Final Fantasy Tactics: Info Lit Skills in Action

Back in September I plugged many late hours into Final Fantasy Tactics Advance. A game that I bought a few years ago, played a little, and let it sit as I returned to finish another game. That was two years ago, and a recent essay from ToastyFrog's site rekindled my interest.

Then in October I've spent a good amount of "blogging vacation" time playing Final Fantasy Tactics: The Lions War. It's a great remake of a classic game. I'm only a few hours into the game and I'll probably end up investing over 50+ hours into the game. Many gamers have played over 100+ hours of the game with it's complex job system and character skill sets.

Final Fantasy Tactics: The Lions War is much deeper and complex both in story and gameplay compared to FFT Advance, but both apply a large number of information literacy skills in order to process through the game and succeed.

1.1b. Develops a thesis statement and formulates questions based on the information need

1.1c. Explores general information sources to increase familiarity with the topic

1.1d. Defines or modifies the information need to achieve a manageable focus

1.2d. (e.g.,popular vs. scholarly, current vs. historical)

1.4a. Reviews the initial information need to clarify, revise, or refine the question

1.4b. Describes criteria used to make information decisions and choices

2.1a. (e.g., laboratory experiment,simulation, fieldwork)

2.1b. Investigates benefits and applicability of various investigative methods

2.2a. Develops a research plan appropriate to the investigative method

2.2b. Identifies keywords, synonyms and related terms for the information needed

2.2.e Implements the search strategy in various information retrieval systems using different user interfaces and search engines, with different command languages, protocols, and search parameters

2.4b. Identifies gaps in the information retrieved and determines if the search strategy should be revised

3.1a. Reads the text and selects main ideas

3.3a. Recognizes interrelationships among concepts and combines them into potentially useful primary statements with supporting evidence

3.3b. Extends initial synthesis, when possible, at a higher level of abstraction to construct new hypotheses that may require additional information

3.4b. Uses consciously selected criteria to determine whether the information contradicts or verifies information used from other sources

3.4c. Draws conclusions based upon information gathered

3.4f. Integrates new information with previous information or knowledge

3.4g. Selects information that provides evidence for the topic

3.7a. Determines if original information need has been satisfied or if additional information is needed

3.7b. Reviews search strategy and incorporates additional concepts as necessary

4.1b. Articulates knowledge and skills transferred from prior experiences to planning and creating the product or performance

4.2b. Reflects on past successes, failures, and alternative strategies

images from IGN.com