While this is a good suggestion, this teacher should really be checking with their school about his options. I work at a private high school and when I was choosing a textbook (for an intro physics class) I wanted to forget about the textbook idea and use Feynman and a variety of problems (some my own some borrowed). The idea was shot down because the administration was worried about not being reaccredited. I ended up using an older version of a popular college level text book and Feynman.
If you've never taken a physics class, Halliday is the place to start. I know you have "limited knowledge" in physics. If you've taken calculus based physics courses, have you considered either an REA Physics Problem Solvers book or a Schaum's outline? It doesn't go into the detail that Halliday will but both will give you many problems to work out.
Try asking your professors if they know of any opportunities or if they have their own projects they are working on...most are willing to give you some type of guidance and/or want an extra set of hands to help them with their project. If your 21 (and I'm assuming your a junior) you really try to work either with a professor or with a company. Start to build up some quality references.
Or, if you want something different, check into the different summer camps around you. I live on the east coast and there are some kids camps that get into either robot programming or something similar. It might not be a typical internship, but teaching someone to code, especially a little kid, really shows you how much you know about a subject. You wouldn't need a heck of a lot of programming knowledge but it might be a different way to apply your knowledge.
It seems like the Kindle could be really useful for college students if amazon could get a good deal going with the textbook companies. I'd be more willing to buy a device that cost 400 bucks if I could get each of my textbooks for around 40 or 50 bucks. In a couples of semesters, it would pay for its self. There is also the added bonus that I could carry around a 10 oz device instead of 6 or 7 pounds of books.
That being said, the textbook companies would most likely not agree and the iPod touch or the iPhone would become be my device of choice.
School taxes would be much lower if we did not have luxury classrooms with lights and air conditioning. While I agree with most of what you said, since when are lights a luxury? I work at a private parochial school with a fifth of the budget of the local public school, but even we consider lights a necessity. And, honestly, I've never been in a public school that didn't have cheap florescent lights.
At UMass Amherst, a new library was built in the 70s. Tallest academic library in the world, not bad to look at. But when the architect was designing it, he didn't take into account the weight of the books. For awhile, you couldn't walk near it because bricks were falling down.
One of the local newly built high schools near me has a second floor pool that can't be used because the weight of the water wasn't taken into account. They can't use their new, and rather nice looking, chem labs because there is no ventilation. But there are big screen tvs in each room with DVD players which, according to the contractor, is a "key to education".
Though these aren't weather related examples, they still prove the point that many architects and contractors, who are more worried about design, are flakey.
I second having students read something about/by Feynman. Not only was he a champion of science/math education the books above show Feynman's other interests. Too often scientists and engineers are shown as only interested in work and having no social life. Richard Feynman's tales break that stereotype. There is also a great BBC interview of Feynman relating some of the stories from his books. Seeing and hearing Feynman really drives home the point that anyone can be a scientist.
Try to retake classes with different professors. I had a pretty high GPA, but I retook 2 of my core classes with different professors, just to get a different view. I majored in mathematics and physics, not CS, but I found that retaking with a different professor has improved my skills in different areas. While GPA is important in some cases (Grad School), knowing the material and being comfortable with it will have a larger impact on your success.
Your right that it is too late for you to start beefing up your activities. Most schools require that you say how long you've been doing any activities and how many hours per week you do them. So if an admissions officer sees that within the last month you've started ten new activities/sports/jobs/whatever, they will realize that your scrambling to add to your application.
If you do anything, make sure you have an awesome essay and make sure that your references are people who know you well and will say how great you are. When my best friend was applying to schools, he had a reference that was bad mouthing him.
I know you mentioned that you have two Masters. Assuming that they are in a technical field, have you considered teaching? Many community colleges hire part time people who have come out of industry and have the proper degrees. It is tough work, but can be rewarding with a good group of students. I wouldn't suggest High School work (the Certification process is lengthy and it isn't part time work), but teaching programming at a local school could be an alternative to a job in programming.
I prefer to give my charitable dollars to the poor and infirm.
Its great to give money around Christmas to the poor and infirm, but if you don't have the extra cash (like me), another option is volunteering (and not just around the holidays). I spend 4-8 hours a week helping students with math and science at the "poor" high school in my city. I also play guitar in a band that goes to the local hospitals a few times a month. Giving money is good but its not your only option.
you'll be held to blame for everything that ever goes wrong with the box there after
I found this to be true if you charge neighbors/ friends for fixing anything. Complete strangers won't call be back 6 months later and demand that I fix thier pc (at no cost). Unless your going to open up a small buiness, don't take cash payments. Work out a barder system. It will save you headaches and phone calls at 10 pm demanding computer service.
Another Massachusetts community college just cut Linear Algebra from the requirments. Students couldn't do the math. The problem was so many students were dropping out of the CS program because of the math that the school was thinking about cutting it. Instead, the department chair decided to water down the degree requirements.
Its stunts like this that give community college CS departments a bad name.
I'm a big fan of Community Colleges (going for an A.S. in Engineering from one now) but if they claim that they will prepair students for a 4 year college, then they should be doing that and not trying to appeal to the masses who probably should not be in Compter Science (thats why they have IT)
Going to a Junior College was one of the smartest things I ever did. Not only did I get a quality education there, but I got an A.S. in engineering which has helped me when applying for jobs and other schools (my B.A. will be in math) but I also saved money by not living in an overpriced dorm room and paying less for my credits.
Although most people would disagree with me, if you can aviod living in a dorm, I would. Sure, it might mean living 4 more years at home, but since many room and board plans run upwards of 10,000 dollar, not paying that extra cash for 4 years means that come graduation, I'll have a nice downpayment on a small house and enough left over to add to my reitirement fund. Dorm rooms might be part of the "college experience", but if your paying for college on your own, think twice before dropping that extra cash.
The best degree would be something related to what your computer science BA program covered. If you did alot of math, get a masters in math. If the program had a good physics or hardware backround, try getting a masters in physics or some field of engineering. What ever field, make sure it is related and that you have the knowledge to successfully complete the degree. A masters is a good idea cause that usually means a bump in pay, and many companies will help to pay for you getting a higher degree.
If the kid is 13 can't they take some type of class at school? I know some of the local 7th and 8th grades do some type of computer programing, usually using BASIC. But if your going to teach the kid, you might want to teacher them some Java. The only reason I suggest this is that the AP computer science exam now uses Java, so it might be an advantage for the kid to learn this if they plan on taking any type of AP computer science class.
Although I agree that kids should have to learn how to do important things, like written papers and math, without a computer, computers should be introduced before high school. But instead of using it to do papers or math, kids should be taught BASIC or some other simple programing language. Learning simple logic early in life will help them out later on.
I own this EMS pack It is a little above your price range (its 79 USD), but it is worth it. I took mine when I went to Ireland a few years ago, I use it when I go to work, or where ever I need my notebook.
What is nice about it is the removeable notebook holder. It is big enough to fit a 15" computer, the charger, and even a few other accessories (cables, mouse, etc.) and it comes in handy when you need to save on space.
Your higher education is the BEST time of your life, really
This really should not be true. If it was everyone would jump off the tallest building on campus after graduation and end it all on a high note. College is a good time but it shouldn't be the high point of your life. Don't do everything and anything in College. Save something for the next fifty or sixty years of your life.
Teachers aren't supposed to be your friends. Those that try to be your friend usually suck at teaching. There are exceptions (e.g. the best teacher I ever had is still a good friend of mine to this day) but if a teacher does his or her job and motivates children to learn, then let them be sadistic.
I'd have to disagree. I'm a girl nerd and my friends who are nerds or geeks might not have had dozens of girlfriends, but most have one that they can count on. True geeks would never take advantage of a girl like most guys would. So, from my perspective, a geek is a better boyfriend than a "popular" guy any day.
I trust such proofs more than I trust hand-checked proofs, because humans are more susceptible to mistakes than computers are.
Sure humans can make mistakes but doing a proof that takes hours and hours (although tough) is something to be proud of. I love doing proofs and I would get no satisfaction out of pressing a few buttons on a computer and being done.
Slashdot Mirror
While this is a good suggestion, this teacher should really be checking with their school about his options. I work at a private high school and when I was choosing a textbook (for an intro physics class) I wanted to forget about the textbook idea and use Feynman and a variety of problems (some my own some borrowed). The idea was shot down because the administration was worried about not being reaccredited. I ended up using an older version of a popular college level text book and Feynman.
If you've never taken a physics class, Halliday is the place to start. I know you have "limited knowledge" in physics. If you've taken calculus based physics courses, have you considered either an REA Physics Problem Solvers book or a Schaum's outline? It doesn't go into the detail that Halliday will but both will give you many problems to work out.
Try asking your professors if they know of any opportunities or if they have their own projects they are working on...most are willing to give you some type of guidance and/or want an extra set of hands to help them with their project. If your 21 (and I'm assuming your a junior) you really try to work either with a professor or with a company. Start to build up some quality references.
Or, if you want something different, check into the different summer camps around you. I live on the east coast and there are some kids camps that get into either robot programming or something similar. It might not be a typical internship, but teaching someone to code, especially a little kid, really shows you how much you know about a subject. You wouldn't need a heck of a lot of programming knowledge but it might be a different way to apply your knowledge.
It seems like the Kindle could be really useful for college students if amazon could get a good deal going with the textbook companies. I'd be more willing to buy a device that cost 400 bucks if I could get each of my textbooks for around 40 or 50 bucks. In a couples of semesters, it would pay for its self. There is also the added bonus that I could carry around a 10 oz device instead of 6 or 7 pounds of books.
That being said, the textbook companies would most likely not agree and the iPod touch or the iPhone would become be my device of choice.
At UMass Amherst, a new library was built in the 70s. Tallest academic library in the world, not bad to look at. But when the architect was designing it, he didn't take into account the weight of the books. For awhile, you couldn't walk near it because bricks were falling down. One of the local newly built high schools near me has a second floor pool that can't be used because the weight of the water wasn't taken into account. They can't use their new, and rather nice looking, chem labs because there is no ventilation. But there are big screen tvs in each room with DVD players which, according to the contractor, is a "key to education". Though these aren't weather related examples, they still prove the point that many architects and contractors, who are more worried about design, are flakey.
I second having students read something about/by Feynman. Not only was he a champion of science/math education the books above show Feynman's other interests. Too often scientists and engineers are shown as only interested in work and having no social life. Richard Feynman's tales break that stereotype. There is also a great BBC interview of Feynman relating some of the stories from his books. Seeing and hearing Feynman really drives home the point that anyone can be a scientist.
Try to retake classes with different professors. I had a pretty high GPA, but I retook 2 of my core classes with different professors, just to get a different view. I majored in mathematics and physics, not CS, but I found that retaking with a different professor has improved my skills in different areas. While GPA is important in some cases (Grad School), knowing the material and being comfortable with it will have a larger impact on your success.
Your right that it is too late for you to start beefing up your activities. Most schools require that you say how long you've been doing any activities and how many hours per week you do them. So if an admissions officer sees that within the last month you've started ten new activities/sports/jobs/whatever, they will realize that your scrambling to add to your application. If you do anything, make sure you have an awesome essay and make sure that your references are people who know you well and will say how great you are. When my best friend was applying to schools, he had a reference that was bad mouthing him.
I know you mentioned that you have two Masters. Assuming that they are in a technical field, have you considered teaching? Many community colleges hire part time people who have come out of industry and have the proper degrees. It is tough work, but can be rewarding with a good group of students. I wouldn't suggest High School work (the Certification process is lengthy and it isn't part time work), but teaching programming at a local school could be an alternative to a job in programming.
I prefer to give my charitable dollars to the poor and infirm.
Its great to give money around Christmas to the poor and infirm, but if you don't have the extra cash (like me), another option is volunteering (and not just around the holidays).
I spend 4-8 hours a week helping students with math and science at the "poor" high school in my city. I also play guitar in a band that goes to the local hospitals a few times a month.
Giving money is good but its not your only option.
you'll be held to blame for everything that ever goes wrong with the box there after
I found this to be true if you charge neighbors/ friends for fixing anything. Complete strangers won't call be back 6 months later and demand that I fix thier pc (at no cost). Unless your going to open up a small buiness, don't take cash payments. Work out a barder system. It will save you headaches and phone calls at 10 pm demanding computer service.
Another Massachusetts community college just cut Linear Algebra from the requirments. Students couldn't do the math. The problem was so many students were dropping out of the CS program because of the math that the school was thinking about cutting it. Instead, the department chair decided to water down the degree requirements.
Its stunts like this that give community college CS departments a bad name.
I'm a big fan of Community Colleges (going for an A.S. in Engineering from one now) but if they claim that they will prepair students for a 4 year college, then they should be doing that and not trying to appeal to the masses who probably should not be in Compter Science (thats why they have IT)
Going to a Junior College was one of the smartest things I ever did. Not only did I get a quality education there, but I got an A.S. in engineering which has helped me when applying for jobs and other schools (my B.A. will be in math) but I also saved money by not living in an overpriced dorm room and paying less for my credits. Although most people would disagree with me, if you can aviod living in a dorm, I would. Sure, it might mean living 4 more years at home, but since many room and board plans run upwards of 10,000 dollar, not paying that extra cash for 4 years means that come graduation, I'll have a nice downpayment on a small house and enough left over to add to my reitirement fund. Dorm rooms might be part of the "college experience", but if your paying for college on your own, think twice before dropping that extra cash.
The best degree would be something related to what your computer science BA program covered. If you did alot of math, get a masters in math. If the program had a good physics or hardware backround, try getting a masters in physics or some field of engineering. What ever field, make sure it is related and that you have the knowledge to successfully complete the degree. A masters is a good idea cause that usually means a bump in pay, and many companies will help to pay for you getting a higher degree.
If the kid is 13 can't they take some type of class at school? I know some of the local 7th and 8th grades do some type of computer programing, usually using BASIC. But if your going to teach the kid, you might want to teacher them some Java. The only reason I suggest this is that the AP computer science exam now uses Java, so it might be an advantage for the kid to learn this if they plan on taking any type of AP computer science class.
Although I agree that kids should have to learn how to do important things, like written papers and math, without a computer, computers should be introduced before high school. But instead of using it to do papers or math, kids should be taught BASIC or some other simple programing language. Learning simple logic early in life will help them out later on.
I own this EMS pack It is a little above your price range (its 79 USD), but it is worth it. I took mine when I went to Ireland a few years ago, I use it when I go to work, or where ever I need my notebook. What is nice about it is the removeable notebook holder. It is big enough to fit a 15" computer, the charger, and even a few other accessories (cables, mouse, etc.) and it comes in handy when you need to save on space.
Your higher education is the BEST time of your life, really
This really should not be true. If it was everyone would jump off the tallest building on campus after graduation and end it all on a high note. College is a good time but it shouldn't be the high point of your life. Don't do everything and anything in College. Save something for the next fifty or sixty years of your life.
You might be right. There is nothing on the http://apple.com/ web site about the new iPod.
An even more accurate phrase is
Those that can do
Those that understand teach
Teachers aren't supposed to be your friends. Those that try to be your friend usually suck at teaching. There are exceptions (e.g. the best teacher I ever had is still a good friend of mine to this day) but if a teacher does his or her job and motivates children to learn, then let them be sadistic.
True geeks never get laid.
I'd have to disagree. I'm a girl nerd and my friends who are nerds or geeks might not have had dozens of girlfriends, but most have one that they can count on. True geeks would never take advantage of a girl like most guys would. So, from my perspective, a geek is a better boyfriend than a "popular" guy any day.
I trust such proofs more than I trust hand-checked proofs, because humans are more susceptible to mistakes than computers are.
Sure humans can make mistakes but doing a proof that takes hours and hours (although tough) is something to be proud of. I love doing proofs and I would get no satisfaction out of pressing a few buttons on a computer and being done.