Category Archives: School & Education

The objective of the public education system

Posted on March 6, 2007 by Eric

From a speech given by U.S. President Woodrow Wilson before the start of the first World War: We want one class to have a liberal education.  We want another class, a very much larger class of necessity, to forgo the … Continue reading →

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“FF Bombs” competition

Posted on February 22, 2007 by Eric

In CSC 387 Foundations of Computer Science, we were offered an extra-credit assignment to form teams of two students, and develop programs for a game called FF Bombs, which is similar to Core Wars.  The programs need to run on … Continue reading →

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On the Dean’s Honor List

Posted on February 22, 2007 by Eric

Today I received email notification from Mission College that I was named to the Dean’s List. I had a 4.0 GPA in the fall 2006 semester; only 3.0 was required for the Dean’s List. I met that requirement in the … Continue reading →

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Suboptimal e-commerce

Posted on January 29, 2007 by Eric

I’m taking a single class at a community college other than the ones I have previously attended.  I had to challenge a prerequisite, and it appears that my challenge has been processed, as today the registration web site allowed me … Continue reading →

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Learning SolidWorks

Posted on January 27, 2007 by Eric

In order to use the Dimensions 3D printer at TechShop, I needed some 3D CAD software, so I purchased the Student Edition of SolidWorks. In my spare time have been learning to use it. The built-in tutorials are good, but … Continue reading →

Posted in 3D Printer, CAD, School & Education, TechShop | 4 Comments

TechShop classes

Posted on January 25, 2007 by Eric

I’ve now taken four classes at TechShop: Laser Cutting and Etching SBU (Safety and Basic Usage) Milling Machine SBU MIG Welding SBU Soldering The SBU classes are intended to ensure that the student knows how to use the equipment safely, … Continue reading →

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Lack of practical information in CS text books

Posted on January 18, 2007 by Eric

Today I received the book for my CSC 376 Computer Organization class, Computer Systems Organization & Architecture by John D. Carpinelli (Addison Wesley Longman, 2001). It has a full-page sidebar on page 32: “PRACTICAL PERSPECTIVE: Why LEDs Are Usually Active … Continue reading →

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Back to school

Posted on January 17, 2007 by Eric

My classes at the University of Illinois at Springfield just started this week.  I’m taking three CS classes.  They’re online, so I don’t have to travel to Springfield.  That’s fortunate, because it would be a terrible commute from California! In … Continue reading →

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What a relief!

Posted on December 16, 2006 by Eric

School’s out!  We completed the last lab assignment and final exam for General Chemistry I today.  I have an A in Chemistry and in Human Heredity and Disease, and I think there’s a good chance that I’ll have an A … Continue reading →

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Guide to Suboptimal Exam-Taking

Posted on November 2, 2006 by Eric

Taking Exam 2 in Human Heredity and Disease, the Suboptimal Way: Skim the assigned textbook reading (optional) Miss class at least one week Forget that there’s an exam today It’s an open-book exam, so forget to bring the textbook

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