Digital Play

By kylemawer 　http://www.digitalplay.info/blog/2010/03/12/sci-fi-reader/

Level: Upper intermediate/ Advanced

Topic:  Sci -fi

Language skill: Reading

Game: Morningstar

When your spaceship ‘Morningstar’ mysteriously crashes on an alien planet you have to help an injured crew member, escape from the ship, explore a planet to look for supplies to repair your ship and finally take off and get away.

Screenshot from ‘Morningstar’

This is a great game for learners interested in mysteries, point and click games and sci-fi.  They also get to practice reading for pleasure outside the classroom.

Radio Messages

During play you can get help by clicking on the RADIO button and listening to or reading what the Captain has to say.

Finding Objects

When you find an object you get information about what it’s called, what it does and how you may need to use it in the game.  Sometimes to use an objects it needs to be combined with another.

If you introduce the game in class you can focus on any interesting language you or your learners identify.

Introduce the game in class even if your intention is for your learners to read it at home.  By playing the game in class you emphasize the importance of the text and orientate your learners towards reading.

Interesting Language:

adjectives + noun (chromium alloy wrench)

Informally expressing opinion (I bet I can . . .)

word formation (unscrew – verb, screw – verb/ noun)

quantifiers (just about anything).

Encourage your learners to record any interesting language they come across to look at in class.

The Inventory bar

As you find objects they get stored in your inventory, which is displayed at the bottom of the screen.  As the inventory display fills up learners may need to use the arrows on either side of the inventory window to scroll back and forth.

If a learner needs to remind themselves about what an item is called (for example, when a radio message suggests they use it) they can click on any of the items, drag and drop it on the magnifying glass and read the object information.

The Walkthrough

Of course with most games there is a way to ‘cheat’. by using a walkthrough.  The link to the walkthrough is near the RADIO button (next row down on the right).  Clicking on this directs you to a video of the game and a written walkthrough giving instructions on how to complete the game.

Learner’s should be discouraged from using these as it reduces not only both the enjoyment of and involvement in the story of the game but it also reduces reliance on the bulk of the radio messages.

Remember Reading this game should be for pleasure and play and not just language practice.

Reading Task

You could ask your learners to answer these questions:

Who are you?  Who are the crew members?  What does your ship look like?  What happened to your ship?  What’s on the planet?  What do you think happened?