#BookReview: "Scored" (2011) by Lauren McLaughlin #YALit #engchat #edchat #books
Genre: This novel is more near-future/plausible-based-on-today's-technology than it is dystopian. A private corporation is the antagonist -- as opposed to government -- and its influence is limited to certain 'test' areas.
Technology (a geeky side-note): I can see no way that the behavioral analysis software often referred to in the novel is even a remote possibility given what we know today about human-computer interactions. Just think about the last time you phoned into some frustration-inducing 'automated telephone [banking, etc.] system' -- even today, computers can barely interpret simple voice commands. Yes, we've come a long way, but a system that can visually monitor and track individuals AND infer meaningful data about their behaviors and intentions? The novel begins to lose credibility in this regard. Then again, this is FICTION....
Critical Thinking: The book leaves open lots of room for readers to think about the ideas presented in the story, make connections to related concepts and themes in our world today, and wrestle with these issues. In fact, it could be argued that this book, as a learning 'tool', can play a more important role in this regard than in terms of just being a decent, interesting story. It could be criticized for having a rather abrupt ending that leaves too many issues unresolved, but in the sense that it functions to spark thoughts around its issues, this is an appropriate ending, as it leaves the reader to deal with the topics as they are manifested in our actual society.
Activities: Throughout the book there are many opportunities to pause and make predictions about what will happen next, what choices characters will make, etc. And as mentioned in the Critical Thinking section above, lots of room to discuss the issues in the book in their real-world contexts, as well as to 'finish the story' by tying up loose ends and other elements that are left open at the book's conclusion.
[ Amazon ]
Saturday, July 21, 2012
Friday, July 20, 2012
Secrets Revealed: #iPhone Design Inspiration = #Ghostbusters #MusicVideo?! #Apple #movies
Secrets Revealed: #iPhone Design Inspiration = #Ghostbusters #MusicVideo?! #Apple #movies
In this screenshot from the "Ghostbusters" original movie music video, look over Ray Parker, Jr.'s shoulder. Looks like an iPhone to me -- and in 1984!
Coincidence? I think not!
In this screenshot from the "Ghostbusters" original movie music video, look over Ray Parker, Jr.'s shoulder. Looks like an iPhone to me -- and in 1984!
Coincidence? I think not!
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
#Photos & #AnimatedGIFs as #WritingPrompts? #engchat #edchat
#Photos & #AnimatedGIFs as #WritingPrompts? #engchat #edchat
I've been thinking recently about fun and quirky ways to inspire students to write creatively... And then I came across this:
And this:
These two images got me thinking: 'Wow, I really have a massive bias towards pictures of dogs."
Moving beyond my fascination with canine photography, I began to wonder what kinds of creativity would be sparked by asking students to write a brief story about what is going on in one of these photos / animated GIFs.
For example, what might a video game loving student write about this:
Or, when asked to write a short story with monologue/dialogue, what creativity might this animated GIF provoke:
(OK, you got me; I only included a cat to balance out all the dogs in this post...)
And, of course, if we're interested in delivering more "traditional" Language Arts lessons, there's always this (another dog!):
Or this classic English-language pangram:
In sum, can quirky photos and animated GIFs lead to creative writing fun? Experiment!
PS: Major apologies if the numerous moving images on this page have given you, dear reader, a massive migraine or flashbacks to the days of MySpace pages. It had to be done.
I've been thinking recently about fun and quirky ways to inspire students to write creatively... And then I came across this:
"Puppy Business Meeting"
And this:
"Dramatic Pug"
Moving beyond my fascination with canine photography, I began to wonder what kinds of creativity would be sparked by asking students to write a brief story about what is going on in one of these photos / animated GIFs.
For example, what might a video game loving student write about this:
"Sheep Ring Activated!"
"Human, Help Me."
And, of course, if we're interested in delivering more "traditional" Language Arts lessons, there's always this (another dog!):
"Commas Do Matter."
[If you can't guess it, click here to reveal the answer!]
PS: Major apologies if the numerous moving images on this page have given you, dear reader, a massive migraine or flashbacks to the days of MySpace pages. It had to be done.
Friday, July 6, 2012
#TVReview: "The #Newsroom" (2012) Season 1, Episode 2 #TV #HBO
#TVReview: "The #Newsroom" (2012) Season 1, Episode 2 #TV #HBO
Two episodes is enough to convince me that I'm done with this series.
The show is very pretentious, self-righteous, and elitist -- as in 'sophisticated urbanites' who are the only ones who truly understand what's going on and the only ones who can save the uninformed ignorant masses through the power of their television news broadcast. Snore.
Visually, the show is well shot, but the verbosity of character dialogue that far too often drones on and on is too grating to put up with for an entire episode -- let alone a whole series.
Two episodes is enough to convince me that I'm done with this series.
The show is very pretentious, self-righteous, and elitist -- as in 'sophisticated urbanites' who are the only ones who truly understand what's going on and the only ones who can save the uninformed ignorant masses through the power of their television news broadcast. Snore.
Visually, the show is well shot, but the verbosity of character dialogue that far too often drones on and on is too grating to put up with for an entire episode -- let alone a whole series.
#TVReview: "The #Newsroom" (2012) Season 1, Episode 1 (Series Debut) #tv #HBO
#TVReview: "The #Newsroom" (2012) Season 1, Episode 1 (Series Debut) #tv #HBO
Very pretentious. David Mamet-esque dialogue. The glorification of and romanticism surrounding its central subject matter (a television news network) strains the ability of any critical viewer to buy into the show's premise. Despite this, I'll give it one more shot (episode)...
UPDATE: #TVReview: "The #Newsroom" (2012) Season 1, Episode 2 #TV #HBO
Very pretentious. David Mamet-esque dialogue. The glorification of and romanticism surrounding its central subject matter (a television news network) strains the ability of any critical viewer to buy into the show's premise. Despite this, I'll give it one more shot (episode)...
UPDATE: #TVReview: "The #Newsroom" (2012) Season 1, Episode 2 #TV #HBO
Recently Updated: Recommended #Reading List
Recently Updated: Recommended #Reading List
http://the-everyday-critic.blogspot.com/p/recommended-reading-list.html
NEW! Recommended Reading List & My Reading Lists on Amazon.com
http://astore.amazon.com/theeverydcrit-20
http://the-everyday-critic.blogspot.com/p/recommended-reading-list.html
NEW! Recommended Reading List & My Reading Lists on Amazon.com
http://astore.amazon.com/theeverydcrit-20
#TVReview: "Falling Skies: The Complete First Season" (2011)
#TVReview: "Falling Skies: The Complete First Season" (2011) [4/4] A beautiful mix of Sci-fi + Father/son-centered family drama + Picturesque on-location filming. [ DVD | Blu-ray ]
Thursday, July 5, 2012
#MovieReview: "The Three Stooges" (2012)
#MovieReview: "The Three Stooges" (2012) [2.5/4] If you're a fan of the Stooges, you'll moderately enjoy it. If you're not, you won't. It's that simple. [ DVD | Blu-ray ]
Twitter Alternative: RSS?
Considering RSS-based open alternatives to the closed Twitter environment:
http://blog.curry.com/stories/2012/07/04/twitterDevsTimeToHedgeYour.html
This article was the impetus for me to start this blog-based "Stream" to replicate Twitter-like information sharing in a more open platform. Open? Yes, it is hosted on Google, but Yes, I can also easily download and save locally a copy of the entire stream, and import it elsewhere if necessary.
http://blog.curry.com/stories/2012/07/04/twitterDevsTimeToHedgeYour.html
This article was the impetus for me to start this blog-based "Stream" to replicate Twitter-like information sharing in a more open platform. Open? Yes, it is hosted on Google, but Yes, I can also easily download and save locally a copy of the entire stream, and import it elsewhere if necessary.
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