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The Narrative Theater


The objective of this project is to design, build, and empirically evaluate an interactive creativity environment that facilitates the exploration of alternate representations in the creative process.   The concept of representation is central in creativity, and the Narrative Theatre offers an ideal “laboratory” for investigating multiple representations in the creative process because stories can be expressed in rich text and re-represented in animated stories with accompanying narration and spoken dialogue.  In the Narrative Theatre, students are assisted in crafting a more sophisticated narrative writing product via a virtual world where characters “come alive” to animate their stories.  The Narrative Theater provides an appealing and dynamic environment that enhances 7th grade students’ creativity and improves writing achievement. 

The Narrative Theater is funded by a grant from the National Science Foundation and is directed by the team of Dr. James Lester (Computer Science) and Dr. Hiller Spires (Curriculum and Instruction).  This work is shaped by previous game-based learning projects that focus on 8th grade science.

This project reflects the Friday Institute’s goals of and commitments to connecting research and innovative classroom practices that are relevant, engaging and appropriate for the 21st century.  This 3-year project will end in August of 2011.

PROJECT TEAM