Hardened adventurers have run screaming from the terrors contained within.
In Dungeon, the intrepid explorer delves into the forgotten secrets of a lost labyrinth deep in the bowels of the earth, searching for vast treasures long hidden from prying eyes, treasures guarded by fearsome monsters and diabolical traps!
Although the ready is limited, text adventures have an ace up the sleeve, active participation. Oh and who or rather what looked that trap door behind me?
Note, at this point I have not yet discovered Quest 5
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