Maters Project ~ Youric
Youric is a single player interactive software environment that aims to equip both 11th and 12th grade high school students with the vocabulary they need to read Hamlet more efficiently and effectively. Envisioned to be a gateway activity, we chose the play Hamlet since it is one of the most challenging texts that high school students encounter. Studies have proven that the student’s difficulty in reading Hamlet stems primarily from their lack of vocabulary skills.

Youric advocates the use of the mixed method (both contextual and definitional) of vocabulary instruction. Not only will the learner derive the meaning of vocabulary words based on context, they will also be given definitional tools (i.e. learner may click on a vocabulary word and get a pop-up box containing the word meanings). These tools of scaffolding will gradually fade as the learner progresses in game level.