Scaffolding Poetry Lessons Using Desktop Virtual Reality

This paper discusses the development of a courseware which is able to facilitate attractive and quality lessons in learning poetry for Form 1 students, based on the technology of computer graphics. The need for the development of the courseware was based upon a survey conducted in 2006 in which English Language was then a national issue. This lead to an idea to develop four learning modules which are presented in the form of an interactive virtual environment, called Interactive 3D Poem (I3DP). In order to make this courseware capable of meeting users’ needs, several steps were taken, which began by identifying suitable learning theories which could help to design the presentation of knowledge, collecting media resources related to the content and developing the prototype of the courseware. This paper also discusses the construction of its core components of instruction which is capable of increasing students’ independence and selfreliance, and also in enhancing students’ interest in learning poems.