Journal #5

Interaction Fiction Enhances Reality by Brendan Desilets (L&L)

Desilets' article focuses on language arts and technology. He discusses a computer-based form of literature called Interactive Fiction (IF) to get students involved in reading and learning basic features and elements of literature and reading strategies. Conventional reading, according to Desilets, doesn’t allow for constant interruptions, but IF is based on various interruptions because it forces students to take on an active role in creating the story they are reading. They can interact with the story by assuming the role of one of the characters in the story and making decisions about behavior and speech.


Question #1: How does a computer-based story help students?

IF is intriguing because it helps students learn to solve problems. There are a series of pauses in interactive fiction that force students to solve problems based on the reading. In these pauses, students take time to use unfamiliar words, in the story, to solve a larger puzzle that will give them clues about what a character needs to do in order to proceed further with the plot. Students become more involved with the reading and comprehension increases.

Question #2: How does IF helps students with problem solving?

IF helps students with problem solving by giving them opportunities to ask questions, within the computer program, to achieve a certain goal, and try to solve a problem based on the information given. Students learn to ask precise questions that make the characters successful in achieving their goals. Therefore, students are more aware of the information they are reading, more aware of potential solutions, and more aware of outcomes associated with the kinds of questions they ask. Students’ problem-solving skills play a vital role in reading these interactive stories, skills that are not as easily learned with traditional textbooks.