Reading day

Two days a week I work at a community college library. I unfortunately am not being prepped for being a future Library of Congress librarian in terms of tasks and work I do, but a nice thing about it is that in my down time I am able to get school work done. Hence, why I have titled this blog entry "reading day."

Seeing as how this semester is almost a month shorter than the fall and spring, I am really feeling overwhelmed and know it's a matter of sinking or swimming. I've never sank in all my years of academia, but it's still tough none the less.

I have gotten started on this week's readings for class, well one chapter down, two to go. I found chapter four interesting because it provided me with why some technology components are they way they are and do the things they do. Last semester I took a class with Dr. Bowler entitled "Technology in the Lives of Children" (it's a special topics course and I highly recommend it). Anyway, I liked the fact that the DC text mentioned the program One Laptop per Child. I had never heard of it before the class last semester, but having lived and traveled to numerous developing countries, I feel that it is a wonderful initiative. I know that much controversy and opposition exists, but how else can children who have nothing educational wise succeed in the future and become strong leaders of tomorrow, if they don't have the tools to succeed with? No one can deny that technology is the road to the future, and all children, whether American, Afghan, or Nicaraguan, need to be given the opportunity to succeed. Didn't mean to babble so much, but I hope the program continues to receive more support & funding in the future to help even more children. The following is a link to a newspaper article relating to the OLPC program-http://www.huffingtonpost.com/nicholas-negroponte/afghanis-desperately-want_b_182913.html in case anyone is interested in reading more on it.

Although the textbook provided information on how to take apart your computer, see the insides, etc, I don't think that is something I would ever want or attempt to do. I can personally say that I am satisfied with just reading about all the internal intricacies and whatnot. Although some of the content was a bit over my head and I had to go back and re-read certain parts and definitions, memories of my college comp sci class are flooding back. Although in both instances the technical content was incorporated with current events/interesting aspects as well.

I checked out the Computer History museum's website and have to say I am a bit disappointed that it's in California (although I fully grasp the why considering the whole Silicon Valley set-up). When I'm at home I want to check it our further, but it seems like a truly unique visit place.

Half done with week 2-too few remain in this really short semester.

Ciao gente.