Walk into a world of literature.

Western Michigan University English professor Allen Webb remembers the difficulty his high school students had when trying to understand challenging novels. Working off the fact that so many kids love playing video games, he decided to create Web-based virtual reality environments about literary works. "How can those of us interested in traditional literature connect what we're doing to what these kids are good at doing?" he asked himself.

The first world he created is based on Chinua Achebe's Things Fall Apart, which takes place in late 19th century Africa and is written from the point of view of a tribesman. It's often hard for contemporary students to imagine life in an African village. Webb found a collection of black-and-white photos taken by an anthropologist around the time of the novel and used them to create the online world. He also incorporated music and put the characters from the novel into the village. Students can enter the village, pick up objects and communicate with each other in chat rooms.

Sites likes these are great for helping students with problem-solving, says Peggy Albers, an associate professor at Georgia State University. "Teachers can use these tools to encourage and explore relationships that aren't available in print-based text," says the former middle- and high school teacher. "In virtual worlds, students can learn to respond as a character might. It provides an overall richer experience for both the students and teacher."

Eve Eisenberg, who teaches English 9 and 10 at the Hunter-Tannersville (N.Y.) Central School, is thrilled with virtual worlds. "There's a general perception that language arts doesn't need access to technology, which frustrates me," says Eisenberg. She says virtual worlds are terrific for getting students to think creatively and hopes that more teachers will use them.

Thanks to a grant Webb recently received, Eisenberg might get her wish: Webb and a team of professors and doctoral students are developing several new worlds, including A Midsummer Night's Dream, 1984 and Brave New World.

www.literaryworlds.org