This page is an archive of all the IF lesson plans on the blog and gives quick access to lesson procedures and corresponding materials.
IF interpreters for computer operating systems and mobile devices can be downloaded here (I recommend Gargoyle).
Most IF can be played online in an Internet browser using the Parchment interpreter here and at IPLAYIF.com.
Game: 9:05 by Adam Cadre (2000)
Level: Intermediate and up
Time needed to play: The game can actually be finished in 10 minutes by an experienced IF player. However, first time players may well take up to 30 minutes to reach the main expected ‘bad’ ending. In a 45 minute playing session, players may get to replay the game in order to explore the 3 different endings – and importantly, to corroborate what is described upon reaching the ‘bad’ ending.
Game file: get it from the Interactive Fiction Database and Adam Cadre’s official site.
Play online: from IPLAYIF.com or here.
Lesson procedure: 9:05 is implemented here as an introduction to IF, but the general framework is still applicable to any IF game and forms the basis for the lesson plans presented on IF ONLY.
Materials:
9:05 Difficult Vocabulary worksheet (Upper-Intermediate): 9:05 word list
9:05 map without descriptions:
9:05 map with descriptions:
Map with IF commands:
9:05 walkthrough/solution: use the spolier-proof version from JAYISGAMES.COM
Game: Lost Pig (And Place Underground) by Admiral Jota (2007)
Level: Intermediate and up
Time needed to play: 2-6 hours (the lesson plan suggests a 45-90 minute pair/group play in class and a further 90 minute whole-class playing session with help from the teacher in order to get through the whole game.
Game file: get it from the Interactive Fiction Database and official Lost Pig site. Download an interpreter from here.
Play online: from IPLAYIF.COM (Parchment interpreter – recommended) or JAYISGAMES (in a java window)
Lesson procedure: Check it out here.
Materials:
Lost Pig Difficult Vocabulary worksheet (Intermediate): LOSTPIG_VOCAB
Lot Pig Map without descriptions: LOSTPIG_MAP
Lost Pig Map with descriptions: LOSTPIG_MAP_DESCRIPTIONS
Map with IF commands: lostpigmap_vocab
Lost walkthrough/solution: get it at the Interactive Fiction Database or use the spolier-proof version from JAYISGAMES.COM
Game: Galatea by Emily Short (2000)
Level: Upper-Intermediate
Time needed to play: 45 – 60 minutes; Suggested pre-reading activity: 60 minutes
Lesson fit: It fits in nicely with the topics of ‘beauty’/’cosmetic surgery’ or ‘physical appearance’ – staples of Upper-Intermediate coursebooks; With regards to focus on form, it can also be tied to question forming and even reported speech/reported questions.
Game file: – get the Galatea.zblorb file from the Interactive Fiction Database and Emily Short’s site. Download an interpreter to play it here.
Play online: at iplayif.com
Lesson procedure: check it out here.
Materials:
Pre-reading task materials:
Worksheet with intro to ‘Pygmalion and Galtea’; ‘Pygmalion and Galatea’ difficult vocabulary list; List of song/paragraph titles
Adapted ‘Pygmalion and Galatea’ text (needs to be cut into paragraph strips)
Galatea hints/walkthroughs: WARNING – VIEW ONLY AFTER PLAYING A FEW TIMES
Game: The Count by Scott Adams (1979)
Level: Pre-Intermediate
Time needed to play: 45 – 60 minutes (not to completion); Suggested pre-reading activity: 45 minutes
Lesson fit: Links nicely to Halloween-themed lessons or topics of horror/fear.
Game file: If using Windows, try this interpreter with this game file (unzip the game file first). NOTE: This interpreter has a very clean interface, and it can be run from a USB drive. However, it may be prone to crashes and bugs. If having the 3-pane interpreter (with the room description at the top, game output in the middle and player input at the bottom) is not a priority, use Gargoyle (Windows or Mac) with this Z-code game file (be sure to unzip the game file first).
Play online: at http://www.freearcade.com/Zplet.jav/Count.html or http://www.ifiction.org/games/playz.php (this one has a lot more lag than freecade). These browser-based games are only recommended only as a last resource, as the SAVE and LOAD GAME commands do not work.
Lesson procedure: check it out here.
Materials:
Pre-reading task materials:
The Count Difficult Vocabulary List
Dracula text-reconstruction activity
The Count – Vocabulary and commands
Post-reading materials:
The Count Encrypted Hint-sheet (doesn’t give away unneeded clues)
The Count Non-encrypted Hint-sheet
The Count detailed walkthrough
The Count quick walkthrough
The Count Map (blank)
The Count Map (completed)
The Count Map (completed with solution)
IF Only: 