What are "New Literacies"?

Literacy, the way we read and write,our most basic form of communication, is and has changed. We have advanced the way in which we communicate in many different ways. From writing letters to emailing. In this digital age of communicating our new literacies consist of blogging,using social networks, gaming online, e-books,virtual worlds, im's, text's, and a host of other digital technologies that have took us far beyond the paper back books, the type writer, and the telephone.
New Literacies in the classroom are now an essential part of education. I am a Substitute Teacher and there is not one school that I have visited that does not have a computer in each classroom. (Pre-k .... 12) This preparation is necessary to give our youth the competitive advantage that this digital age demands. Every curriculum incorporates and encourages the use of New Literacies. The continued advancement of technologies means that our literacies must also advance at the same rate. The biggest advantage is having all the information just a click away.

Sylvester's Tomb Raider Adventure

It has been a very rough week learning to play my game. I get frustrated when I can't remember how to make her move or jump a certain way. It is also very irritating trying to remember which direction the secret items are hidden in because you need them to advance through certain phases of the game. But I think the turning point for me is when the screen froze up and i could not continue with the game. I believe I experienced a total meltdown emotionally. Mostly anger though. It seems as if the disk I have is scratched beyond use. It will only play up to a certain point in the first level. So I have been to several stores looking for the original version of Tomb Raider for PS2, but no one has it. I have no other choice but to buy this other updated version of Tomb Raider that I have never played before. Maybe this will be a good thing.
I will start over fresh. I was hoping to find the game that I had but it seems that it is to ancient for any store to carry. I even looked on eBay and seen one but it would take to long to ship. So I will just buy the one I seen in a store locally and see if there are any directions either at an official website or find some codes that will give me the things I enjoyed on my game. I love Laura Croft. I believe the way they drew the character and the things she can do in the game are really appealing. I hope as I share the details of the new updated Tomb Raider everyone who reads the blog will come to enjoy it as much as I do.

Why should I learn about video games?

Why do many adults avoid or discount video games?
Why are others so obsessed?

After reading the introduction and chapter 2 of Gee's book it would be easy to say that some older, very mature in age adults are set in their ways and will never use a computer much less attempt to play a video game. Adults who are of a progressive nature will take on such tasks. Curiosity drives many people to try things that will get them out of their comfort zone. It truly is a different way of communicating for there are many ways to get connected with an entirely different social network of people. They are learning new problem solving techniques. The critical thinking builds bridges to new ideas and opens doors for a wide range of relationships to develop. I believe the avoidance comes from a fear of the unknown and the failures that come with it. Some see it as a waste of time because they feel it is targeted towards a younger audience. Many are simply uninformed and unaware of the technology. They turn their heads to what is obviously taking the whole wold to a global community.
The obsession, is a thirst, that can't be quenched. Some people will spend hours, days, weeks, or months networking different virtual worlds. The competitive nature takes control. There maybe rewards or incentives, perhaps monetary, or certifications, or recognitions that keep the interest peaked. The fantasy is fulfilled in many different ways. Or maybe they just want to finish a difficult game.

Sylvester begins to tackle the original tomb raider

It took me a day or two to look through the games i had to find my tomb raider disc only to find that it was scratched. So i had to find a store that sold the one i wanted to play. There are so many other updated versions out now. I have a ps2 so i have to find one that will play on that unit. So when I found one i bought it at the mall in one of those trading video game stores. It didn't come with the book to guide you through each level, and i can't find the book that i had. So I have to start from scratch. What I like about this game is that it has many different levels and you must master certain moves to advance to the next level. There are cheat codes that I will be seeking to get unlimited ammunition and extra life, but for now I am playing the game at a slow pace looking for all the secret clues. Walking and jumping and flipping seems to be challenging since i haven't done this in a while. Shooting the wild animals that jump at you while running from them is exciting. This game takes a lot of patience to play, and without the guide book you have to find all the secret clues and items because you need them at random moments in the game. It takes hours to get through one level, but I am going to learn some new ways to navigate the path that i must go down. I can't swim in real life, and My Lara Croft seems to have similar problems. It will a learning experience for me and my character.

The Effect of Screen Media on Children

My opinion on this topic comes from observing children in different settings and environments, such as school and just observing different age groups of children in my community asthey play and interact with each other and the adults that they come in contact with. My opinion is that the negative effects out weight the positive. The negative language, the skimpy fashion, and the attitude I often encounter. The conversations I hear are related to what is popular in the media. In all the schools I substitute teach in the children have become so immersed and influenced by media that every electonic device they own is attaced to inside the classroom and you cannot separate the bond. The media's influence is so strong and getting stronger every day. The educational value that the media has is probably its most positive effect. The only draw back is the corporate entity behind it that fuels it and directs it. It certainly is a controversial topic will be for quite some time to come.

How do you Learn?

I look at the way people learn from a biological perspective, the way in which the brain works, which I believe is part of a learning cycle. 1) To sense information (the sensory cortex) 2) To reflect on and integrate new information into what is already known (integrative cortex) and 3) to create mental or physical movement (motor cortex). Children must develop an understanding of what it is that stimulates or motivates them to want to engage in an activity that will bring a sense of accomplishment. That is the easiest way for them to learn. I happen to be a visual learner. I have always been a better hands on learner when it comes to learning. Children's understanding grows with rich experiences. Young children, often underestimated, absorb knowledge like a sponge. We want them to excel in all their developmental stages, but some parents, at times lack the will to let their full potential sore due to fear of dissappointment.

At my age I find it easier to learn by being resourceful, that is by independant research and networking. I also learn through and from the experiences ihad in life. Making the transition from infant to toddler to adolescent to adult has been the greatest learning experience. The amount of trial and error, success and failures, and a determination to exceed to higher levels in life, keeps my mind sharp, and my drive strong and yearning to reach my full potential. I feel that I have a lot more to do. The fact that I'm in graduate school makes me feel good and the program that I am a part of tells me that I have a lot more to learn still. I never blogged before, and all the new technology I'm being exposed to and using helps me to keep moving forward and be progressive in this learning process.