EDUC 6809 Weekly Reading #7

No Selling the Genie Lamp: A Game Literacy Practice in The Sims

Summary:

This article talks about the many different types of literacies; how there are multiple ways in which we read and write.  Some of them are traditional, while others incorporate 21st century skills.  Gaming is one type of literacy.  This article details the game, The Sims, where players take on a role and participate in a virtual world.  In this game players have many opportunities to "read" and "write".  The player has to understand what is going on in this virtual world as well as be able to respond and play in it.

What I Learned:

From this article I learned that game literacy has the potential for a deeper learning.  Players are not just passively playing a game.  They are engrossed in it; having to take in what is going on and make decisions on how to proceed.  Gaming is just one form of literacy that makes up all the literacies for how we communicate.

Quote;

"Playing a game is at one and the same time a form of consuming (reading or understanding the design features and content of the game) and producing (writing or enacting the game by playing it)."

I chose this quote because before I began taking these classes I never would have thought online games to be so complex.  Now, I can see how players are reading and writing, just in a different way.  All forms of literacy are important, because, like I said above, put together they make up how we communicate in this world and with each other. 

Source

Hayes, E. R. & Gee, J. P. (2010). No Selling The Genie Lamp: a game literacy practice in The Sims. Retrieved from: http://www.wwwords.co.uk/pdf/validate.asp?j=elea&vol=7&issue=1&year=2010&article=6_Hayes_ELEA_7_1_web


Teens and Social Media in School and Public Libraries (article of my choice)

Summary:

This article talks about what social media is and how it can be used to facilitate learning in school.  In this article you will find many good examples of ways for teachers to incorporate social media into the curriculum.  Some examples include creating a Facebook page for a historical figure or creating a class blog.

What I Learned:

I found some great ideas for ways to incorporate social media into the classroom.  I used many of the examples in my Media Ecology Case Study.  The young person I interviewed is heavily involved with social media, as are her friends.  The examples from the article teach you how to connect the interest in social media to learning activities.  These activities would be highly motivating and engaging for someone like the young girl I interviewed.

Quote:

"Social media has many positive uses in schools and libraries.  It provides an ideal environment for teens to share what they are learning...allows teens to receive feedback...create a sense of community."

I chose this quote because I love the collaboration opportunities that social media can provide for learning.  Students are able to share what they are learning with their peers, instead of just the teacher.  Students can also receive feedback on what they are posting.  I believe this would be highly motivating because teens care so much about what their peers think of them.  I also like how it brings everyone together.

Source

Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA). (February 2011). Teens and Social Media in School and Public Libraries. Retrieved from http://www.ala.org/yalsa