Digital literacy links

Here are some links to research and information on digital media learning in the classroom:

Three researchers talking about their studies that were funded by the MacArthur Foundation of new digital literacies

Spotlight on Digital Media Learning at http://www.macfound.org

New Media Consortium for information on digital media learning

Circuit bent electronics on Yo Gabba Gabba!

You might have noticed on page 75 of our book there is a photo of a circuit bent Atari made by "noted circuit bender" Corey Busboom. Well, we weren't making that up: he really is someone to watch. You can spy one of his DIY creations being used by Devo on this Yo Gabba Gabba clip. You get a good look at it at 0:21 seconds in.



It's true! Devo frontman Mark Mothersbaugh bought a load of Corey's instruments from his show at Phoenix art gallery Trunk Space in December 2008. It's nice to see they are making use of them!

MAGFest!

I (Diana) spent New Year's 2010 in Alexandria, VA for MAGfest, a yearly convention for fans of video games, especially video game music. People from across the country and world go to this to see the finest in video game music bands, panel discussions and other events.

There were a bunch of cool old arcade game cabinets in the main area. I tried my hand at Tetris and Donkey Kong.

(This was New Year's Eve so many of the gaming aficionados were dressed up!)

Check out some of the neat game art/crafts that vendors had for sale there:

There were concerts every night by chiptune artists and video game cover bands. Here's a picture I took of one of my favorites, the OneUps, who do jazzy covers of video game songs:

This guy, known as Dauragon, performed original chiptunes via a sequencer on his Gameboy.

All in all, it was an awesome time and I can't wait to go back next time I can afford it!