A fresh spin on Shakespeare: Stratford Studios releases hip interactive software to unlock the timeless value of literature; Romeo+Juliet CD-ROM offers powerful and engaging tools for 17 million teenagers assigned Shakespeare annually.SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 6, 1997--Stratford Studios, Inc. announced today the availability of Romeo+Juliet, the first interactive CD-ROM CD-ROM: see compact disc. CD-ROM in full compact disc read-only memory Type of computer storage medium that is read optically (e.g., by a laser). designed to help students understand and enjoy literature. Collaborating with hundreds of students and teachers, Stratford Studios identified common barriers to understanding and discussing literature. Based on the leading practices of literature instruction and the requirements of a teenage market, Romeo+Juliet offers games, interactive studios, and a full audio performance of Shakespeare's tragic love story. Stratford Studios' innovative approach to teaching Shakespeare represents a departure from the traditional strategy of presenting a wealth of information about Shakespeare, his lifetime, culture and works. Instead, Stratford Studios' leverages teenage experiences and pop culture to involve the student in Romeo and Juliet Romeo and Juliet star-crossed lovers die as teenagers. [Br. Lit.: Romeo and Juliet] See : Death, Premature Romeo and Juliet archetypal star-crossed lovers. [Br. Lit. . The interface resonates with teenagers by using the language and imagery most popular with the 17 million American teenagers required to read Shakespeare annually. "This is unlike any literature product I have ever seen," said Andy Sheehan, consultant with Booz-Allen & Hamilton Hamilton, city, Bermuda Hamilton, city (1990 est. pop. 3,100), capital of Bermuda, on Bermuda Island. It is a port at the head of Great Sound, a huge lagoon and deepwater harbor protected by coral reefs. . Romeo+Juliet features five games, three interactive studios, and a full audio performance. The CD-ROM builds skills in creative writing, reading comprehension Reading comprehension can be defined as the level of understanding of a passage or text. For normal reading rates (around 200-220 words per minute) an acceptable level of comprehension is above 75%. , character analysis and literary interpretation, as well as teaches and tests knowledge of poetic devices, vocabulary and world history. "Romeo+Juliet succeeds on two levels. One, it's a tremendous tool for generating excitement about Shakespeare. Two, it reinforces key ideas about multiculturalism multiculturalism or cultural pluralism, a term describing the coexistence of many cultures in a locality, without any one culture dominating the region. , literary analysis, dramatic structure and world history," said Donna Alexander, English teacher. The foundation of Romeo +Juliet is the play itself, including sidenotes presented by Dr. Wacko (Shakespeare scholar, Dr. Bruce Avery, SFSU SFSU San Francisco State University (California) ), and scene-by-scene critical debates between four teenagers, as well as illustrations, hyperlinked footnotes, and scene summaries. The five games use speed bonuses, host characters, points and prizes to entice students while teaching them character and quote identification, plot, characterization A rather long and fancy word for analyzing a system or process and measuring its "characteristics." For example, a Web characterization would yield the number of current sites on the Web, types of sites, annual growth, etc. , poetic devices and vocabulary. The three interactive studios allow students to write creatively, experiment with dramatic structures, analyze characters and imagine the play from different cultural perspectives. Students cast the play, costume costume, distinctive forms of clothing, including official or ceremonial attire such as ecclesiastical vestments, coronation robes, academic gowns, armor, and theatrical dress. the characters and write the sequel to Romeo and Juliet. Pricing and Availability Romeo+Juliet is a cross-platform (Mac/Win) CD-ROM selling for $49.99, with Teacher's Manual. Call 888/YO-BILLY to place orders. CONTACT: Stratford Studios Kelly Corrigan, 415/921-8576 |
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