Tracing the history of "New Literacies"

Ok, I have to say it...

I know that Dr. Kist is a scholar in this area and we've already heard a great presentation from Rachel, but I'm still finding the genesis and growth in the areas of New Literacies, multiliteracies, digital literacies, out-of-school literacies, etc, etc, etc. difficult to describe. It feels like they ebb and flow together and separately depending on who you read and how he/she is using the theories. While I thought I was getting closer to understanding this history, at least in an elementary way, as my presentation and paper due date draw closer, I'm becoming more confused and intimidated by the prospect of explaining it to others.

Sometimes I wish studying was more like mowing the yard. When it's done, there is no more to do, and you can look back and admire your work and feel...done... Scholarship feels more like this treadmill where your end-goal keeps getting farther and farther away the more time you spend on it. :)