I haven't given much thought to the topic of my research paper, nor have I done much research. With that being said I have a few ideas that may work as possible topics....
1. The aesthetics of the book. I would like to focus on what makes a book a book. The binding, the shape, the portability? I'm not sure. Also how does one feel when reading a book as opposed to when reading online text, or any printed text that is not in the form of a book. To me the book as an object is aesthetically pleasing. There is something exquisite about being able to sit down with a cup of coffee and a book (one in each hand) and immerse yourself in a world of literary wonders. A book also holds a concrete physical state, more so than printed pages. For example, two people are in a park, one reading a book, one reading a newspaper, and it suddenly starts to rain. The person with the newspaper is most likely to throw the paper over their head and run to the nearest shelter, only to realize that page after page of text is now unreadable, and black ink is smeared across their face. The book reader can simply tuck their book into a coat pocket, a hand bag, etc, move to a dryer place and continue to enjoy their reading. I like the fact that a book has a cover because not only does it help to make it a 'book' but also it offers protection to the precious words of your favorite story. There are so many aspects of the book compared to every other form of text, and i think it would be interesting to explore these aspects.
2. Computers in the education system. This is actually the topic of m website presentation. If I were to write a paper about it I would look at how computers have affected the learning process. I can recall playing 'educational' computer games as a child in elementary school. My parents never played computer games in school. In fact I don't think they even owned a computer until shortly after I was born. Computers used for education is a fairly new idea, and I would like to explore how it affects people students ie: children, high school students, college students, etc. I personally have attended some classes and realized that I completely forgot to do the assigned reading for that days class. In a matter of seconds I can pull the reading up on my computer, skim it over, and appear not completely ignorant in a class discussion. Although this aides me in appearing more intelligent than I really am, it does not aid in my learning. Had I not had the accessibility of a computer I may have written down what I needed to read and read it ahead of time, instead of skimming it over in class looking for a clever line or topic that i can recite and discuss just for the sake of saying something.
I have a few other ideas, but I think this is enough for now. Any insight/critique would be very helpful.
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Lol (yes I f'in said it!)
ReplyDelete"Although this aides me in appearing more intelligent than I really am, it does not aid in my learning."
I had a class a couple of years back, Writing Theory, where we basically spent the semester examining various texts surrounding the "pedagogy of literacy." Anyway, one of the authors, James Paul Gee, elaborated upon a term that, if I'm not mistaken, he newly coined: "mushfake," which is a verb, meaning (and here I can only vaguely recollect) exactly the kind of skimming over "looking for a clever line or topic" to recite for the sake of appearing to have absorbed the material.
Many college students do just that. It has to do with a kind of superficial approach that only delves far enough to "get the gist" and then utilizes the quick, clever faculties of the brain to, basically, bullshit your way to an "A."
The irony? I passed that class with an A (or A-, my memory fails me) and I did not read a single book assigned. I "mushfaked" my way through that entire curriculum.
Now, either standards are dropping, or students are getting better at deceiving their instructors. Whatever the case may be, there is little doubt that computers, with their copy/paste and point 'n' click maximum efficiency have simultaneously allowed for a depth to knowledge unrivaled in history, as well as a superficial facade of "learning" that disappears as quickly as last semester's printouts.
Both your ideas seem like they would make for an interesting project. Personally, I like your second topic better. The debate concerning whether computers make for better students is an interesting one. I think an issue of ethical components is at play here. Do computers make for better students? They definitely have the potential to but as you and Michal pointed out, that is not always the case because some students abuse the privilege and luxury of having such a technological tool at our disposal. I know I have at times when I was pressed for time to complete the assigned work. But what is the alternative? Not doing any work at all. Maybe a half hearted attempt at education is better than not doing any work as long as you eventually get yourself to speed with the material.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, I really enjoyed your example of the newspaper used as an umbrella. I thought that was really funny. It reminded me of various uses of newspapers such as lining litter boxes and other ways we abuse that form of the written word. It could be because we know another paper will be in print the next day and the newspaper is relatively cheap. One thing is for certain, we might not have the newspaper to abuse for much longer as more and more newspaper agencies are closing their doors for the alternative of online access to this form of information.
It's very interesting how computers in education is slowly becoming prominent in the classroom. There are commercials promoting parents to buy their high school, possibly junior high school, students laptops for the classroom. Whatever happened to having a day in the computer lab? It's not enough that college students are getting away from the traditional way of taking notes (you know with a pen and paper), so is this technical way of keeping track of the curriculum. I think its too much of a distraction anyway. I don't know how many times I've tried {not} to surf the web and log on to facebook (which by the way is attracting the younger crowd). Nonetheless, it would be a very interesting topic to right a paper on.
ReplyDeleteOut of all of your topic ideas, something you noted as part of one of your topic descriptions, particularly stands out. This would be your description of the two people in the park when it starts raining. Especially how you noted that the person with the newspaper is going to be more likely to use the newspaper as an umbrella--only to destroy it and the text on it--where as the person with the book, is more likely to protect the book by putting the book under his or her jacket, or covering it up or something.
ReplyDeleteI feel like you--perhaps inadvertently--have illuminated a manifestation of the quality and value of what is printed in something like a newspaper, as opposed to something considered important and permanent enough to warrant being printed and bound within two covers. It's kind of like saying, what is printed in the newspaper is almost like fast-food, and thus fleeting and disposable, whereas what is in the book is something for the ages.
This may not be of much help to you, but your scenario brought that to mind...
I love the computers in education idea. I remember when learning slowly began to depend on computers more than palpable paperwork. I hated it at first. I wanted something i could hold, touch, analyze in front of me. That was how i learned best. But, admittedly, i have gone over to the "cyber" side. I feel much more comfortable learning off a screen than i used to. Drawback: not as portable for those of us who do not have laptops... aka me. That would be the wonderful part of books, would it not?
ReplyDeleteSheila,
ReplyDeleteEither idea has potential; both must be narrowed considerably. You could just discuss book design in publishing (you could interview the deign director at WSU Press for example, a former MA student of mine) OR typography OR cover design OR books as art objects--there are several related yet distinct possibilities here.
As for computers in education. You need to break down both nouns. Does "computers" means wordprocessing, video games, Internet research, texting, what? Is education primary grades, K-12, college? Again, the topics may overlap, but they are all decidedly different. If you try to tackle a topic that's too big you will just end up with generalities--or several books.