I count myself lucky this semester to have been assigned more than just the usual type of textbook. Many of my classes have assigned actual books (books which someone might pick up outside of college). I was enjoying reading these today, so I thought I'd tell you a bit about my thoughts on the future of textbooks...
I never pass on an opportunity to recommend a book I've enjoyed, or ask people about opinions on books I want to read. Here's the unorthodox textbooks I've been assigned this semester:
All the Shah's Men by Stephen Kinzer, about the United State's involvement in overthrowing Prime Minister Mossadegh in Iran, and the consequences of this action.
The Fifties by David Halberstam, a rather unique collection of stories about what made the fifties the way they were... From TV to the Beats to Elvis, Halberstam's got it all.
The Omnivore's Dilemma by Michael Pollan, not one I've actually read yet (we're doing it in class in a week or so), but I believe it's about how our food is grown, what we choose to eat, etc.
The Looming Tower, by Lawrence Wright, also one I haven't read yet, this is about Al-Qaeda and 9-11.
If you've read any of these, please share you thoughts with me in the comments!
My point in discussing this is that, aside from the usual gigantic, expensive glossy-paged "everything you need to know about Astronomy" (which I do have) -type book, one thing that makes college awesome is the opportunity to study other well-written non-fiction books. Of course, in high school, you'll be bound to get a few books for an English class, but outside of that, it's textbooks and teachers. College steps outside the sphere of the typical textbook.
This brings me to something else I've been thinking about. This Saturday, Apple releases the iPad. I don't know if I've mentioned that I'm an epic Apple fan, but I am very excited to see and use this new technology. Although, I don't currently have any plans to buy one. Perhaps a future model.
I bring this up because I have long wondered when devices like the Kindle and the iPad will start thinking smart and create an e-reader partnership with colleges. It makes so much sense for a college freshman to buy an e-reader device (though they're expensive, the student will use it over all four-years of college, and thus, it's a reasonable purchase), and then each semester, buy reasonably-priced e-copies of their textbooks. No carrying around multiple books, buying and selling used copies, etc. There ya have it, all your books, on one device.
I won't go on and on about the technological aspects of this plan, but I'm sure I'm not the first to think of it. I hope someone out there who holds sway in Apple or Amazon, or some other company, has had the same idea, and is working on it right now. Above all, I hope to benefit from this before I leave college.
That's it from me for now. I can't believe there are only four weeks left in the semester after this week wraps up. Wow, time is flying!
Cheers :)
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Thursday, March 25, 2010
"Spring" Break in Boulder
Hello CU Buffs, friends, readers, and random individuals who happened to stumble across this blog... I hope you are having a lovely week thus far! If you're on Spring Break, like me, I especially hope you're enjoying the absence of classes and schedules.
Spring Break is kind of a magical time if you stick around Boulder. As students disappear for vacations and trips home, the town really changes. Traffic slows down, businesses are less busy -- everything feels slower, more relaxed somehow. Of course, since the local school district often has Spring Break the same week, this isn't just CU contributing to the change.
However, that brings me to what is on my mind a lot lately, summer. Spring Break will be wrapping up in a few days, and then it's onto that last big haul before we reach the bliss of summer vacation. Of course, the extra blizzards and snow storms this week are hardly even spring weather, and thus are making me particularly eager for some summer sunshine -- and some time to enjoy it.
In summer, in particular, Boulder really changes -- and I think it's safe to say that this is because of a number of CU students going home. I love that Boulder is a college town, and always have, so I wouldn't want it to be so quiet all the time... But then again, I've grown up here. Since many students leave every summer, I think people miss out on the peace and quiet this town experiences during the summer.
So, here's my recommendation: if you come to CU, try to stick around during a Spring Break or summer. Enjoy the weather (whether it's snowy or sunny), and enjoy the calm energy that is oh-so-different from any other time of year.
Cheers :)
Spring Break is kind of a magical time if you stick around Boulder. As students disappear for vacations and trips home, the town really changes. Traffic slows down, businesses are less busy -- everything feels slower, more relaxed somehow. Of course, since the local school district often has Spring Break the same week, this isn't just CU contributing to the change.
However, that brings me to what is on my mind a lot lately, summer. Spring Break will be wrapping up in a few days, and then it's onto that last big haul before we reach the bliss of summer vacation. Of course, the extra blizzards and snow storms this week are hardly even spring weather, and thus are making me particularly eager for some summer sunshine -- and some time to enjoy it.
In summer, in particular, Boulder really changes -- and I think it's safe to say that this is because of a number of CU students going home. I love that Boulder is a college town, and always have, so I wouldn't want it to be so quiet all the time... But then again, I've grown up here. Since many students leave every summer, I think people miss out on the peace and quiet this town experiences during the summer.
So, here's my recommendation: if you come to CU, try to stick around during a Spring Break or summer. Enjoy the weather (whether it's snowy or sunny), and enjoy the calm energy that is oh-so-different from any other time of year.
Cheers :)
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Introduction to TAM
Hello! So much for the first day of spring - here in Boulder, we're digging our way out of the rapidly melting snow from winter's last gasp yesterday! :D I hope we've got more warm weather on the way - last week's 60 and 70 degree trend really got me excited for spring and summer!
I've been really busy lately with midterms, plans for the summer, and other things, but I wanted to take a moment to share with you a really cool program I am thrilled to have found at CU.
The Alliance for Technology, Learning, and Society, better known as ATLAS, is more than a building on campus. It's the home to a minor and certificate program called Technology, Arts, and Media (TAM). TAM is an interdisciplinary program open to anyone at CU that teaches "digital media production, design, art criticism, computer programming, information technology, media and societal analysis, and project development." These are all things I've always wanted to learn and am glad to have found at CU - I'm currently planning on pursuing the minor along with my Film Studies degree.
It was rather by luck that I found this program. Word of mouth, combined with a a Google Search, led me to the website, the description, and eventually, a meeting with the adviser. TAM teaches a skill-set that I think is invaluable in this technologically driven age, and I'm glad I found it - because it's actually a bit difficult to get into the first class right away (there were at least 180 students interested in the first 100 person class).
I attended the orientation for this program just this last week, and the whole time I was sitting listening to what it was all about, I was so excited to get started. I can only be thankful I managed to stumble across this opportunity.
I guess what I'm saying is, always keep your eyes open! In college, you never know when you'll find a new program, group, class, person, or experience that will expand your horizons Don't miss these opportunities!
Comment question of this week: Have you ever stumbled across something that ended up changing your life? Any advice on not missing opportunities?
Is there anything you'd like me to talk about, look into, or describe in my last few months as a freshman at CU?
Cheers :)
I've been really busy lately with midterms, plans for the summer, and other things, but I wanted to take a moment to share with you a really cool program I am thrilled to have found at CU.
The Alliance for Technology, Learning, and Society, better known as ATLAS, is more than a building on campus. It's the home to a minor and certificate program called Technology, Arts, and Media (TAM). TAM is an interdisciplinary program open to anyone at CU that teaches "digital media production, design, art criticism, computer programming, information technology, media and societal analysis, and project development." These are all things I've always wanted to learn and am glad to have found at CU - I'm currently planning on pursuing the minor along with my Film Studies degree.
It was rather by luck that I found this program. Word of mouth, combined with a a Google Search, led me to the website, the description, and eventually, a meeting with the adviser. TAM teaches a skill-set that I think is invaluable in this technologically driven age, and I'm glad I found it - because it's actually a bit difficult to get into the first class right away (there were at least 180 students interested in the first 100 person class).
I attended the orientation for this program just this last week, and the whole time I was sitting listening to what it was all about, I was so excited to get started. I can only be thankful I managed to stumble across this opportunity.
I guess what I'm saying is, always keep your eyes open! In college, you never know when you'll find a new program, group, class, person, or experience that will expand your horizons Don't miss these opportunities!
Comment question of this week: Have you ever stumbled across something that ended up changing your life? Any advice on not missing opportunities?
Is there anything you'd like me to talk about, look into, or describe in my last few months as a freshman at CU?
Cheers :)
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
The Olympic Spirit
Well, now that the Winter Olympics are over, life is returning back to normal. I had a lot of fun watching as many of the events as possible over the past two weeks, but the games were definitely taking up a lot of my time. I'm not the kind of person who usually is into sports, but there's something about the Olympics - winter or summer - that gets me excited.
For one thing, I really love the spirit of the Olympics - the whole idea of nations coming together, sending the best athletes in their sport, and having these men and women compete in tests of strength, endurance, and artistry. It's a wonderful celebration of energy and power.
Even more so, I love that, while there is a gold medalist, there's also a silver and a bronze. In that way, there's not a single winner and a single LOSER, but a range of excellence. These people are, even coming into the games, the best of the best.
Though I'm not an athlete, I think there's a lot to learn from Olympians. Look at their perseverance! They battle through pain, through bad conditions, they face the most incredible challenges, and their dedication wins out in the end.
If you watched the Olympics, what did YOU learn? What was your favorite part? Share in the comments!
Cheers :)
For one thing, I really love the spirit of the Olympics - the whole idea of nations coming together, sending the best athletes in their sport, and having these men and women compete in tests of strength, endurance, and artistry. It's a wonderful celebration of energy and power.
Even more so, I love that, while there is a gold medalist, there's also a silver and a bronze. In that way, there's not a single winner and a single LOSER, but a range of excellence. These people are, even coming into the games, the best of the best.
Though I'm not an athlete, I think there's a lot to learn from Olympians. Look at their perseverance! They battle through pain, through bad conditions, they face the most incredible challenges, and their dedication wins out in the end.
If you watched the Olympics, what did YOU learn? What was your favorite part? Share in the comments!
Cheers :)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)