Sometimes evesdropping makes you smile.

[cedar_grove]

So, at the school today, the children were making 'Newspapers' using the computers. Reading the headlines of one or two of the children's news articles I read, "New Linking Book Discovered!" Odd, thought I, for children to be interested in something like Myst... so just to check I engaged in conversation about the game with a few of the boys. There followed the most enthusiastic conversation I've heard from children in a /long/ time. It seems that this particular school used Myst - Exile to encourage thinking and reasoning skills, as well as Language skills in the children.

Having told them about Myst V, the boys were all about finding End of Ages so they could play that too. It was a very pleasant surprise.

Comments

[gammans.livejournal.com]

Not so amazing that they would use the game as a tool for logic and reasoning. Exile is one of the hardest ones and because of that I think it is one of my favorites. I don't know about the 'human' sacrifice involved, but I still think it is a good tool, there's no doubt about it.

Do they know about the books? Of course I don't remember what age you're teaching so I don't know if the books are good for them, but it would be another way to get them involved in reading.

It is very exciting seeing a school willing to take steps like that, include what keeps the child's interest and helps them learn all at once.

[cedargrove.livejournal.com]

I don't think they know about the books, no. I teach the under 12 year olds, so... it might be a bit challenging for the poorer readers, but there's no reason why the better readers wouldn't enjoy them. They were /so/ enthusiastic about them, and hearing about the things they didn't know. Of course I tried not to give too much away...

[gammans.livejournal.com]

Of course you'd keep it from them. Ruins the fun. :)

[cedargrove.livejournal.com]

That's exactly what I told them when the were all "Oooh, tell us..." *chuckles*