I found an article in the May 2006 Learning and Leading with Technology that kind of brought me back to my technological roots. An article by Richard Dillon described Quest – software for writing text-based adventure games. My original academic research interest was in the development of reading skills and I learned BASIC and assembly language coding for the Apple II in order to write programs that would create and run adventure games. My interest was in using adventure games to study and possibly develop reading skills. Sure enough, better readers could move through the levels of the games I created more efficiently. As things seem to go, I moved on to new projects and never had the time to return to what I still think is a good idea. I wonder if 4th graders would think text adventure games are still fun?
Quest turns out to be a Windows only application, but I thought others may take a look. Dillon’s focus is on using the application for student writing. I still think well designed games have potential to challenge reading skills. Hey, if you don’t comprehend, you end up stuck in the 4th level.
