Myst
Why the interest in Myst?
Teachers know a good resource when they see it. They can make informed judgements about how a resource may engage with and extend learning in their classrooms and whether or not their use of it would be manageable. This clip shows how the ICT Development Officer decided why she felt that Myst was a resource worth exploring with teachers in her local authority. The class teacher also talks about why the resource was something that he thought would work with his pupils.
Why not download Adobe Flash Player and watch the video online?
The motivating power of Myst
Here we see the classroom teacher who has been using Myst with his P7 class talking about the motivational power of the Myst writing project. He talks of improved focus behaviour during writing lessons due to the fact that the children are all on task and engaged with the mystery world that unfolds before them. The children also talk about how Myst has helped them to think properly, explain that it provides them with an experience that never makes them ‘get stuck’ and that it has made writing during Myst lessons an enjoyable aspect of school life.
Why not download Adobe Flash Player and watch the video online?
Myst helps to improve writing
The motivational factor that Myst appears to have had in this class is exemplified by the teacher’s account of how one reluctant writer has been engaged and motivated to write, thanks to Myst. The teacher discusses how this boy’s attitude to, and performance in, writing has been transformed by the Myst experience. One pupil’s account of how Myst has made him want to write more than he ever has before is further example of how this game has impacted in a positive manner on writing in this class.
Why not download Adobe Flash Player and watch the video online?
Reluctant writers now want to write
One of the tasks that the teacher has employed when using Myst is to walk through the introductory screens in the game and as he does this he asks the children to write down what they see. Having worked on their writing for this task the children then read out what they have written as the teacher navigates through the game. Here we see one boy reading his friend's work.
Why not download Adobe Flash Player and watch the video online?
A girl reads her Myst story
Here we see one of the girls reading her piece of writing that describes the opening scenes in Myst. As she reads her piece, try to follow what is happening on the whiteboard. The teacher has tried to get the children to focus as much as possible on making their writing as descriptive as possible. Listen to some of the descriptive language used; could you visualise the scene if the images were not there?
Why not download Adobe Flash Player and watch the video online?
Does Myst stifle imagination?
If the imagery and plot within the world of Myst is so rich and vivid, how exactly is children’s imagination being challenged if everything is there for them? Here we see the class teacher countering this criticism of the game.