Brandt explains this dynamic by the example of two women secretaries who used the skills they obtained on the job later in life in a more meaningful way. An additional point Brandt makes about literary sponsors “pertains to the potential of the sponsored to divert sponsors’ resources toward ulterior projects” (Brandt 344). No matter what, someone or something contributed and influenced your literacy at various points throughout your life. Literary sponsors are essential and inevitable. Who knows? Maybe what I learned from a computer game at the age of eight could help me in the future? I could land a job, or get an A on a paper! Thanks “Type to Learn 3”! The game is a clear example of what Brandt attempted to show in her article. According to Brandt, literary sponsors and literacy in general are “one of the great engines of profit and competitive advantage in the 20 th century” (Brandt 333). It was a success! It effectively taught me how to type and I still take advantage of the information I unconsciously stored in my memory. The educational CD-ROM fulfilled one of Brandt’s main criteria for a literary sponsor. My first grade teacher for helping me learn to read, The Little Mermaid (my favorite movie), the games on the back of cereal boxes, but most of all my computer games and specifically “Type to Learn 3”. When reminiscing on my childhood a lot of remembrances jump out as literary sponsors. I guess some things never change… I wonder what will replace the iPhone?ĭeborah Brandt defines a “literary sponsor” as “any agents, local, or distant, concrete or abstract, who enable, support, teach, model … literacy” (Brandt 334). We, as a generation are OBSESSED with technology. It used to take twenty minutes to boot up a hard drive and wait for content to load in order to play a game, now simply tapping a four by two inch touch screen will get you there in seconds. What’s amazing is how our technology has evolved. Everyone uses it and let’s face it… we love it. Social media is like the new computer game. You can’t have one conversation without social media popping up. My phone is my life and in our society, modern technology rules all. With all the time I spend on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter I must use some of those helpful typing tips! Speaking of social media, I would have to say that my obsession with my iPhone is equivalent to my obsession with computer games as a third grader. I actually think I still use what I learned in those first three levels. Looking back, I should have given the computer game more long term attention. Unfortunately, my immense passion for the game quickly disappeared after the new “Putt Putt” computer game had been released. I wanted the game to be 100% complete to the best of my ability. For me, passing the lesson wasn’t enough I NEEDED the highest score possible. I would spend hours on the computer trying to beat the levels and earn as many badges as possible. Now, who wouldn’t want that? I was obsessed with the game. If you beat the game you got the title of “Star Typer”. As you proceeded throughout the game and successfully completed each lesson or “level” you got badges and moved on to harder typing activities. The Outer Space themed game taught you how to type on the keyboard by using timed games, helpful tips, and lessons. So my mom purchased a typing computer game, it was called “Type to Learn 3”. Of course my favorites involved Princesses and Barbie Dolls, but when I reached the third grade I wanted something more “mature”. I had every game possible Barbie, Disney, Mary-Kate and Ashley, Math, Art… any subject or brand, I had a computer game that went to it. My collection filled about two office desk drawers. In the 90’s computer games were the coolest things a second grader could have.
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