So I was thinking...

When I was supposed to be doing my math homework, about my math homework. It came about the first week of the semester. The teacher told us we would not be needing the $150 book I bought,  because we could purchase it online. However, even that would be unnecessary.  Hold up, Teach. What's the scam? A math class without a book? So we are going to listen to you talk and take notes and then just take tests? Does this mean no homework?!

Needless to say, I was stoked.

But then he kindly informed us that in turn for not buying a book, and all, we need to buy the homework online. Wait. What did this fool just say?! Yup. We have to BUY our homework. wait. ONLINE? how are we supposed to do math homework in Calc 2 online? Well I was upset, and unsure if I would like it. But now, being 9 weeks into the semester, I find that i like it better than the conventional form of Math homework. Although there are some glitches that if you input the answers into the wrong format or use the wrong variable because of habit or something it will count you wrong, but the teacher has the power to override the system if you bring it up. So this nifty little website gives you the question, and a spot to put the answers. It also offers help on some of them including a read about it- where it shows you the pages in the book where the topic is covered, a watch it- where you can see the instructor doing and explaining a similar problem, and a master it- where you actually do another problem that is graded step by step. Its actually a sweet program that i'm sure will be seen in more classrooms in the future. 

Go math!

The introduction of the iPad...

should be a holiday! psych...

Look, we've all already decided, and I have already blogged about this. But why not look at it from a different angle? From that of a dedicated college student.

Can you see me, there, in the background? No? You have to look through the back window... I'm not in the library, I'm outside... Still can't see? Let me zoom in...

(At least I spelled 'College' right)

So what I'm getting after here is that the iPad, if programmed a little better, and switched around for the new audience, could be brilliant for a college student. Its about the size of a standard laptop, but with no flipping, it is a bit lighter, but still the size of any folder. So it fits easily in any drawstring bag or backpack, or can be carried by hand. So if the price was dropped down a little, this could be an essential to any college life. With the downloading of textbooks being so much cheaper than buying them hardcover, as long as they are all available online, this could be a huge moneymaker for both Apple and textbook companies. with the Wi-Fi enabled, the students could access their work from just about anywhere and not be dragged down by the weak wireless connection of the University or the constant switching of networks. I don't think the iPad will do well as a computer, but if students could use it as an electronic textbook and a presentation board, this will be a homerun hitter for Apple and textbook companies. But goodluck getting them to work together. Even if the schools want it. Especially seeing as the schools could make these necessities and run their programs through these 'laptops'.

It takes two to tango...

IT IS MARCH. And everyone knows what that means, grab your brackets, your favorite pizza and nachos combo, a cold one, and a bunch of friends- it is time to dance! That's right folks, step right up and watch 65 teams full grown college boys aided by old old men run up and down a 94 foot wooden heaven for 40 minutes. Could it get any better than this?! Well it could if my team was in it...

They played awful this year, even as defending champs.

"What is this, Amateur Hour?"

No, well, yes, actually. This is a college tournament, so technically...

Bottom line- This is the greatest time of the year. Why? Because basketball is everywhere. No- not the garbage that they sell tickets to and call the NBA, and its more structured than even the summer league at the Rucker, this is basketball at its finest. The competition is fierce, the intensity is high, and the fans are crazy. 

I hate Duke, but that shot by Laettner? Well done.


CBS is the television home for the NCAA Men's basketball championship this year, as they have been the past few years. So yes, we have to put up with the terrible commentating and play by play that consists of obvious observations and wrong analysis. But they have a website. Why is this good? scratch that... Why is this superb? because then I can have a game on my tv, as many as I want running on my computer, and not have to pay attention to anyone thats talking. Turn up the music and announce the game in my head. That's the best part about college basketball. Even if your team isn't in it, it is still college basketball. There is still that excitement in everygame, still strategy, still emotion, still the feeling like you are there. No matter what the game is, wether it be my Tar Heels playing at home vs those duke-boys, or if its Oakland against Rockford two schools nobody hears about in D1 basketball, I still love to watch. So with that said, thank you technology and thank you CBS for using it to put all the games online... With a mute button. 

Tell us, Mr. Vitale- Who is the cinderella at this ball?

Oh you can't? Because CBS isn't worthy of your basketball expertise?

Shame.

Smart Mobs

Smart mobs, a bunch of wise guys. I had heard about these groups a year or two back. I was told about Improv Everywhere, a group that performs theses flash mobs and freeze mobs. They have been spotted all over the world doing dances or "pausing" real life. There isn't much of a purpose other than for entertainment for this group. However, these massive groups as a whole can be very persuasive and very powerful. Jaw dropping numbers showing up randomly at places can have an incredible effect on the event they are protesting.






Back home, a group of us almost got one of these organized. There was a farmers market downtown and we were all going to perform a dance or try the frozen approach, there were about 40 of us. But we got the dates wrong on the market, so we missed out. 
Oh well. Maybe next year?

Networking

I watched the Social Networking War video recently that was on Moodle. It was very interesting. It was well done and clever.




There was a lot of truth put into this short little skit. Social Networks temporarily take over the world. The way Xanga dominated 7 years ago, followed my the ever-so-popular Myspace 5 or 6 years ago, and currently Facebook. It seems like everyone wants to be the next big tool to interact with people technologically. They all seem to start well, but eventually become too overrun, too complicated, or too unorganized in an attempt to continue to put out new things or add on. Myspace became a place for "skanky pictures of skanky people doing skanky things" in addition to the reckless amounts of pointless bulletins, Myspace hit a wall. However, Facebook seems to be doing much better. There are people who claim addiction, and in some cases it seems true. I like this video's ending because it shows the ease at which you can release yourself from the virtual world. Simply logging off will take away all the distractions, all the things popping up, and all the people that are virtually your friends. The video suggests moving to the real world once again, and I think there is a need for this. Hooray for facebook, its a great tool. But some people never log off. Sometimes, there are better things you can do with your life. 

Like prepare for the next Nathan's Famous July Fourth International Hot Dog Eating Contest!

"There's no crying in baseball!"

So what is it with crying in athletics? I'm an athlete, I know how emotions rise real high in competition. I understand losing and shedding a tear as you come up just a bit short especially at the olympics. 4 years of training to just come up a few points short? I even understand crying when you win a big game or event. The overwhelming power of emotions that overcome you. The realization that all the hard work and all those people involved have paid off and you have reached the pinnacle. But What is this Danish Girl's problem? Get a tissue honey, and step off the ice.


So the fans try to mess you up a little on their turf, while your competing against their countrymen? What did you expect? a standing O when you do well? I don't care if it is curling or golf or football, at this level, you should be able to deal with some crowd noise. There should be a level of concentration where you can tune them out or at least focus primarily on your next move rather than worrying about the mean old fat man said from the 12th row.

Ok, he might be a little distracting. But this is an Eagles fan, not a Canadian curling fanatic. Call me crazy, but Miss Danish Lady, you are at the Olympics. Be happy you made it. Be happy you have that ability. And have the composure not to let a couple knuckleheads get you so worked up that you miss two potential game winners. You had two opportunities, don't blame the fans for you not being mentally prepared. GO CANADA:

--A Canadian bloke is walking down the street with a case of beer under his arm.
His friend Randy stops him and asks, "Hey Dave! Whatcha got that case of beer for?"
"Well, I got it for my wife, you see?" answers Dave.
"Wow," exclaims Randy, "Great trade."--

Temple Grandin

Temple Grandin is an interesting woman. I have not seen the movie, so I am not all too familiar with her life other than what was said in the presentation and from the murmurs I overheard while there. I think there were two main points I really took away at a personal level from her presentation:

1. I learned a little about myself. Now I'm not saying there is anything life altering in this, but she spoke a lot of visual learning, seeing pictures and watching movies in your head. That is how I am. That's how my brain works. So a lot of what she said, I could relate to. Some of the things she suggested, I can use to train my brain as well.

2. Problem solving with the application towards learning. When she was answering questions, there were a couple about how to get disabled children to learn, and she simply said have them learn in relation to their interests. I figured, just because they are mentally handicapped, we are not that much different? So if I need to learn something, why not relate it to basketball? I think she had a point. And i think that if done correctly, with practice, it will only be beneficial.