Naruto, Persepolis and Simulation Games

I just finished reading Naruto and Perspolis several days ago, and I must say that I enjoyed the novels more than I thought I would. I realize that many people did not like Naruto, or at least the few people I talked to, and I have to say that in a way I agree. I just could not get into the novel itself, yet I found that the visual designs were captivating. I do understand how it could get a little busy and confusing at times, but I feel as though there is some great artistry in that novel that could help struggling students. I also liked how the characters reactions to what was happening in the novel was evident in their face and body, unlike Persepolis. Then again, I absolutely LOVED Persepolis.

The drawings were rather different in that graphic novel, and it almost reminded me of something you would see on an Egyptian temple. Or maybe I am stretching that a little bit, but I still felt that the visual design went with the story itself. The use of just black and white was very vivid, and I liked how it was a little more organized than Naruto.

I would definately teach Persepolis in the classroom, and I think that my students would really enjoy the story, the graphics, and the concepts within the book. I think it would give them a mush needed break from traditional texts. I love the traditional texts, but lets face it, times are changing and we need to as well. It is not going to slow down or stop, it is just going to keep changing and moving. I don't want to be the teacher that knows nothing about her student's lives, and I think keeping an open mind to everything that is out there can help me find creative and useful multi modal literacies to help my students get the best education I can give them.

Which brings me to another point. I just signed up with Twitter. I keep hearing about how great it is, yet I don't personally know too many people that use it. In fact I didn't really know what it was all about until I went to the website to check it out. Well, I signed up for it. It is not much fun since I don't have any followers and I am not follwing anyone yet, but I am not sure I will ever be able to get into it. It is all about status updates! Yes, I care about what my friends are doing, but I don't need to be reminded fifty thousand times a day about EVERYTHING they are doing. But I am still going to give it a try and see what happens. You never know, I might become addicted to that as well as everything else. Just another thing to keep me occupied and away from school work. lol

And finally I loved the simulation games we played in class today. I have plyed them before in come of my other classes here at Kent State, but I can't remember doing many when I was in high school. I think this would be an excellent way to break up the class time and give students a chance to switch gears and get rejuvenated. If you are sitting there all day long in every class listening to lectures, it gets boring. Then kids become restless, which can lead to things getting out of hand and them not learning anything. I think these activites would not only be a great learning experience, but it would just be fun too. I had a lot of fun playing the games and I am 23 years old. If I can enjoy it I think someone in high school can as well.

Well I am going to go Twitter now. I am not sure if I will be doing it for much longer, but I am going to at least give it a try.

Second Life and Wireless Novels

The other day in class, I was exposed to Second Life for the first time ever. Now perhaps I am old-fashioned, or maybe just not technologically that savy, but I found it a little creepy. I think it also has something to do with a little research I did on avatars and the whole experience of it all for a communication class. Some of the research is a little disturbing and I just feel as though chatting to people that you have no clue about, such as where they are from, who they are, if they are really what they say they are, all of that is just a little... creepy. I apologize if I upset some of you out there, but that is just my opinion. Nonetheless, it was interesting! I am not sure if I would ever become a fan of using this since I just feel that my time is better spent reading, doing homework, or my new favorite thing to do in my spare time-- dream about owning the Kindle 2 with a massive library collection of 250,000 books. (I am so weird, right?) But I don't really know how I would incorporate that into the classroom, or even if I would feel ok doing that.

As for the cell phone novels in I (heart) novels, I had never once heard of that before in my life! Just thinking about texting over 300 pages of a novel over you cell phone makes my fingers hurt just thinking about it! Granted, it was over a period of time, it is still mind blowing. I also did not know how important those cell phones really were to the people of Japan, nor was I aware of how important it is for so many of them to remain unknown authors. I could not believe how it sparked a war between the readers of these novels, (which apparently were many since most of the best seller list comprised of these novels) and also between the men and women that were on the side of "traditional" literature. Then again, I guess it is the same thing with this huge Twilight craze, just more anonymous and more at stake.

And speaking of Twilight, I have yet to read a single book! I am not sure if I will actually enjoy them, but I remember my students going nuts over them last semester, and I really want to know what is so great about them. I refuse to see the movie until I read the book, so I better get on that since they are making another one. I think. lol I really need to keep up with all this stuff. But I think that would make an excellent edition to my crazy-expensive-cool-wish-I-had-it Kindle! Anyone want to help a poor college student by buying me the Kindle so I can expose my students to so many (250,000) novels that could enhance their life on so many different levels? Any takers? Please?