Language Arts Through Technovelgy

February 6th, 2008 by ClickSchooling Leave a reply »

Recommended Website:
Technovelgy

Age Range: 10 and up (with constant parental supervision, see note below)

On the Homefires Learning Calendar, I noticed that Jules Verne’s birthday was February 8th, 1828. Verne wrote science fiction classics such as “20,000 Leagues Under The Sea,” and “Journey To the Center of the Earth.” I decided to do a quick search for Jules Verne, and came across this website – Technovelgy.com. It enables you to explore the inventions and predictions of science fiction writers that are coming true in today’s world.

The website name is pronounced, “tek-novel-gee,” and according to the website owner:

“Technovelgy” is a combination of the words “technology” and “novel.” The word “novel” can refer to a book; it can also refer to something new or unique. And aren’t science fiction novels filled with fictional ideas and technologies that are new and unique? So, there you go.

There are over 1,475 different inventions archived at the site that were first introduced through the imaginations of science fiction writers. When you get to the site you can explore the featured items on the home page, or use the menu at the top of the page to search by Glossary, Author, Book, or Timeline. Once you find a topic that interests you, click on it and a new page opens. That page may contain some or all of the following:

  • A blurb from the novel mentioning the invention or idea.
  • Commentary about the idea including comparisons and similarities to other sci-fi technology mentioned in other novels, television shows, and movies.
  • Links to science articles that discuss the current development of these inventions and ideas in today’s world.
  • Links to real-world video demonstrations of the inventions.
  • Links to websites with further information.

If this doesn’t generate interest in reading a sci-fi novel, I don’t know what will. It will also springboard students to want to learn more about science and technology.

NOTE: I only reviewed a sampling of what’s available at this website, so AS ALWAYS, parents should preview and supervise their children’s exploration — not only to determine the suitability of content on the Technovelgy website, but because the links take you to other websites that I have not reviewed.

One more piece of advice: Read the FAQs (see link at the bottom of the homepage), I found them to be helpful and I think you will too. :)

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