Another option for writers is "Social Networking". Sites include most interests, from friends to business. Not the NY Times, but always a good place to give your opinion.
One of the innovations in the internet space is social networking. Organizations are taking a fresh view on its scope for marketing communication and positioning to selling. The time has come to get into SOCIAL NETWORKING BAND WAGON.
“Social Network” was first coined by JA Barnes in 1954 classic, Class and Committees in a Norwegian Island Parish. It generally denotes “ a map of the relationships between individuals, indicating the ways in which they are connected through various social familiarities ranging from casual acquaintance to close familial bonds”.
Management Science Research has long studied to understand social networks mainly in the area of organizational behavior and human resource management. The internet has given a new twist to social networks. Time-constrained citizens are becoming social “netizens” with a vengeance. Relationships are sought online from like minded persons across the globe. We call these social networking sites.
Some of the popular social networking sites are: MySpace.com ,orkut, B-YANKS, etc. Unlike a traditional website or an email service , these sites resemble a real-life club. People can join different clubs depending on their affiliations. People look for relationships in these sites rather than pure information or plain vanilla communication. A music lover can form a group of “like tasted” individuals who can chat, discuss and share files ( both text and video). Most of these sites are free. Unlike a traditional site, these sites allow for greater interaction. Many users, use the space to be in touch with their near and dear ones..
There is a change in the electronic media consumption habits. Even as social networking sites expand, there are some interesting trends that can be observed. One of them is that adult and youth users vary in their usage pattern of social networks. While Orkut and B-Yanks are common choice for both age groups, youth seek more variety with such sites. The best part about these sites is that some of them like B-yanks also provide with free mobile email access, uploading & viewing videos and chat facilities. That means you can remain connected with your friends and relatives through your mobile phone. You can chat, view text and videos of your dear ones, all at the same time without having the need to go to your PC.
Social networking sites are expanding at 30% per annum. As they do so, the type of sites and the people who use them are also changing. Sites like MySpace, Face Book, Mypopcorn, etc remain popular with a bias towards music, films and relationships. While others like B-Yanks is more popular amongst all age groups for its free web and mobile based services include chat, music, video uploads ,free email access and much more.
Various organizations across the world are trying to get into the Social Networking Band Wagon as they find such sites as lucrative places for tracking down the market trend. It could also be an experimental communication channel for trendy youth. After the Dotcom burst, many marketers and business managers have given up on the internet.. Although Google is successful and echoes of Yahoo users are heard at times, a business manager is the most unlikely face in that Internet loving crowd. . For many business marketers , social networking sites are the best places where they can get closer or catch hold of their customers and that too, free of cost. Instead of costly surveys, experiments and focus group discussions, they can log on to the social networking site and look for the customer opinion on their products. It is always pleasant to catch a customer unaware and when he is most relaxed.
This article is printed from http://www.selfgrowthtest.com
Friday, January 30, 2009
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
How to Write Articles Quickly
One of the best ways to promote your website or blog is through article marketing. Learning to write articles quickly is a skill you have to master to accomplish this.
Many website owners make article writing a lot more complicated than it has to be. When writing for websites, remember first of all that people online are scanning web pages, not reading every word, so there is no need to spend hours making every word perfect.
Your content isn’t going to be totally unique, no matter what you write about. Every topic you can think about has already been written about by someone else. Think about it – every newsworthy event is covered by CNN, NBC, ABC, etc. Every network and every newspaper are all covering the exact same event or topic, just in different words.
The fact is, there are no new topics. Your job is to take what’s already been written and improve on it by injecting your own comments and personality.
One way to do research quickly is by inputting the topic you want to write about into a search engine. Choose three or four matches and read these articles thoroughly, taking notes.
Or, other places for quick research include article directories, forums and yahoo answers. By reading what people are asking in yahoo answers, you will learn what information people are looking for.
Amazon.com provides some great tools for quick research. By choosing a few top-selling books on a given topic, you can research quickly by browsing a book’s table of contents, the back cover of the book and even an excerpt.
Once you have taken sufficient notes, it’s time to put your article together. Write an outline of the important points you want to make in your article. Then write the article without looking back at the other articles. This is nothing more than the same work you did in high school writing book reports. Most of us have written quite a few book reports in our lifetime, and in those days many of us put ourselves through the unnecessary stress of cutting it too close to deadlines. That means we already know how to write and research quickly!
Basically, we need to decide what we’re going to accomplish and when. If we intend to write an article a day, then we have to stay glued to our computer until we complete that task. If we want to get it done in half an hour or less, this is another goal to work toward. Practice will definitely lead to improvement.
Article marketing is one of the best forms of free advertising there is. Learning to write articles quickly is an easily learned skill that will help us get the most out of article marketing.
About The Author
Valerie Dansereau is a banker turned entrepreneur and is the owner of http://www.work-at-home-parenting.com. For a free report showing you how to make $1,000 a month, even without your own website, Click here.
Many website owners make article writing a lot more complicated than it has to be. When writing for websites, remember first of all that people online are scanning web pages, not reading every word, so there is no need to spend hours making every word perfect.
Your content isn’t going to be totally unique, no matter what you write about. Every topic you can think about has already been written about by someone else. Think about it – every newsworthy event is covered by CNN, NBC, ABC, etc. Every network and every newspaper are all covering the exact same event or topic, just in different words.
The fact is, there are no new topics. Your job is to take what’s already been written and improve on it by injecting your own comments and personality.
One way to do research quickly is by inputting the topic you want to write about into a search engine. Choose three or four matches and read these articles thoroughly, taking notes.
Or, other places for quick research include article directories, forums and yahoo answers. By reading what people are asking in yahoo answers, you will learn what information people are looking for.
Amazon.com provides some great tools for quick research. By choosing a few top-selling books on a given topic, you can research quickly by browsing a book’s table of contents, the back cover of the book and even an excerpt.
Once you have taken sufficient notes, it’s time to put your article together. Write an outline of the important points you want to make in your article. Then write the article without looking back at the other articles. This is nothing more than the same work you did in high school writing book reports. Most of us have written quite a few book reports in our lifetime, and in those days many of us put ourselves through the unnecessary stress of cutting it too close to deadlines. That means we already know how to write and research quickly!
Basically, we need to decide what we’re going to accomplish and when. If we intend to write an article a day, then we have to stay glued to our computer until we complete that task. If we want to get it done in half an hour or less, this is another goal to work toward. Practice will definitely lead to improvement.
Article marketing is one of the best forms of free advertising there is. Learning to write articles quickly is an easily learned skill that will help us get the most out of article marketing.
About The Author
Valerie Dansereau is a banker turned entrepreneur and is the owner of http://www.work-at-home-parenting.com. For a free report showing you how to make $1,000 a month, even without your own website, Click here.
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Web Writing Maestro - From Idea to Income
Want to make great money from your Web writing? You need a process which you can use repeatedly, so that your income increases each month. The secret is to keep everything simple: just do what YOU can do, and leave the rest to others.
The More Products You Write and Sell Online, the More Money You Make
When you begin your Web writing career, you soon realize that the real money is in selling your own products. However, this seems intimidating. How do you get a project online? How do you make money from it?
Remember that the secret is to keep it simple. No one knows everything. The Web is so huge and complex that it's impossible to master every aspect. Therefore, you out-source whatever you can't do, or find difficult or unpleasant.
For example, let's say that you want to start a new blog on marine aquariums. It's your hobby, you love it, and you know that since people are searching for information on this topic, a blog would be profitable. But you don't know how to buy a domain name and hosting, or how to install a blog. So out-source it. You should be able to get it done in a few hours for under $50.
Now let's look at your "idea to income" process. You can use this to write a constant stream of ebooks, reports, blogs, courses, classes, and seminars on any topic you choose.
1. Choose a Project
First comes the idea. I like to give myself a month from idea to income. Choosing a project which will be profitable takes longest. Once you have a possibility, check whether others are selling similar products. Try to estimate whether they're making money, and how much. (If you don't know how to do this, you know what to do now: out-source it, and get a competitive intelligence report.)
2. Get It Online
Next, create your product. Yes, you're a writer, but once you've written the outline, and the introduction, the project is solid. You can now out-source the rest of the project if you wish, or you can write it yourself. I like to write all my own projects, because I enjoy it.
Once the project's done, write a sales page and set up payment processing. (Yes, hire it done, if you don't know how.)
3. Promote It
No product sells itself. Promote it via advertising, using both paid and free methods.
4. Make Money
This final step takes care of itself. Keep promoting your product, and then get ready to create another one.
So there you have a process you can use to create products and make money: use it and prosper from your Web writing.
Want to learn more about Web writing and creating your own products to sell? Sell Your Writing Online NOW at http://sellwritingnow.com/Home/training.html is complete training in Web writing which opens the door to unlimited opportunities. Subscribers call it "the best thing I've ever done." You'll discover how to write and sell articles, ebooks and Web sites for profit, and much more.
For free weekly writing information sent to your Inbox, subscribe to Angela's Fab Freelance Writing Ezine at http://www.freelancewritingezine.com/ and receive "Write And Sell Your Writing: The Power-Write Report" immediately.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Angela_Booth
The More Products You Write and Sell Online, the More Money You Make
When you begin your Web writing career, you soon realize that the real money is in selling your own products. However, this seems intimidating. How do you get a project online? How do you make money from it?
Remember that the secret is to keep it simple. No one knows everything. The Web is so huge and complex that it's impossible to master every aspect. Therefore, you out-source whatever you can't do, or find difficult or unpleasant.
For example, let's say that you want to start a new blog on marine aquariums. It's your hobby, you love it, and you know that since people are searching for information on this topic, a blog would be profitable. But you don't know how to buy a domain name and hosting, or how to install a blog. So out-source it. You should be able to get it done in a few hours for under $50.
Now let's look at your "idea to income" process. You can use this to write a constant stream of ebooks, reports, blogs, courses, classes, and seminars on any topic you choose.
1. Choose a Project
First comes the idea. I like to give myself a month from idea to income. Choosing a project which will be profitable takes longest. Once you have a possibility, check whether others are selling similar products. Try to estimate whether they're making money, and how much. (If you don't know how to do this, you know what to do now: out-source it, and get a competitive intelligence report.)
2. Get It Online
Next, create your product. Yes, you're a writer, but once you've written the outline, and the introduction, the project is solid. You can now out-source the rest of the project if you wish, or you can write it yourself. I like to write all my own projects, because I enjoy it.
Once the project's done, write a sales page and set up payment processing. (Yes, hire it done, if you don't know how.)
3. Promote It
No product sells itself. Promote it via advertising, using both paid and free methods.
4. Make Money
This final step takes care of itself. Keep promoting your product, and then get ready to create another one.
So there you have a process you can use to create products and make money: use it and prosper from your Web writing.
Want to learn more about Web writing and creating your own products to sell? Sell Your Writing Online NOW at http://sellwritingnow.com/Home/training.html is complete training in Web writing which opens the door to unlimited opportunities. Subscribers call it "the best thing I've ever done." You'll discover how to write and sell articles, ebooks and Web sites for profit, and much more.
For free weekly writing information sent to your Inbox, subscribe to Angela's Fab Freelance Writing Ezine at http://www.freelancewritingezine.com/ and receive "Write And Sell Your Writing: The Power-Write Report" immediately.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Angela_Booth
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
2008
I checked my Library log on Monday, to see how many books I've read through the year 2008, and was surprised to see 113+!.
So many books, so little time!
2009, my goal is 150.
So many books, so little time!
2009, my goal is 150.
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
The Daemon...eBook to Hardcover
Science fiction, and the concept of eBook publishing have come together in this new book to be released on 1-8-09. I will be putting it on hold at the local library.
Editorial Reviews,From Publishers Weekly
Starred Review. Originally self-published, Suarez's riveting debut would be a perfect gift for a favorite computer geek or anyone who appreciates thrills, chills and cyber suspense. Gaming genius Matthew Sobol, the 34-year-old head of CyberStorm Entertainment, has just died of brain cancer, but death doesn't stop him from initiating an all-out Internet war against humanity. When the authorities investigate Sobol's mansion in Thousand Oaks, Calif., they find themselves under attack from his empty house, aided by an unmanned Hummer that tears into the cops with staggering ferocity. Sobol's weapon is a daemon, a kind of computer process that not only has taken over many of the world's computer systems but also enlists the help of superintelligent human henchmen willing to carry out his diabolical plan. Complicated jargon abounds, but most complexities are reasonably explained. A final twist that runs counter to expectations will leave readers anxiously awaiting the promised sequel. (Jan.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Review
“Suarez’s riveting debut would be a perfect gift for a favorite computer geek or anyone who appreciates thrills, chills and cyber suspense.…A final twist that runs counter to expectations will leave readers anxiously awaiting the promised sequel.”
—Publishers Weekly
“Greatest. Techno-thriller. Period. Suarez presents a fascinating account of autonomous, logic- based terrorism, incorporating current and anticipated technologies to create a credible and quite clever story. Experts have long feared the Internet doomsday scenario; the Daemon is arguably more terrifying.”
—William O’Brien, Director of Cybersecurity and Communications Policy, The White House
“Daemon is the real deal—a scary look at what can go wrong as we depend increasingly on computer networks.”
— Craig Newmark, Founder Craigslist
“[Daniel Suarez] is the best author of tech fiction since Bruce Sterling and Neal Stephenson. Buy everything he writes.”
— John Robb, futurist & Author of Brave New War
“Daemon is better than early Tom Clancy...The tech is invoked with inside knowledge, the writing is better, and deeper issues are explored with greater imagination.”
— Stewart Brand, Founder Whole Earth Catalog & co-founder the Long Now Foundation
“An exciting book that will force you to think about where we are heading as a 'wired' society. It will keep you guessing. You will not want to put it down, and you will not want it to end. It doesn't get much better than that.”
— Steven Winningham, Former CIO, Gap Inc; EVP, Virgin Entertainment Group
http://thedaemon.com/
Friday, January 2, 2009
Something Old, Seems New
I was sifting through some old documents and found some writing I did many years ago.
My mindset was very different then: grim, depressed, dark and moody. One piece titled "Solitude", made little sense now, but I liked the end for some reason:
"The sounds, the words, the wonder of just thinking;
thought without direction, momentary aberrations of time and space;
amazement of imaginary journeys."
The unusual aspects of finding this today was in conjunction with several "Left Behind" movies I watched recently , and a book I am currently reading, "Kéthani" by Eric Brown. Journeys through time and space have always interested me.
My mindset was very different then: grim, depressed, dark and moody. One piece titled "Solitude", made little sense now, but I liked the end for some reason:
"The sounds, the words, the wonder of just thinking;
thought without direction, momentary aberrations of time and space;
amazement of imaginary journeys."
The unusual aspects of finding this today was in conjunction with several "Left Behind" movies I watched recently , and a book I am currently reading, "Kéthani" by Eric Brown. Journeys through time and space have always interested me.
Friday, December 19, 2008
Start a Story with a Brainstorm Draft by Lawrence Roth
I have had a couple of my stories published; therefore I boldly offer my advice on how to write stories. I put together a story structure tool for myself to use when I begin to brainstorm a story. This helps me to outline a story, develop a protagonist and an antagonist, and to eventually write a story.
This story structure tool was mostly adopted from the screenplay guidelines developed by Syd Field. I have added my own touch and modified the guidelines for writing a story. I have also changed the structure to reflect four acts instead of three. Syd Field actually does discuss a four act structure but he still calls it a three act structure. In Syd Field's structure he designates an Act 2a and an Act 2b which I converted to Act 2 and Act 3. Here is the structure with definitions that I use:
Act I. Provocation
Opening The opening summarizes and sets the tone of the story.
Catalyst The catalyst is an inciting incident that will change the direction of the protagonist's life.
First Plot Point The first plot point is a surprising development that will radically change the protagonist's life and force him or her towards confrontation with the antagonist.
First Pinch The first pinch is an incident that addresses the main conflict and increases barriers between the protagonist and his or her goal.
Act II. Escalation
Middle Plot Point The middle plot point is a reversal of fortune or revelation that changes the direction of the story further decreasing the protagonist's ability to reach his or her goal.
Second Pinch The second pinch is an incident, similar to the first pinch, that address the main conflict and increases barriers between the protagonist and his or her goal.
Act III. Confrontation
Last Plot Point The last plot point is the incident that forces the protagonist to finally confront the antagonist.
Showdown The showdown is where the protagonist has the final battle with the antagonist and either wins or loses.
Act IV. Resolution
Resolution The resolution demonstrates how the issues of the story are resolved.
Epilogue The epilogue ties up the loose ends of the story and brings closure.
I define a basic story as being about a protagonist who must confront an antagonist to achieve a goal. Therefore, to start the process of brainstorming a story I decide on a name for my protagonist and a name for my antagonist. Then I decide what the goal is.
After outlining the main events in my story I start what I call the Brainstorm Draft. The problem I have had in the past is that I have started writing many stories but encountered the inevitable writer's block and did not finish the stories.
In the Brainstorm Draft I write the story from beginning to end using the outline as a guide. When I come across writer's block and find logic gaps in the transition from one event to another I keep writing regardless.
I have written several Brainstorm Drafts where Acts I, II, III and IV have no logical transition between them. For example I started one story that began with a character in a warehouse distribution center with the next event having the character being trapped in an underground tunnel beneath a mansion. How did the character get from one place to other?
I did not know at the time and I did not care. I did use the outline I had established to give direction to the story. I do not worry about making a logical transition until I write the rough draft.
In the Brainstorm Draft if I need a character in a warehouse in one event and then in a tunnel in the next event then that is what happens with or without a logical explanation. The reason I do this is to get the story written.
The Brainstorm Draft does two things for me: It helps me develop the characters and the story. The brainstorm session which can actually take a few hours each day for a couple of weeks is by far the most fun. This is when the characters come to life for me. I get to know the characters and their little personality quirks. I also develop a better sense of the story. I visualize the events and locations where the story takes place. It is after the Brainstorm Draft that the real work begins. This involves putting the rough draft together, editing and making names for the additional characters born within the brainstorm draft.
Therefore, brainstorming a Brainstorm Draft gets the main events from the outline written down, develops characters and prepares the story for a rough draft.
About the Author
Lawrence Roth in an independent web developer who owns and maintains rothline.com. Lawrence has worked on various e-commerce and website projects. Lawrence writes articles and stories to submit to online publications.
This story structure tool was mostly adopted from the screenplay guidelines developed by Syd Field. I have added my own touch and modified the guidelines for writing a story. I have also changed the structure to reflect four acts instead of three. Syd Field actually does discuss a four act structure but he still calls it a three act structure. In Syd Field's structure he designates an Act 2a and an Act 2b which I converted to Act 2 and Act 3. Here is the structure with definitions that I use:
Act I. Provocation
Opening The opening summarizes and sets the tone of the story.
Catalyst The catalyst is an inciting incident that will change the direction of the protagonist's life.
First Plot Point The first plot point is a surprising development that will radically change the protagonist's life and force him or her towards confrontation with the antagonist.
First Pinch The first pinch is an incident that addresses the main conflict and increases barriers between the protagonist and his or her goal.
Act II. Escalation
Middle Plot Point The middle plot point is a reversal of fortune or revelation that changes the direction of the story further decreasing the protagonist's ability to reach his or her goal.
Second Pinch The second pinch is an incident, similar to the first pinch, that address the main conflict and increases barriers between the protagonist and his or her goal.
Act III. Confrontation
Last Plot Point The last plot point is the incident that forces the protagonist to finally confront the antagonist.
Showdown The showdown is where the protagonist has the final battle with the antagonist and either wins or loses.
Act IV. Resolution
Resolution The resolution demonstrates how the issues of the story are resolved.
Epilogue The epilogue ties up the loose ends of the story and brings closure.
I define a basic story as being about a protagonist who must confront an antagonist to achieve a goal. Therefore, to start the process of brainstorming a story I decide on a name for my protagonist and a name for my antagonist. Then I decide what the goal is.
After outlining the main events in my story I start what I call the Brainstorm Draft. The problem I have had in the past is that I have started writing many stories but encountered the inevitable writer's block and did not finish the stories.
In the Brainstorm Draft I write the story from beginning to end using the outline as a guide. When I come across writer's block and find logic gaps in the transition from one event to another I keep writing regardless.
I have written several Brainstorm Drafts where Acts I, II, III and IV have no logical transition between them. For example I started one story that began with a character in a warehouse distribution center with the next event having the character being trapped in an underground tunnel beneath a mansion. How did the character get from one place to other?
I did not know at the time and I did not care. I did use the outline I had established to give direction to the story. I do not worry about making a logical transition until I write the rough draft.
In the Brainstorm Draft if I need a character in a warehouse in one event and then in a tunnel in the next event then that is what happens with or without a logical explanation. The reason I do this is to get the story written.
The Brainstorm Draft does two things for me: It helps me develop the characters and the story. The brainstorm session which can actually take a few hours each day for a couple of weeks is by far the most fun. This is when the characters come to life for me. I get to know the characters and their little personality quirks. I also develop a better sense of the story. I visualize the events and locations where the story takes place. It is after the Brainstorm Draft that the real work begins. This involves putting the rough draft together, editing and making names for the additional characters born within the brainstorm draft.
Therefore, brainstorming a Brainstorm Draft gets the main events from the outline written down, develops characters and prepares the story for a rough draft.
About the Author
Lawrence Roth in an independent web developer who owns and maintains rothline.com. Lawrence has worked on various e-commerce and website projects. Lawrence writes articles and stories to submit to online publications.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Just Another Day
Before he sank into the black obscurity of unconsciousness, all Sam remembered was a blinding flash of white light and a wave of heat.
He woke up slowly, wondering if he was dead or alive. Then the pain hit him, along with the realization that, yes, he was alive. Alive and pinned under the rubble of bricks, plaster, and the other various debris from whatever buildings used to tower over the spot where he now lay.
Sam was an ex-soldier, Special Forces...a sniper in Vietnam. He had felt pain in the past and somehow knew that nothing was broken. Huge puddles of his blood were not evident, his vision was a little blurred, and his hearing was kinda shot. But all in all, he felt OK considering.
He began to move his arms and legs, and slowly the pile of bricks fell off him in clouds of dust. He made several attempts to stand upright, and finally caught his balance. It was about that moment he looked up and noticed the mushroom cloud of a nuclear explosion, about ten miles to the east, rising black-orange higher and higher in the pale blue sky. Sam sat back down.
He gazed slowly around trying to get a fix on where he was. Then throught the rubble, he noticed a glint of light, bright and golden. It was a cross sitting erect, by itself among the bricks and dust. ST Michael The Archangel Church. That was what had fallen on him...or saved him.
To be continued
He woke up slowly, wondering if he was dead or alive. Then the pain hit him, along with the realization that, yes, he was alive. Alive and pinned under the rubble of bricks, plaster, and the other various debris from whatever buildings used to tower over the spot where he now lay.
Sam was an ex-soldier, Special Forces...a sniper in Vietnam. He had felt pain in the past and somehow knew that nothing was broken. Huge puddles of his blood were not evident, his vision was a little blurred, and his hearing was kinda shot. But all in all, he felt OK considering.
He began to move his arms and legs, and slowly the pile of bricks fell off him in clouds of dust. He made several attempts to stand upright, and finally caught his balance. It was about that moment he looked up and noticed the mushroom cloud of a nuclear explosion, about ten miles to the east, rising black-orange higher and higher in the pale blue sky. Sam sat back down.
He gazed slowly around trying to get a fix on where he was. Then throught the rubble, he noticed a glint of light, bright and golden. It was a cross sitting erect, by itself among the bricks and dust. ST Michael The Archangel Church. That was what had fallen on him...or saved him.
To be continued
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Bookstores For Sale
Two blocks from my apartment, in the basement of an old church, is a used bookstore for sale. At best, it is disorganized chaos, mismatched fixtures, with lots of room for improvement. The location is good, on the streetcar line and is located in the "Cultural District" which also contains, the university, state history museum, theaters and the art museum.
In most places I have lived, in other states, there was always at least one small, independent bookstore, usually a used bookstore. A few were more interesting than others, depending on size and type of books. Most had little or no seating for perusing, narrow aisles, and were dimly lit. But, they did have a certain unique character.
The owner of this particular bookstore claims to own over 350,000 books in storage! The content various and is mostlu paperbooks, but he also has an on-line presence. In researching this post, many are in this category, but there seems to be "niche" marketers specializing in rare/antique, textbooks, technical books, adult books, christian, new age, mystery, etc. I would imagine the local market would determine in part the specialty if any the bookstore would fill.
In addition some of these retailers, double as "gift shops" and related merchandise. My opinion would be to stick to just books.
There seem to be books available on start-up, wholesale buying (several companies use Abe books for pricing) http://www.abebooks.com/ . Many advice on buying a bookstore are available in E-book format as well. Have any of you readers ever bought, owned, or thought of buying a bookstore? I'd like to hear from you.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bookstore
In most places I have lived, in other states, there was always at least one small, independent bookstore, usually a used bookstore. A few were more interesting than others, depending on size and type of books. Most had little or no seating for perusing, narrow aisles, and were dimly lit. But, they did have a certain unique character.
The owner of this particular bookstore claims to own over 350,000 books in storage! The content various and is mostlu paperbooks, but he also has an on-line presence. In researching this post, many are in this category, but there seems to be "niche" marketers specializing in rare/antique, textbooks, technical books, adult books, christian, new age, mystery, etc. I would imagine the local market would determine in part the specialty if any the bookstore would fill.
In addition some of these retailers, double as "gift shops" and related merchandise. My opinion would be to stick to just books.
There seem to be books available on start-up, wholesale buying (several companies use Abe books for pricing) http://www.abebooks.com/ . Many advice on buying a bookstore are available in E-book format as well. Have any of you readers ever bought, owned, or thought of buying a bookstore? I'd like to hear from you.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bookstore
Thursday, November 20, 2008
My "Red" Grandma
My Finnish grandmother came to America in 1905, along with several brothers and sisters. They settled in Northern Minnesota. As long as I can remember, she told me wonderful stories about homesteading and the adventures of my grandfather, hunting, trapping, and enduring the cold dark winters of the Superior National Forest.
Eventually she met my grandfather and they settled on a homestead of 80 acres. My grandfather worked in the Mesabi Range Iron Mines, and they once lived in the town of Sparta, now named Gilbert. I was told they once had a small store and my grandmother taught school.
My father was born in 1915, and in 1916, the union workers at the mines went on strike, and eventually most were blackballed. I’ve assumed my grandpa was among them.
In 1917 my grandparents and toddler father, left Minnesota and their homestead, and returned to Finland, evidently to take part in the “Glorious Revolution”, the Finnish Civil War. They were Bolsheviks...Reds..Communists...and they lost. An uncle on my grandfather’s side became a member of Parliament from the Communist Party, renamed the Social Democratic Party.
In 1922 my grandparents and father returned to the USA, only to find their homestead in Minnesota, looted or burned down. (Was it retaliation perhaps for the strike and union membership?). Grandmother’s brothers and sisters lived in the Syracuse, NY area, so they moved there. My grandfather worked at the Sanderson Steel Mill, which eventually became Crucible Steel, the remainder of his work life.
In 1929, I was told my father (age 15), had been photographed for the local Syracuse newspaper, climbing a flagpole to attach the Russian Communist flag. You see, my father, was also a Communist. This was at one of the numerous Communist Youth Camps that flourished in New York State at this time. Upon reflection, this appears to be the “Camp” I spent many a summer at from my birth, to the birth of my oldest daughter, roughly from 1948 – 1972 swimming, water skiing, hiking, watching bonfires and when old enough, drinking beer.
In 1936 my grandma ran for Congress of the United States, as a member of the Communist Party, in Central NY. She lost. Her name, however, is cited in the “House on Un-American Activities Committee Hearings, 1955”. (McCarthy hearings)
I only found out about some of this recently, through research, and first heard of the Communist Party membership in 1976 from my father, when they visited the birth of my second daughter. I find it strange that they kept this “family secret” from me all those years, but it does explain some things I always wondered about. For example, the bronze table lamp my grandmother kept in her closet. It was the stature of “Mother Russia”. She also had an old crank RCA phonograph, and many 33 rpm records (like new), one being the Russian National Anthem. My sister and I were somehow forbidden to learn Finnish (perhaps my mother’s doing?). But my father, grandparents and their friends often spoke it.
It is all rather amazing. My grandma, who was only 5 feet tall and weighed at most 110 pounds, who made me pudding and baked Finnish breads, like Puula, told me stories about their life in Minnesota, and entertained me with her little parakeets through the years, all named “Cherri”. I have had two parakeets, one blue and one green. I named them both “Cherri”.
My little Finnish Grandma loved me unconditionally. She always got incredibly excited if I brought her violets, a simple gift, or even a visit as often as I could. I miss her terribly, even after the 25 years since she passed away.
Once she was a feisty young agitator, a socialist, a communist, a revolutionary……she was my “Red” grandma!
Sunday, November 9, 2008
Research Libraries
I sometimes visit University Libraries, and have used several in the past for thesis research. Upon a recent visit to Portland State University Library, as I wandered through various subject areas and book stacks, I noticed that most of the books were 40+ years old.
That seemed strangely outdated. When writing my thesis in Grad School, my second draft, being a couple of years from the original, caused my advisor to suggested I insert fresher information/research sources.
Why then would a major university library maintain 40+ year old books? Of course some subjects, hard sciences like physics, chemistry, and or mathematics would change quickly. Literature, of course, contains many "classics" and would cover centuries. Social Sciences, would at first thought, have a slightly longer time frame than hard science to be considered out of date for research.
Is there any rule of thumb? Why yes, there seems to be.
http://www.marygrove.edu/library/tutorial/research/tutorial12a.asp
I would guess that the main reason for not purging these old materials and replacing them with new, is funding. It would seem though, that current research materials would be a high priority for any major university library. The fact that many research items have gone "digital", may decrease the demand for material in "book" form.
That seemed strangely outdated. When writing my thesis in Grad School, my second draft, being a couple of years from the original, caused my advisor to suggested I insert fresher information/research sources.
Why then would a major university library maintain 40+ year old books? Of course some subjects, hard sciences like physics, chemistry, and or mathematics would change quickly. Literature, of course, contains many "classics" and would cover centuries. Social Sciences, would at first thought, have a slightly longer time frame than hard science to be considered out of date for research.
Is there any rule of thumb? Why yes, there seems to be.
http://www.marygrove.edu/library/tutorial/research/tutorial12a.asp
I would guess that the main reason for not purging these old materials and replacing them with new, is funding. It would seem though, that current research materials would be a high priority for any major university library. The fact that many research items have gone "digital", may decrease the demand for material in "book" form.
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Wordstock 2008
Portland's primer event for book lovers and authors is this weekend November 7-9, 2008.
http://www.wordstockfestival.com/#/page_id=110/
http://www.wordstockfestival.com/#/page_id=110/
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
The Last Election of 2008
Election Day is finally here, thank God. Two years of hell, hours of negative commercials, and rants from folks like Rush Limbaugh. Tonight, the victor will take the spoils of all this home and put it on a shelf!
2008 is the first time I have voted since the fiasco of 2000, and it will also probably be my last vote, for many reasons. One being, who really knows what happens to that ballot once it leaves your hands? Can you say "Hanging Chads"?
I fail to appreciate "Representative Government".....that's not democracy, that's a Republic...like ancient Rome. I would be content on removing all "Professional Politicians" and vote via the Internet, on all major policies. (Yes the Internet is safe for voting. You do your taxes, banking, and pay bills on it don't you?)
From my viewpoint, of the poor and working poor, the future of the USA seems lost in a fog of hopelessness and greed. 2012 approaches and many feel the End is near, in many ways. War, famine, overpopulation, depression, pandemic disease, etc. are just some of the many, and perhaps simultaneous crisis to End our world as we know it.
How does this affect our jobs, lifestyle, retirement, families and businesses?
Well, for one thing, strategic planning for worse case scenarios, can't hurt. Not planning and going ahead with wide eyed optimism may be fatal...to the country, to the world, to your family, and yourself.
More in future posts.
2008 is the first time I have voted since the fiasco of 2000, and it will also probably be my last vote, for many reasons. One being, who really knows what happens to that ballot once it leaves your hands? Can you say "Hanging Chads"?
I fail to appreciate "Representative Government".....that's not democracy, that's a Republic...like ancient Rome. I would be content on removing all "Professional Politicians" and vote via the Internet, on all major policies. (Yes the Internet is safe for voting. You do your taxes, banking, and pay bills on it don't you?)
From my viewpoint, of the poor and working poor, the future of the USA seems lost in a fog of hopelessness and greed. 2012 approaches and many feel the End is near, in many ways. War, famine, overpopulation, depression, pandemic disease, etc. are just some of the many, and perhaps simultaneous crisis to End our world as we know it.
How does this affect our jobs, lifestyle, retirement, families and businesses?
Well, for one thing, strategic planning for worse case scenarios, can't hurt. Not planning and going ahead with wide eyed optimism may be fatal...to the country, to the world, to your family, and yourself.
More in future posts.
Thursday, October 23, 2008
American Rune Mysteries Prove That Vikings Came in 1010AD
Forget Columbus Day, The Vikings came first! When is Viking Day?
Rune Mysteries America's Nordic Heritage There exists an encyclopedia of Norse anti-facts, locations of Archaeological sites, Historical accounts, maps and testimonials that document the existence of vast Viking Settlements in North American Colonies prior to Columbus.
The elitist Academicians and satirizing editors of the Smithsonian Institute, as well as the bureaucrats at the National Endowment of the Humanities have hidden them from us. The National Geographic is also guilty of false publications regarding the discovery of America.
Where ever the Vikings went, they left the Rune Mysteries. The records of Viking explorations from Iceland and Greenland penetrating far into America is clearly remarkable. The Vikings imported furs, lumber, ivory, oil, wine and fish back to the European markets.
Those Viking Colonies are clearly marked on medieval maps. Vineland, Norvera, Greenland Province, Venteland, Wineland and Suinlandia!. In the 16th Century the land of Vinland extended from the Gulf of the St. Lawrence to Florida. It was known as Norumbega, the "Northern Settlement."
Norse artifacts extended far into the interior to Minnesota and the Dakotas.
W.R. Anderson, president of the Leif Ericson Society, and editor - in chief of "Vikingship Journal" lives in Evanston, IL. Look him up on the net, to read more about our "Forgotten History."
Anderson does not own a PHD nor is he recognized as a Historian or an Anthropologist. Just dedication to the perseverance of our Nordic-Viking heritage.
Who were the first Americans and where did they come from? Answers to this question have taken us back to 100,000 B. C.??
But we do know that Eric, The Red, Thornaldson, born in Norway was banished to Iceland. In 982. He discovered Greenland. There were no Jails in Norway or Iceland, Punishment for manslaughter was banishment.
Eric followed in the wake of his cousin, Gunnbjorn Ulfson, who found Islands west of Iceland. Eric sailed further and found a large island and called it Greenland to attract other Vikings.
One of the later Greenlanders, Bjarni Herjulfson was blown off course and saw the American continent. He reported back to Eric.
In 1003, Lief Ericson recalled Bjanni's tale of land to the west and brought his ship.
Eric did not go because of his superstitious nature. On the way to the ship his horse stumbled throwing Eric to the ground. He viewed it as a 'Bad Omen' and stayed home. Leif sailed to what is bow known as Cape Cod on September 1, 1003. The Vikings landed and discovered America.
Lief's brother arrived in 1005 and explored as far south as Florida. He stopped near Savannah GA. and wanted to establish a colony. But he was killed by Indians by the Savannah River. Where ever the Vikings went, you can find artifacts of Rune Mysteries. More to follow.
Ellis Peterson AKA Ragnar Storyteller is a retired math professor and electronics engineer. He has been studying astrology, runes, radionics, metaphysics and alternate healing treatments for over 30 years. He is 70+, in very good health and lives in the boonies of the Pocono mountains with his wife Lory. His writings are unique and refreshing.
To see more of his writings visit his websites.
http://www.olevikingshop.com/
and
http://www.runes-for-health-wealth-love-now.com/
and
http://www.radionics-quantum-physics.com/
Or go to goggle and type in his pen name RAGNAR STORYTELLER for his listings. He is also a ghost writer and will write and article for you. Email Ragnar for his FREE 10 PART MINI-COURSE, "How-To use Quantum Physics in Your Every Day Life to Attract More Wealth, Health and Love, Now."
You can contact him at:
ragnarstoryteller2@gmail.com
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Travel to the Edge
I would like to recommend a wonderful travel & photography series called "Travel to the Edge". Canon and the photographer Art Wolf, not only show many special and dramatic photos and videos, but travel to some of the most beautiful scenery on earth.
I especially liked the Patagonia and Japanese segments.
If you like exotic travel to natural environments and digital photography, please catch an episode of the fine PBS series.
http://www.travelstotheedge.com/series/
Thursday, October 2, 2008
The Light is on, But No One is Home
I gaze discreetly across the semi-crowded room upon two middle aged females. Their dim beady eyes were dull and lifeless. Down trodden by life, poor health, or the faint glimmer of the intelligence of a gerbil?
They exchange words, incomplete sentences, “I need a pen, I need a piece of paper” the dimmer one mumbles in a childlike whine. “What? You carry a purse, but don’t have no pen?” says the other. I grimace. My six year old granddaughter is smarter than these two 40 year olds.
I wonder how they and hundreds of others I see on the street manage to tie their shoes in the morning, let alone muddle through life’s daily challenges. How do they make an intelligent, informed decision? Or do they go by instinct and emotion….I am hungry, I eat?
These squinty eyed, dim people, are a large portion of America. They are almost always, squinty eyed, by the way. Is it inbreeding, something in the water, radioactive fallout, the education system, or just bad genes?
I only know it is sad, disturbing, and growing. I’ll be more impressed the next time I meet a gerbil.
They exchange words, incomplete sentences, “I need a pen, I need a piece of paper” the dimmer one mumbles in a childlike whine. “What? You carry a purse, but don’t have no pen?” says the other. I grimace. My six year old granddaughter is smarter than these two 40 year olds.
I wonder how they and hundreds of others I see on the street manage to tie their shoes in the morning, let alone muddle through life’s daily challenges. How do they make an intelligent, informed decision? Or do they go by instinct and emotion….I am hungry, I eat?
These squinty eyed, dim people, are a large portion of America. They are almost always, squinty eyed, by the way. Is it inbreeding, something in the water, radioactive fallout, the education system, or just bad genes?
I only know it is sad, disturbing, and growing. I’ll be more impressed the next time I meet a gerbil.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Watering Acorns
Sitting on a park bench, waiting for my bus connection, I gazed upon this old guy squirting water onto the soil from a squeeze ketchup bottle. His cart contained three gallons of plastic water jugs and a large coffee can. He was quite diligent. I thought, OK, he planted and is watering acorns, yet another crazy "street person". I looked up and all the trees in sight were Elms. Uh huh.
Next a blind man and a seeing eye dog came up and walked repeatedly right into the guys cart and trampled where he was working. The old guy says, "Hey, what are you blind?" and looks up. The blind guy apologizes and clomps away. I look around for the "Candid Camera".
I finally asked, "What, pray tell, are you watering sir?" Still thinking acorns. He replies, "I am catching worms. They cost $2.58 a dozen. I can't afford to go fishing otherwise." Whoa, a real nutter, I think.
He then stops and walks over to me and shows me his secret. A teaspoon of Coleman's powdered mustard and water mixed up in the ketchup squeeze bottle. I am intrigued, but still dubious. Squirt, squirt. I watch....out pops a six inch worm, again and again, one from every hole, in seconds of the application. Uh huh.
My bus finally arrived. I thanked him for the transfer of knowledge. Now I know how to catch worms in the middle of a dry day! More useful survival knowledge to add to my collection. Now where did I put that squirt bottle?
Next a blind man and a seeing eye dog came up and walked repeatedly right into the guys cart and trampled where he was working. The old guy says, "Hey, what are you blind?" and looks up. The blind guy apologizes and clomps away. I look around for the "Candid Camera".
I finally asked, "What, pray tell, are you watering sir?" Still thinking acorns. He replies, "I am catching worms. They cost $2.58 a dozen. I can't afford to go fishing otherwise." Whoa, a real nutter, I think.
He then stops and walks over to me and shows me his secret. A teaspoon of Coleman's powdered mustard and water mixed up in the ketchup squeeze bottle. I am intrigued, but still dubious. Squirt, squirt. I watch....out pops a six inch worm, again and again, one from every hole, in seconds of the application. Uh huh.
My bus finally arrived. I thanked him for the transfer of knowledge. Now I know how to catch worms in the middle of a dry day! More useful survival knowledge to add to my collection. Now where did I put that squirt bottle?
Sunday, August 10, 2008
ExploringTechnical Writing
Technical writing bears a special place in the writing world. It requires a diligence and knowledge base that goes beyond a little research; even people who call themselves 'technical writers' many times end up taking confusing jargon and changing it to, well, more confusing jargon. Good technical writing requires the author to be neat, organized, and above all, concise.
In the beginning, technical writing primarily referred to writing about technology in the form of content like end-user manuals, white papers, system design documents, web sites, and similar materials for companies like engineering firms and IT companies. In the last few years, however, technical writing has evolved and drifted into many other fields such as finance, business, marketing, and more.
Like any type of writing, technical writing requires preparation. You have to identify your target audience and ask questions like: who is your reader? How well do they know the subject matter? Are there multiple audiences?
After you've assessed your audience, you need to ascertain your purpose. Why are you writing this document? What is your goal? What do you want your audience to know or be able to do when you're done?
Researching a topic is essential before you write an article, report, or other material, and technical writing is no different. In fact, you could argue that technical writing requires more research than other types of writing because, in order to write about a technical subject, you need to know it well. Getting acquainted with completely new software, for example, can take hours of research. This is why a company might choose a field expert with no writing experience over a professional writer; they're already intimate with the subject, and may know how to communicate it well.
However, this can backfire. If an expert software engineer writes an instruction manual for a piece of software that's going to be marketed to average consumers, but only other software engineers will understand the material, its useless.
Though some shy away from technical writing, it can be enjoyable. Writing about cutting-edge gadgets, new technologies, new software, evolutions in business and marketing, and any number of other topics can be both rewarding and captivating.
If you're interested in technical writing, do the (surprise!) research and find examples, tutorials, classes; whatever resources you can use. Practice translating highly technical jargon to ordinary language or take a technical writing course. Learn how to avoid the sinkholes and swamps of jargon and create truly concise, understandable writing that speaks clearly to its audience.
Source: http://www.articlecircle.com/ - Free Articles Directory
About the Author
Aurora Mae Brown writes for AM Professional Writing Services, a Los Angeles based company that provides press releases, technical writing, business writing, website content, SEO articles, and more. See http://www.auroramae.com for more information.
In the beginning, technical writing primarily referred to writing about technology in the form of content like end-user manuals, white papers, system design documents, web sites, and similar materials for companies like engineering firms and IT companies. In the last few years, however, technical writing has evolved and drifted into many other fields such as finance, business, marketing, and more.
Like any type of writing, technical writing requires preparation. You have to identify your target audience and ask questions like: who is your reader? How well do they know the subject matter? Are there multiple audiences?
After you've assessed your audience, you need to ascertain your purpose. Why are you writing this document? What is your goal? What do you want your audience to know or be able to do when you're done?
Researching a topic is essential before you write an article, report, or other material, and technical writing is no different. In fact, you could argue that technical writing requires more research than other types of writing because, in order to write about a technical subject, you need to know it well. Getting acquainted with completely new software, for example, can take hours of research. This is why a company might choose a field expert with no writing experience over a professional writer; they're already intimate with the subject, and may know how to communicate it well.
However, this can backfire. If an expert software engineer writes an instruction manual for a piece of software that's going to be marketed to average consumers, but only other software engineers will understand the material, its useless.
Though some shy away from technical writing, it can be enjoyable. Writing about cutting-edge gadgets, new technologies, new software, evolutions in business and marketing, and any number of other topics can be both rewarding and captivating.
If you're interested in technical writing, do the (surprise!) research and find examples, tutorials, classes; whatever resources you can use. Practice translating highly technical jargon to ordinary language or take a technical writing course. Learn how to avoid the sinkholes and swamps of jargon and create truly concise, understandable writing that speaks clearly to its audience.
Source: http://www.articlecircle.com/ - Free Articles Directory
About the Author
Aurora Mae Brown writes for AM Professional Writing Services, a Los Angeles based company that provides press releases, technical writing, business writing, website content, SEO articles, and more. See http://www.auroramae.com for more information.
Monday, July 21, 2008
7 Universities Providing Access to Free Literature Courses Online
Taking a literature course is similar to reading, but it is a much better way to delve into the books you love. Begin studying literature today with one or more of the free online literature courses offered at universities like MIT and UC - Berkeley.
1. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (mit.edu)
Major English Novels Course
MIT's OpenCourseWare program offers access to more than 80 free literature courses. One of the most recent is the Major English Novels Course, which features readings, assignments and concentrated study of the novel genre. Registration is not required.
2. Western Governors University (wgu.edu)
Literature Course- Parts I and II
Western Governors University's Liberal Arts Department offers a downloadable literature course that is free to everyone. Course topics are split into ten modules and include everything from poetry and drama to fiction and literary ethics. Registration is not required.
3. The University of Utah (utah.edu)
Introduction to Shakespeare
The University of Utah's free literature course is a comprehensive introduction to the works of Shakespeare. The course is easy to download and includes seven lessons, reading assignments and other accessible resources. Registration is not required.
4. University of California, Berkeley (berkely.edu)
Shakespeare Course
UC Berkeley webcasts select courses every semester. The Shakespeare Course includes 32 lectures on Shakespeare and readings of his best works. All webcasts can be downloaded in mp3 format or heard on a free version of RealPlayer. Registration is not required.
5. University of Sheffield (shef.ac.uk)
Criticism and Literary Theory Course
The University of Sheffield's Department of English Literature provides free access to a great literary theory course designed for intermediate and advanced students. Course materials include an introduction, notes from lectures and links to relevant articles and resources. Registration is not required.
6. Open University (open.ac.uk)
Approaching Prose Fiction
The free literature course offered by the UK's Open University introduces you to studying literary texts at a university level. The course takes about 20 hours to complete and includes several units of study. Registration is not required.
7. Utah State University (usu.edu)
Introduction to Writing
Utah State University doesn't offer a free course completely devoted to literature, but you can access an online interpretation of the university's English 1010 course. Materials include a PDF of the English 101 handbook, reading assignments and more. Registration is not required.
1. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (mit.edu)
Major English Novels Course
MIT's OpenCourseWare program offers access to more than 80 free literature courses. One of the most recent is the Major English Novels Course, which features readings, assignments and concentrated study of the novel genre. Registration is not required.
2. Western Governors University (wgu.edu)
Literature Course- Parts I and II
Western Governors University's Liberal Arts Department offers a downloadable literature course that is free to everyone. Course topics are split into ten modules and include everything from poetry and drama to fiction and literary ethics. Registration is not required.
3. The University of Utah (utah.edu)
Introduction to Shakespeare
The University of Utah's free literature course is a comprehensive introduction to the works of Shakespeare. The course is easy to download and includes seven lessons, reading assignments and other accessible resources. Registration is not required.
4. University of California, Berkeley (berkely.edu)
Shakespeare Course
UC Berkeley webcasts select courses every semester. The Shakespeare Course includes 32 lectures on Shakespeare and readings of his best works. All webcasts can be downloaded in mp3 format or heard on a free version of RealPlayer. Registration is not required.
5. University of Sheffield (shef.ac.uk)
Criticism and Literary Theory Course
The University of Sheffield's Department of English Literature provides free access to a great literary theory course designed for intermediate and advanced students. Course materials include an introduction, notes from lectures and links to relevant articles and resources. Registration is not required.
6. Open University (open.ac.uk)
Approaching Prose Fiction
The free literature course offered by the UK's Open University introduces you to studying literary texts at a university level. The course takes about 20 hours to complete and includes several units of study. Registration is not required.
7. Utah State University (usu.edu)
Introduction to Writing
Utah State University doesn't offer a free course completely devoted to literature, but you can access an online interpretation of the university's English 1010 course. Materials include a PDF of the English 101 handbook, reading assignments and more. Registration is not required.
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Timeless Classics.......?
To quote a movie character, "Just cause it's old, doesn't make it classic!"
I'll put an asterisk next to the ones I have ever read. Uh huh.
Timeless Classics
An old Chinese proverb says, 'A book is like a garden in the pocket.' Many of us who have valued reading in our early years derive enjoyment from reading to our children, and now, as I do, to our grandchildren. Books are voyages of discovery and transforming instruments to all of us.
A few years ago, the National Endowment for the Humanities asked schools around the country to send reading lists of their favorite books. Noticing how often books that other generations have enjoyed appear on these lists, we decided to make this compilation of tried-and- true titles. The works herein, published in 1960 or earlier, have delighted generations of readers.
Some have asked, 'Is the book dead?' as we move into new computer technologies. Not at all. Print text will co-exist with these new mediums.
As concerned parents, educators, and counselors, we must continue to emphasize the importance of access to good reading in order to shape our students’ learning process, enhance their understanding of American heritage, and open up a new world of self-fulfillment. As Aldous Huxley said, 'The proper study of mankind is books.'
There are some excellent older books that are missing from the list, because they appeared too infrequently in the school selections: Kate Douglas Wiggin’s Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm, for example; Dylan Thomas’s A Child’s Christmas in Wales; Frederick Douglass’s Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass. Despite the absences, we hope this compilation will nevertheless bring hours of pleasure and enlightenment.
The titles presented for suggested extracurricular reading provide a solid foundation and hours of enjoyment for students and scholars of all ages.
We at NEH hope that the 'Timeless Classics' booklist will continue to be a rich source of material for everyone.
Sheldon Hackney Chairman
'Books are humanity in print' ...Barbara Tuchman
'Literature is an investment of genius which pays dividends to all subsequent times.' ...John Burroughs
'All that mankind has done, thought, gained, or been: it is lying as in magic preservation in the pages of books.' ...Thomas Carlyle
### Kindergarten through Grade 6 ###
Adamson, Joy Born Free
Aesop Fables*
Alcott, Louisa May Little Women
*Andersen, Hans Christian Fairy tales
Atwater, Richard and Florence Mr. Popper’s Penguins*
Bailey, Carolyn Sherwin Miss Hickory
Recommended for K-3, either for reading by children or for reading to them.
*Barrie, J.M. Peter Pan
Baum, L. Frank The Wonderful Wizard of Oz
*Bemelmans, Ludwig Madeline series* A favorite of mine!
Bond, Michael A Bear Called Paddington
Boston, L.M. The Children of Green Knowe
Brink, Carol Ryrie Caddie Woodlawn
Brown, Margaret Wise Goodnight, Moon*
Brunhoff, Jean de The Story of Babar*
Burnett, Frances Hodgson The Secret Garden
*Burton, Virginia Lee Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel*
Butterworth, Oliver The Enormous Egg
Clark, Ann Nolan Secret of the Andes
Cleary, Beverly Henry Huggins series
Coatsworth, Elizabeth The Cat Who Went to Heaven
Dalgliesh, Alice The Bears on Hemlock Mountain* The Courage of Sarah Noble*
De Angeli, Marguerite The Door in the Wall
De Jong, Meindert The House of Sixty Fathers The Wheel on the School
*Dodge, Mary Mapes Hans Brinker, or the Silver Skates
Du Bois, William Pene The Twenty-One Balloons
Edmonds, Walter D. The Matchlock Gun
Estes, Eleanor Ginger Pye Moffats series
Farley, Walter The Black Stallion
Field, Rachel Hitty, Her First Hundred Years
Fritz, Jean The Cabin Faced West
Gilbreth, Frank B. and Ernestine G. Carey Cheaper By the Dozen
Gipson, Fred Old Yeller
Godden, Rumer The Mousewife*
Grahame, Kenneth The Reluctant Dragon* The Wind in the Willows f
Gray, Elizabeth Janet Adam of the Road
*Grimm, Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm’s Fairy Tales
Hawes, Charles The Dark Frigate
Haywood, Carolyn Betsy series*
Henry, Marguerite King of the Wind Misty of Chincoteague
Keith, Harold Rifles for Watie
Kelly, Eric The Trumpeter of Krakow
Kipling, Rudyard Captains Courageous Just So Stories for Little Children* The Jungle Books
Kjelgaard, Jim Big Red
Knight, Eric Lassie Come Home
Krumgold, Joseph ...and Now Miguel Onion John
LaFarge, Oliver Laughing Boy
Lamb, Charles and Mary Tales from Shakespear
Latham, Jean Lee Carry on, Mr. Bowditch
Lawson, Robert Ben & Me Rabbit Hill
Leaf, Munro The Story of Ferdinand*
Lear, Edward Book of Nonsense*
Lenski, Lois Strawberry Girl
Lewis, C.S. Chronicles of Narnia series
Lindgren, Astrid Pippi Longstocking series
Lofting, Hugh Doctor Doolittle series
*London, Jack The Call of the Wild White Fang
*MacDonald, Betty Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle*
MacGregor, Ellen Miss Pickerell series
McCloskey, Robert Blueberries for Sal* Homer Price Make Way for Ducklings*
McSwigan, Marie Snow Treasure
Meigs, Cornelia Invincible Louisa
Milne, A.A. The House at Pooh Corner* Now We Are Six* When We Were Very Young* Winnie-the-Pooh*
Minarik, Else Holmelund Little Bear
Montgomery, L.M. Anne of Green Gables
Mukerji, Dhan Ghopal Gay-Neck, the Story of a Pigeon
Norton, Mary The Borrowers series
O’Hara, Mary My Friend Flicka
Pearce, Philippa Tom’s Midnight Garden
Perrault, Charles Cinderella*
*Potter, Beatrix The Tale of Peter Rabbit*
Pyle, Howard The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood
Rey, H.A. Curious George series*
Richter, Conrad The Light in the Forest
Selden, George The Cricket in Times Square*
Seuss, Dr. The Cat in the Hat* (Seuss is the anti-christ,banned in my family!)
Sewell, Anna Black Beauty
Sorenson, Virginia Miracles on Maple Hill
Speare, Elizabeth George The Witch of Blackbird Pond
Sperry, Armstrong Call It Courage
Spyri, Johanna Heidi
Steinbeck, John The Red Pony
Stevenson, Robert Louis A Child’s Garden of Verses* Kidnapped Treasure Island
Travers, Pamela L. Mary Poppins series
Van Loon, Hendrik The Story of Mankind
White, E.B. Charlotte’s Web Stuart Little
Wilder, Laura Ingalls Little House series
Williams, Margery The Velveteen Rabbit*
Wyss, Johann Swiss Family Robinson
Zion, Gene Harry the Dirty Dog*
Grades 7 and 8
Alcott, Louisa May Little Men
Bagnold, Enid National Velvet
Blackmore, Richard D. Lorna Doone
Boulle, Pierre The Bridge over the River Kwai
*Bradbury, Ray Dandelion Wine Fahrenheit 451 The Illustrated Man Martian Chronicles
Buchan, John The Thirty-Nine Steps
Bunyan, John The Pilgrim’s Progress
Carroll, Lewis Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland Through the Looking Glass
Clark, Walter The Ox-Bow Incident
*Cooper, James Fenimore The Deerslayer The Last of the Mohicans
Curie, Eve Madame Curie: A Biography
Dana, Richard Henry Two Years before the Mast
Day, Clarence Life with Father
*Defoe, Daniel Robinson Crusoe
*Dickens, Charles A Christmas Carol
Douglas, Lloyd C. The Robe
Doyle, Arthur Conan Adventures of Sherlock Holmes
*Dumas, Alexander The Count of Monte Christo The Three Musketeers
Du Maurier, Daphne Rebecca
Edmonds, Walter D. Drums along the Mohawk
Ferber, Edna Cimarron
*Forbes, Esther Johnny Tremain
Forester, C.S. The African Queen The Hornblower series
Frank, Anne Diary of a Young Girl
*Frost, Robert Poems
Gallico, Paul The Snow Goose
Gunther, John Death Be Not Proud
Guthrie, A.B. The Big Sky
Haggard, H. Rider King Solomon’s Mines
Hansberry, Lorraine Raisin in the Sun
*Hemingway, Ernest The Old Man and the Sea
Hersey, John A Bell for Adano Hiroshima The Wall
*Heyerdahl, Thor Kon-Tiki
Hilton, James Goodbye, Mr. Chips Lost Horizon
Hudson, W.H. Green Mansions
Hughes, Richard A High Wind in Jamaica
Hugo, Victor The Hunchback of Notre Dame
*Irving, Washington The Legend of Sleepy Hollow
Keller, Helen Story of My Life
Kennedy, John F. Profiles in Courage
Kipling, Rudyard Kim
Knowles, John A Separate Peace
*Lee, Harper To Kill a Mockingbird
*London, Jack The Sea Wolf
Lord, Walter A Night to Remember
*Malory, Sir Thomas Le Morte d’Arthur
Maxwell, Gavin Ring of Bright Water
McCullers, Carson Member of the Wedding
Michener, James The Bridges at Toko-Ri
Mitchell, Margaret Gone with the Wind
Nordhoff, Charles and J.N. Hall Mutiny on the Bounty
O’Dell, Scott Island of the Blue Dolphins
Orczy, Baroness Emma The Scarlet Pimpernel
Paton, Alan Cry, the Beloved Country
Pyle, Howard Men of Iron
*Rawlings, Marjorie Kinnan The Yearling
Renault, Mary The King Must Die
Roberts, Kenneth Northwest Passage
Saint-Exupery, Antoine de The Little Prince Wind, Sand and Stars
Saki Stories
Schaefer, Jack Shane
*Scott, Sir Walter Ivanhoe
*Shelley, Mary Frankenstein
*Smith, Betty A Tree Grows in Brooklyn
Steinbeck, John The Pearl Tortilla Flat
Stevenson, Robert Louis The Black Arrow The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
*Stoker, Bram Dracula
Thurber, James The Thurber Carnival
Tolkien, J.R.R. The Hobbit The Lord of the Rings
*Twain, Mark The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn The Adventures of Tom Sawyer A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court Innocents Abroad Life on the Mississippi The Prince and the Pauper
*Verne, Jules Around the World in Eighty Days Journey to the Center of the Earth Mysterious Island 20,000 Leagues under the Sea
Wallace, Lewis Ben-Hur
Washington, Booker T. Up from Slavery
*Wells, H.G. The Time Machine War of the Worlds
Wharton, Edith Ethan Frome
Wilder, Thornton The Bridge of San Luis Rey
Wister, Owen The Virginian
Yates, Elizabeth Amos Fortune, Free Man
### Grades 9 through 12 ###
Agee, James A Death in the Family
Anderson, Sherwood Winesburg, Ohio
Austen, Jane Emma Northanger Abbey Pride and Prejudice Sense and Sensibility
Baldwin, James Go Tell It on the Mountain
Balzac, Honore de Pere Goriot
Beckett, Samuel Waiting for Godot
*The Bible Old Testament New Testament
Bolt, Robert A Man for All Seasons
Bronte, Charlotte Jane Eyre
Bronte, Emily Wuthering Heights
*Browning, Robert Poems
*Buck, Pearl The Good Earth
Butler, Samuel The Way of All Flesh
Camus, Albert The Plague The Stranger
Cather, Willa Death Comes for the Archbishop My Antonia
Cervantes, Miguel Don Quixote
*Chaucer, Geoffrey The Canterbury Tales
Chekhov, Anton The Cherry Orchard
Chopin, Kate The Awakening
Collins, Wilkie The Moonstone
Conrad, Joseph Heart of Darkness Lord Jim The Secret Sharer Victory
*Crane, Stephen The Red Badge of Courage
Dante The Divine Comedy
Defoe, Daniel Moll Flanders
*Dickens, Charles Bleak House David Copperfield Great Expectations Hard Times Oliver Twist A Tale of Two Cities
*Dickinson, Emily Poems
Dinesen, Isak Out of Africa
Dostoevski, Fyodor Brothers Karamazov Crime and Punishment
Dreiser, Theodore An American Tragedy Sister Carrie
*Eliot, George Adam Bede Middlemarch Mill on the Floss Silas Marner
Eliot, T.S. Murder in the Cathedral
*Ellison, Ralph Invisible Man
*Emerson, Ralph Waldo Essays
Faulkner, William Absalom, Absalom! As I Lay Dying Intruder in the Dust Light in August The Sound and the Fury
Fielding, Henry Joseph Andrews Tom Jones
*Fitzgerald, F. Scott The Great Gatsby Tender Is the Night
Flaubert, Gustave Madame Bovary
Forster, E.M. A Passage to India A Room with a View
Franklin, Benjamin The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin
Galsworthy, John The Forsyte Saga
Golding, William Lord of the Flies
Goldsmith, Oliver She Stoops to Conquer
Graves, Robert I, Claudius
Greene, Graham The Heart of the Matter The Power and the Glory
Hamilton, Edith Mythology
Hardy, Thomas Far From the Madding Crowd Jude the Obscure The Mayor of Casterbridge The Return of the Native Tess of the D’Urbervilles
*Hawthorne, Nathaniel The House of the Seven Gables The Scarlet Letter
*Hemingway, Ernest A Farewell to Arms For Whom the Bell Tolls The Sun Also Rises
*Henry, O. Stories
Hersey, John A Single Pebble
Hesse, Hermann Demian Siddhartha Steppenwolf
*Homer The Iliad The Odyssey
Hughes, Langston Poems
Hugo, Victor Les Miserables
*Huxley, Aldous Brave New World
Ibsen, Henrik A Doll’s House An Enemy of the People Ghosts Hedda Gabler The Master Builder The Wild Duck
*James, Henry The American Daisy Miller Portrait of a Lady The Turn of the Screw
Joyce, James Portrait of the Artist As a Young Man Dubliners
Kafka, Franz The Castle Metamorphosis The Trial
Keats, John Poems
Kerouac, Jack On the Road
Koestler, Arthur Darkness at Noon
Lawrence, D.H. Sons and Lovers
Lawrence, Jerome and Robert E. Lee Inherit the Wind
Lewis, Sinclair Arrowsmith Babbitt Main Street
Llewellyn, Richard How Green Was My Valley
*Machiavelli The Prince
MacLeish, Archibald J.B.
Mann, Thomas Buddenbrooks The Magic Mountain
Marlowe, Christopher Dr. Faustus
*Maugham, Somerset Of Human Bondage
*McCullers, Carson The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter
*Melville, Herman Billy Budd Moby-Dick Typee
*Miller, Arthur The Crucible Death of a Salesman
Monsarrat, Nicholas The Cruel Sea
O’Neill, Eugene The Emperor Jones A Long Day’s Journey into Night Mourning Becomes Electra
*Orwell, George Animal Farm 1984
Pasternak, Boris Doctor Zhivago
*Poe, Edgar Allan Short stories
Remarque, Erich All Quiet on the Western Front
Rolvaag, O.E. Giants in the Earth
Rostand, Edmond Cyrano de Bergerac
Salinger, J.D. The Catcher in the Rye
Sandburg, Carl Abraham Lincoln: The Prairie Years Abraham Lincoln: The War Years
Saroyan, William The Human Comedy
Sayers, Dorothy The Nine Tailors
Shakespeare, William Plays and sonnets
*Shaw, George Bernard Arms and the Man Major Barbara Pygmalion Saint Joan
Sheridan, Richard B. The School for Scandal
*Shute, Nevil On the Beach
Sinclair, Upton The Jungle
*Sophocles Antigone Oedipus Rex
*Steinbeck, John East of Eden The Grapes of Wrath Of Mice and Men
Stowe, Harriet Beecher Uncle Tom’s Cabin
Swift, Jonathan Gulliver’s Travels
Thackeray, William M. Vanity Fair
*Thoreau, Henry David Walden
Tolstoy, Leo Anna Karenina War and Peace
Trollope, Anthony Barchester Towers
Turgenev, Ivan Fathers and Sons
Twain, Mark Pudd’nhead Wilson
Updike, John Rabbit Run
Vergil The Aeneid
*Voltaire Candide
Warren, Robert Penn All the King’s Men
Waugh, Evelyn Brideshead Revisited A Handful of Dust
Wharton, Edith Age of Innocence
*White, T.H. The Once and Future King The Sword in the Stone
Wilde, Oscar The Importance of Being Earnest The Picture of Dorian Gray
*Wilder, Thornton Our Town
*Williams, Tennessee The Glass Menagerie A Streetcar Named Desire
*Wolfe, Thomas Look Homeward, Angel (Another favorite, introduced to me by my wife)
Woolf, Virginia Mrs. Dalloway To the Lighthouse
Wouk, Herman The Caine Mutiny
Wright, Richard Black Boy Native Son
I'll put an asterisk next to the ones I have ever read. Uh huh.
Timeless Classics
An old Chinese proverb says, 'A book is like a garden in the pocket.' Many of us who have valued reading in our early years derive enjoyment from reading to our children, and now, as I do, to our grandchildren. Books are voyages of discovery and transforming instruments to all of us.
A few years ago, the National Endowment for the Humanities asked schools around the country to send reading lists of their favorite books. Noticing how often books that other generations have enjoyed appear on these lists, we decided to make this compilation of tried-and- true titles. The works herein, published in 1960 or earlier, have delighted generations of readers.
Some have asked, 'Is the book dead?' as we move into new computer technologies. Not at all. Print text will co-exist with these new mediums.
As concerned parents, educators, and counselors, we must continue to emphasize the importance of access to good reading in order to shape our students’ learning process, enhance their understanding of American heritage, and open up a new world of self-fulfillment. As Aldous Huxley said, 'The proper study of mankind is books.'
There are some excellent older books that are missing from the list, because they appeared too infrequently in the school selections: Kate Douglas Wiggin’s Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm, for example; Dylan Thomas’s A Child’s Christmas in Wales; Frederick Douglass’s Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass. Despite the absences, we hope this compilation will nevertheless bring hours of pleasure and enlightenment.
The titles presented for suggested extracurricular reading provide a solid foundation and hours of enjoyment for students and scholars of all ages.
We at NEH hope that the 'Timeless Classics' booklist will continue to be a rich source of material for everyone.
Sheldon Hackney Chairman
'Books are humanity in print' ...Barbara Tuchman
'Literature is an investment of genius which pays dividends to all subsequent times.' ...John Burroughs
'All that mankind has done, thought, gained, or been: it is lying as in magic preservation in the pages of books.' ...Thomas Carlyle
### Kindergarten through Grade 6 ###
Adamson, Joy Born Free
Aesop Fables*
Alcott, Louisa May Little Women
*Andersen, Hans Christian Fairy tales
Atwater, Richard and Florence Mr. Popper’s Penguins*
Bailey, Carolyn Sherwin Miss Hickory
Recommended for K-3, either for reading by children or for reading to them.
*Barrie, J.M. Peter Pan
Baum, L. Frank The Wonderful Wizard of Oz
*Bemelmans, Ludwig Madeline series* A favorite of mine!
Bond, Michael A Bear Called Paddington
Boston, L.M. The Children of Green Knowe
Brink, Carol Ryrie Caddie Woodlawn
Brown, Margaret Wise Goodnight, Moon*
Brunhoff, Jean de The Story of Babar*
Burnett, Frances Hodgson The Secret Garden
*Burton, Virginia Lee Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel*
Butterworth, Oliver The Enormous Egg
Clark, Ann Nolan Secret of the Andes
Cleary, Beverly Henry Huggins series
Coatsworth, Elizabeth The Cat Who Went to Heaven
Dalgliesh, Alice The Bears on Hemlock Mountain* The Courage of Sarah Noble*
De Angeli, Marguerite The Door in the Wall
De Jong, Meindert The House of Sixty Fathers The Wheel on the School
*Dodge, Mary Mapes Hans Brinker, or the Silver Skates
Du Bois, William Pene The Twenty-One Balloons
Edmonds, Walter D. The Matchlock Gun
Estes, Eleanor Ginger Pye Moffats series
Farley, Walter The Black Stallion
Field, Rachel Hitty, Her First Hundred Years
Fritz, Jean The Cabin Faced West
Gilbreth, Frank B. and Ernestine G. Carey Cheaper By the Dozen
Gipson, Fred Old Yeller
Godden, Rumer The Mousewife*
Grahame, Kenneth The Reluctant Dragon* The Wind in the Willows f
Gray, Elizabeth Janet Adam of the Road
*Grimm, Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm’s Fairy Tales
Hawes, Charles The Dark Frigate
Haywood, Carolyn Betsy series*
Henry, Marguerite King of the Wind Misty of Chincoteague
Keith, Harold Rifles for Watie
Kelly, Eric The Trumpeter of Krakow
Kipling, Rudyard Captains Courageous Just So Stories for Little Children* The Jungle Books
Kjelgaard, Jim Big Red
Knight, Eric Lassie Come Home
Krumgold, Joseph ...and Now Miguel Onion John
LaFarge, Oliver Laughing Boy
Lamb, Charles and Mary Tales from Shakespear
Latham, Jean Lee Carry on, Mr. Bowditch
Lawson, Robert Ben & Me Rabbit Hill
Leaf, Munro The Story of Ferdinand*
Lear, Edward Book of Nonsense*
Lenski, Lois Strawberry Girl
Lewis, C.S. Chronicles of Narnia series
Lindgren, Astrid Pippi Longstocking series
Lofting, Hugh Doctor Doolittle series
*London, Jack The Call of the Wild White Fang
*MacDonald, Betty Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle*
MacGregor, Ellen Miss Pickerell series
McCloskey, Robert Blueberries for Sal* Homer Price Make Way for Ducklings*
McSwigan, Marie Snow Treasure
Meigs, Cornelia Invincible Louisa
Milne, A.A. The House at Pooh Corner* Now We Are Six* When We Were Very Young* Winnie-the-Pooh*
Minarik, Else Holmelund Little Bear
Montgomery, L.M. Anne of Green Gables
Mukerji, Dhan Ghopal Gay-Neck, the Story of a Pigeon
Norton, Mary The Borrowers series
O’Hara, Mary My Friend Flicka
Pearce, Philippa Tom’s Midnight Garden
Perrault, Charles Cinderella*
*Potter, Beatrix The Tale of Peter Rabbit*
Pyle, Howard The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood
Rey, H.A. Curious George series*
Richter, Conrad The Light in the Forest
Selden, George The Cricket in Times Square*
Seuss, Dr. The Cat in the Hat* (Seuss is the anti-christ,banned in my family!)
Sewell, Anna Black Beauty
Sorenson, Virginia Miracles on Maple Hill
Speare, Elizabeth George The Witch of Blackbird Pond
Sperry, Armstrong Call It Courage
Spyri, Johanna Heidi
Steinbeck, John The Red Pony
Stevenson, Robert Louis A Child’s Garden of Verses* Kidnapped Treasure Island
Travers, Pamela L. Mary Poppins series
Van Loon, Hendrik The Story of Mankind
White, E.B. Charlotte’s Web Stuart Little
Wilder, Laura Ingalls Little House series
Williams, Margery The Velveteen Rabbit*
Wyss, Johann Swiss Family Robinson
Zion, Gene Harry the Dirty Dog*
Grades 7 and 8
Alcott, Louisa May Little Men
Bagnold, Enid National Velvet
Blackmore, Richard D. Lorna Doone
Boulle, Pierre The Bridge over the River Kwai
*Bradbury, Ray Dandelion Wine Fahrenheit 451 The Illustrated Man Martian Chronicles
Buchan, John The Thirty-Nine Steps
Bunyan, John The Pilgrim’s Progress
Carroll, Lewis Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland Through the Looking Glass
Clark, Walter The Ox-Bow Incident
*Cooper, James Fenimore The Deerslayer The Last of the Mohicans
Curie, Eve Madame Curie: A Biography
Dana, Richard Henry Two Years before the Mast
Day, Clarence Life with Father
*Defoe, Daniel Robinson Crusoe
*Dickens, Charles A Christmas Carol
Douglas, Lloyd C. The Robe
Doyle, Arthur Conan Adventures of Sherlock Holmes
*Dumas, Alexander The Count of Monte Christo The Three Musketeers
Du Maurier, Daphne Rebecca
Edmonds, Walter D. Drums along the Mohawk
Ferber, Edna Cimarron
*Forbes, Esther Johnny Tremain
Forester, C.S. The African Queen The Hornblower series
Frank, Anne Diary of a Young Girl
*Frost, Robert Poems
Gallico, Paul The Snow Goose
Gunther, John Death Be Not Proud
Guthrie, A.B. The Big Sky
Haggard, H. Rider King Solomon’s Mines
Hansberry, Lorraine Raisin in the Sun
*Hemingway, Ernest The Old Man and the Sea
Hersey, John A Bell for Adano Hiroshima The Wall
*Heyerdahl, Thor Kon-Tiki
Hilton, James Goodbye, Mr. Chips Lost Horizon
Hudson, W.H. Green Mansions
Hughes, Richard A High Wind in Jamaica
Hugo, Victor The Hunchback of Notre Dame
*Irving, Washington The Legend of Sleepy Hollow
Keller, Helen Story of My Life
Kennedy, John F. Profiles in Courage
Kipling, Rudyard Kim
Knowles, John A Separate Peace
*Lee, Harper To Kill a Mockingbird
*London, Jack The Sea Wolf
Lord, Walter A Night to Remember
*Malory, Sir Thomas Le Morte d’Arthur
Maxwell, Gavin Ring of Bright Water
McCullers, Carson Member of the Wedding
Michener, James The Bridges at Toko-Ri
Mitchell, Margaret Gone with the Wind
Nordhoff, Charles and J.N. Hall Mutiny on the Bounty
O’Dell, Scott Island of the Blue Dolphins
Orczy, Baroness Emma The Scarlet Pimpernel
Paton, Alan Cry, the Beloved Country
Pyle, Howard Men of Iron
*Rawlings, Marjorie Kinnan The Yearling
Renault, Mary The King Must Die
Roberts, Kenneth Northwest Passage
Saint-Exupery, Antoine de The Little Prince Wind, Sand and Stars
Saki Stories
Schaefer, Jack Shane
*Scott, Sir Walter Ivanhoe
*Shelley, Mary Frankenstein
*Smith, Betty A Tree Grows in Brooklyn
Steinbeck, John The Pearl Tortilla Flat
Stevenson, Robert Louis The Black Arrow The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
*Stoker, Bram Dracula
Thurber, James The Thurber Carnival
Tolkien, J.R.R. The Hobbit The Lord of the Rings
*Twain, Mark The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn The Adventures of Tom Sawyer A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court Innocents Abroad Life on the Mississippi The Prince and the Pauper
*Verne, Jules Around the World in Eighty Days Journey to the Center of the Earth Mysterious Island 20,000 Leagues under the Sea
Wallace, Lewis Ben-Hur
Washington, Booker T. Up from Slavery
*Wells, H.G. The Time Machine War of the Worlds
Wharton, Edith Ethan Frome
Wilder, Thornton The Bridge of San Luis Rey
Wister, Owen The Virginian
Yates, Elizabeth Amos Fortune, Free Man
### Grades 9 through 12 ###
Agee, James A Death in the Family
Anderson, Sherwood Winesburg, Ohio
Austen, Jane Emma Northanger Abbey Pride and Prejudice Sense and Sensibility
Baldwin, James Go Tell It on the Mountain
Balzac, Honore de Pere Goriot
Beckett, Samuel Waiting for Godot
*The Bible Old Testament New Testament
Bolt, Robert A Man for All Seasons
Bronte, Charlotte Jane Eyre
Bronte, Emily Wuthering Heights
*Browning, Robert Poems
*Buck, Pearl The Good Earth
Butler, Samuel The Way of All Flesh
Camus, Albert The Plague The Stranger
Cather, Willa Death Comes for the Archbishop My Antonia
Cervantes, Miguel Don Quixote
*Chaucer, Geoffrey The Canterbury Tales
Chekhov, Anton The Cherry Orchard
Chopin, Kate The Awakening
Collins, Wilkie The Moonstone
Conrad, Joseph Heart of Darkness Lord Jim The Secret Sharer Victory
*Crane, Stephen The Red Badge of Courage
Dante The Divine Comedy
Defoe, Daniel Moll Flanders
*Dickens, Charles Bleak House David Copperfield Great Expectations Hard Times Oliver Twist A Tale of Two Cities
*Dickinson, Emily Poems
Dinesen, Isak Out of Africa
Dostoevski, Fyodor Brothers Karamazov Crime and Punishment
Dreiser, Theodore An American Tragedy Sister Carrie
*Eliot, George Adam Bede Middlemarch Mill on the Floss Silas Marner
Eliot, T.S. Murder in the Cathedral
*Ellison, Ralph Invisible Man
*Emerson, Ralph Waldo Essays
Faulkner, William Absalom, Absalom! As I Lay Dying Intruder in the Dust Light in August The Sound and the Fury
Fielding, Henry Joseph Andrews Tom Jones
*Fitzgerald, F. Scott The Great Gatsby Tender Is the Night
Flaubert, Gustave Madame Bovary
Forster, E.M. A Passage to India A Room with a View
Franklin, Benjamin The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin
Galsworthy, John The Forsyte Saga
Golding, William Lord of the Flies
Goldsmith, Oliver She Stoops to Conquer
Graves, Robert I, Claudius
Greene, Graham The Heart of the Matter The Power and the Glory
Hamilton, Edith Mythology
Hardy, Thomas Far From the Madding Crowd Jude the Obscure The Mayor of Casterbridge The Return of the Native Tess of the D’Urbervilles
*Hawthorne, Nathaniel The House of the Seven Gables The Scarlet Letter
*Hemingway, Ernest A Farewell to Arms For Whom the Bell Tolls The Sun Also Rises
*Henry, O. Stories
Hersey, John A Single Pebble
Hesse, Hermann Demian Siddhartha Steppenwolf
*Homer The Iliad The Odyssey
Hughes, Langston Poems
Hugo, Victor Les Miserables
*Huxley, Aldous Brave New World
Ibsen, Henrik A Doll’s House An Enemy of the People Ghosts Hedda Gabler The Master Builder The Wild Duck
*James, Henry The American Daisy Miller Portrait of a Lady The Turn of the Screw
Joyce, James Portrait of the Artist As a Young Man Dubliners
Kafka, Franz The Castle Metamorphosis The Trial
Keats, John Poems
Kerouac, Jack On the Road
Koestler, Arthur Darkness at Noon
Lawrence, D.H. Sons and Lovers
Lawrence, Jerome and Robert E. Lee Inherit the Wind
Lewis, Sinclair Arrowsmith Babbitt Main Street
Llewellyn, Richard How Green Was My Valley
*Machiavelli The Prince
MacLeish, Archibald J.B.
Mann, Thomas Buddenbrooks The Magic Mountain
Marlowe, Christopher Dr. Faustus
*Maugham, Somerset Of Human Bondage
*McCullers, Carson The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter
*Melville, Herman Billy Budd Moby-Dick Typee
*Miller, Arthur The Crucible Death of a Salesman
Monsarrat, Nicholas The Cruel Sea
O’Neill, Eugene The Emperor Jones A Long Day’s Journey into Night Mourning Becomes Electra
*Orwell, George Animal Farm 1984
Pasternak, Boris Doctor Zhivago
*Poe, Edgar Allan Short stories
Remarque, Erich All Quiet on the Western Front
Rolvaag, O.E. Giants in the Earth
Rostand, Edmond Cyrano de Bergerac
Salinger, J.D. The Catcher in the Rye
Sandburg, Carl Abraham Lincoln: The Prairie Years Abraham Lincoln: The War Years
Saroyan, William The Human Comedy
Sayers, Dorothy The Nine Tailors
Shakespeare, William Plays and sonnets
*Shaw, George Bernard Arms and the Man Major Barbara Pygmalion Saint Joan
Sheridan, Richard B. The School for Scandal
*Shute, Nevil On the Beach
Sinclair, Upton The Jungle
*Sophocles Antigone Oedipus Rex
*Steinbeck, John East of Eden The Grapes of Wrath Of Mice and Men
Stowe, Harriet Beecher Uncle Tom’s Cabin
Swift, Jonathan Gulliver’s Travels
Thackeray, William M. Vanity Fair
*Thoreau, Henry David Walden
Tolstoy, Leo Anna Karenina War and Peace
Trollope, Anthony Barchester Towers
Turgenev, Ivan Fathers and Sons
Twain, Mark Pudd’nhead Wilson
Updike, John Rabbit Run
Vergil The Aeneid
*Voltaire Candide
Warren, Robert Penn All the King’s Men
Waugh, Evelyn Brideshead Revisited A Handful of Dust
Wharton, Edith Age of Innocence
*White, T.H. The Once and Future King The Sword in the Stone
Wilde, Oscar The Importance of Being Earnest The Picture of Dorian Gray
*Wilder, Thornton Our Town
*Williams, Tennessee The Glass Menagerie A Streetcar Named Desire
*Wolfe, Thomas Look Homeward, Angel (Another favorite, introduced to me by my wife)
Woolf, Virginia Mrs. Dalloway To the Lighthouse
Wouk, Herman The Caine Mutiny
Wright, Richard Black Boy Native Son
Friday, June 20, 2008
A Meteorological Fiction
Until 2001, I spent my career as a research meteorologist, delving into areas as diverse as cloud physics and weather modification, numerical weather prediction, and artificial intelligence. Over a span of more than thirty years, I'd written numerous technical articles. But nearly seven years ago, I retired from my job with the Naval Research Laboratory.
Why did I retire? At the time, I was doing some of the most fascinating research I'd ever done. However, I knew that unless I quit then, I'd miss a dream I'd been harboring for decades: that of writing fiction. (At my retirement luncheon, several colleagues jokingly suggested I needn't have retired to claim that distinction.)
For years prior, in association with author/mentor Arline Chase, I'd written short stories to learn storytelling skills. It's one thing to write a story, but quite another to write one that is enthralling and keeps the reader riveted. Regrettably, most of what we write in technical journals - although less so for the Bulletin - is hardly stay-up-all-night-turning-the-page material. Another way to put it is that fiction has to be fun, at least for the genre of fiction that I chose for my first novel.
After retiring, I spent another year writing short stories exclusively. But in 2002, I tackled a novel. Those of you who read fiction know there are various genres. During my short story period, I tried many of them: humor, fantasy, young adult, romance, mystery, and thriller. I concluded that I had the most success and fun writing thrillers. What is a thriller? Here's a good definition: A novel of suspense with a plot structure that reinforces the elements of gamesmanship and the chase, with a sense of the hunt being paramount. The common thread is a growing sense of threat and the excitement of pursuit. Those of you who enjoy books by Tom Clancy know that he writes thrillers.
So, with genre in hand, I had to choose my topic. In fiction, a common saw is to write what you know. What did I know? Meteorology. And so, for months, with coconspirator Robin Brody (a meteorologist who continues to be my primary reader), we debated ideas worthy of a thriller, together with a plausible premise. After months of discussion, we had the makings of a story.
As the author, I had one nonnegotiable requirement: Enough of James Bond-like spies - I wanted the protagonist to be a meteorologist. If the world had to be saved (and it often does in a thriller), I wanted our discipline to be up there - in lights. Why choose a meteorologist? The choice is obvious. The qualities that manifest our ranks are many: intelligence, attention to detail, the ability to integrate and make sense of disparate sets of data, training in both theoretical and numerical processes, and a thorough appreciation of science in general. One other important quality is our ability to accept frequent failure, and criticism; who among us who has made a forecast wouldn't agree? What more could you want from a protagonist who must decipher complex clues and save the world in the process?
Of course, I gave my protagonist, Dr. Victor Mark Silverstein, a few added gifts: I gave him a photographic memory (I've always wanted one of those) and a genius IQ (something I could have used). The most fascinating characters are not perfect, however. They become interesting and more human because of their faults. Silverstein is arrogant because he knows he's smart, and he often uses his talents to manipulate people. As you might suspect, this combination can get him into trouble. There to save him is his associate, Dr. Linda Kipling, also a meteorologist, who possesses complementary skills - and is fearless.
Fiction is either "plot driven" or "character driven." The best books are both. I tried for a balance. You can imagine that meteorology shows up in the plot, whereas human interactions (often involving moral/ethical dilemmas) provide the character-driven aspect.
Two-and-a-half years later, I completed Category 5 (iUniverse, 2005). Obviously, the plot concerns hurricanes. I won't give away the premise; suffice it to say, the bad guys are doing bad things with hurricanes, and it's up to the good guys to stop them.
As an aside, I've concluded that it is impossible to publish a book with no errors. Readers have spotted a few. I'm proud to say, however, that not one of them (yet) has been meteorological. I can't take the credit. Robin Brody and several other meteorologist reviewers saved me from embarrassment. (Note, however, my fortuitous forecast for 2007's Hurricane Noel, for which my book's east coast track is close to the observed, including "…threading the needle between Cuba and Haiti…")
To make my story more realistic, I visited all chapter locations except for two remote sites (Christmas Island and the Suez Canal) and the CIA. For example, at the end of Category 5, considerable commotion breaks lose in Bermuda. My wife Becky and I spent a week there scouting appropriate sites (someone had to do it) and taking their GPS coordinates (they're listed at the beginning of chapters). If you use Google Earth (or go to my Web site, where I've summarized the images), you'll see where I imagined the action occurred. Enter the coordinates for chapter 6 (32°22′02″N, 64°40′39″W), and you'll find yourself at the Bermuda Weather Service (where the staff was most helpful). Do the same for chapter 3 (41°01′03″N, 28°58′17"E), and you'll be looking at the approximate location for the Pandeli Restaurant, located in the Spice Market in Istanbul, Turkey. My wife and I had a nice lunch there. In other instances, I "construct" a building in a location I've scouted. The chapter 8 coordinates (32°18′20″N, 64°47′20″W) in Bermuda identify the concrete fortress where the final showdown occurs.
Following Category 5, I wrote a sequel called Prophecy (iUniverse, 2007), published in July. Although this time the problem facing the world is not meteorological, I chose to keep my meteorologist protagonists. The skills that make us what we are transfer easily to other areas of science - in this case genetics, DNA, and the genome.
However, I must say I feel guilty about deviating from meteorology, and have decided to make amends with the third book in the series. Because it seems to be the meteorological topic of this decade, I've decided to tackle global climate change. Robin and I have developed a premise worthy (we think) of a complex thriller. And, if a fictional character is going to be doing the heavy lifting in resolving a climate crisis, I'm going to make darn sure that he or she is a meteorologist. We deserve the recognition!
(This article by Paul Mark Tag was published in the December 2007 issue of the Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society and is reprinted with permission).
About The Author
Until he retired in 2001 to write fiction full-time, Paul Mark Tag’s work revolved around meteorology and his career with the Naval Research Laboratory. Prophecy is his second novel, following his thriller, Category 5. Tag lives in Monterey, California, with his wife, Becky. Visit http://www.paulmarktag.com.
Why did I retire? At the time, I was doing some of the most fascinating research I'd ever done. However, I knew that unless I quit then, I'd miss a dream I'd been harboring for decades: that of writing fiction. (At my retirement luncheon, several colleagues jokingly suggested I needn't have retired to claim that distinction.)
For years prior, in association with author/mentor Arline Chase, I'd written short stories to learn storytelling skills. It's one thing to write a story, but quite another to write one that is enthralling and keeps the reader riveted. Regrettably, most of what we write in technical journals - although less so for the Bulletin - is hardly stay-up-all-night-turning-the-page material. Another way to put it is that fiction has to be fun, at least for the genre of fiction that I chose for my first novel.
After retiring, I spent another year writing short stories exclusively. But in 2002, I tackled a novel. Those of you who read fiction know there are various genres. During my short story period, I tried many of them: humor, fantasy, young adult, romance, mystery, and thriller. I concluded that I had the most success and fun writing thrillers. What is a thriller? Here's a good definition: A novel of suspense with a plot structure that reinforces the elements of gamesmanship and the chase, with a sense of the hunt being paramount. The common thread is a growing sense of threat and the excitement of pursuit. Those of you who enjoy books by Tom Clancy know that he writes thrillers.
So, with genre in hand, I had to choose my topic. In fiction, a common saw is to write what you know. What did I know? Meteorology. And so, for months, with coconspirator Robin Brody (a meteorologist who continues to be my primary reader), we debated ideas worthy of a thriller, together with a plausible premise. After months of discussion, we had the makings of a story.
As the author, I had one nonnegotiable requirement: Enough of James Bond-like spies - I wanted the protagonist to be a meteorologist. If the world had to be saved (and it often does in a thriller), I wanted our discipline to be up there - in lights. Why choose a meteorologist? The choice is obvious. The qualities that manifest our ranks are many: intelligence, attention to detail, the ability to integrate and make sense of disparate sets of data, training in both theoretical and numerical processes, and a thorough appreciation of science in general. One other important quality is our ability to accept frequent failure, and criticism; who among us who has made a forecast wouldn't agree? What more could you want from a protagonist who must decipher complex clues and save the world in the process?
Of course, I gave my protagonist, Dr. Victor Mark Silverstein, a few added gifts: I gave him a photographic memory (I've always wanted one of those) and a genius IQ (something I could have used). The most fascinating characters are not perfect, however. They become interesting and more human because of their faults. Silverstein is arrogant because he knows he's smart, and he often uses his talents to manipulate people. As you might suspect, this combination can get him into trouble. There to save him is his associate, Dr. Linda Kipling, also a meteorologist, who possesses complementary skills - and is fearless.
Fiction is either "plot driven" or "character driven." The best books are both. I tried for a balance. You can imagine that meteorology shows up in the plot, whereas human interactions (often involving moral/ethical dilemmas) provide the character-driven aspect.
Two-and-a-half years later, I completed Category 5 (iUniverse, 2005). Obviously, the plot concerns hurricanes. I won't give away the premise; suffice it to say, the bad guys are doing bad things with hurricanes, and it's up to the good guys to stop them.
As an aside, I've concluded that it is impossible to publish a book with no errors. Readers have spotted a few. I'm proud to say, however, that not one of them (yet) has been meteorological. I can't take the credit. Robin Brody and several other meteorologist reviewers saved me from embarrassment. (Note, however, my fortuitous forecast for 2007's Hurricane Noel, for which my book's east coast track is close to the observed, including "…threading the needle between Cuba and Haiti…")
To make my story more realistic, I visited all chapter locations except for two remote sites (Christmas Island and the Suez Canal) and the CIA. For example, at the end of Category 5, considerable commotion breaks lose in Bermuda. My wife Becky and I spent a week there scouting appropriate sites (someone had to do it) and taking their GPS coordinates (they're listed at the beginning of chapters). If you use Google Earth (or go to my Web site, where I've summarized the images), you'll see where I imagined the action occurred. Enter the coordinates for chapter 6 (32°22′02″N, 64°40′39″W), and you'll find yourself at the Bermuda Weather Service (where the staff was most helpful). Do the same for chapter 3 (41°01′03″N, 28°58′17"E), and you'll be looking at the approximate location for the Pandeli Restaurant, located in the Spice Market in Istanbul, Turkey. My wife and I had a nice lunch there. In other instances, I "construct" a building in a location I've scouted. The chapter 8 coordinates (32°18′20″N, 64°47′20″W) in Bermuda identify the concrete fortress where the final showdown occurs.
Following Category 5, I wrote a sequel called Prophecy (iUniverse, 2007), published in July. Although this time the problem facing the world is not meteorological, I chose to keep my meteorologist protagonists. The skills that make us what we are transfer easily to other areas of science - in this case genetics, DNA, and the genome.
However, I must say I feel guilty about deviating from meteorology, and have decided to make amends with the third book in the series. Because it seems to be the meteorological topic of this decade, I've decided to tackle global climate change. Robin and I have developed a premise worthy (we think) of a complex thriller. And, if a fictional character is going to be doing the heavy lifting in resolving a climate crisis, I'm going to make darn sure that he or she is a meteorologist. We deserve the recognition!
(This article by Paul Mark Tag was published in the December 2007 issue of the Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society and is reprinted with permission).
About The Author
Until he retired in 2001 to write fiction full-time, Paul Mark Tag’s work revolved around meteorology and his career with the Naval Research Laboratory. Prophecy is his second novel, following his thriller, Category 5. Tag lives in Monterey, California, with his wife, Becky. Visit http://www.paulmarktag.com.
Saturday, June 7, 2008
Nine Excellent Reasons for Technology in Education
Two events prodded me to write this. The first was my involvement in formulating a technology plan for a technologically advanced local school. During this process I became increasingly concerned that while the school intuitively knew it should improve in this area, it did not really know why.
The second event was an email I got from a teacher concerning my web site Math Open Reference. In it she said, to paraphrase: 'Thank you so much! Now I have something to do with those laptops they gave me!.' You can visualize the scene: a school decided to move technology into the classroom so it gave the teacher the computers. This is putting the solution before the problem. Again I wondered if this school really knew why they wanted the technology. In what way precisely would the education be better?
So here they are. Nine fundamental reasons why I think technology is important in education. Hopefully, they can act as the rationale for technology plans in schools. If you disagree, or find things missing, my contact information is at the end.
Reason 1. Expansion of time and place
In a typical high school a student has access to a teacher for one hour each day. That means she has access to the teacher approximately for 6% of a 16-hour waking day, and even that time is shared with 25 classmates. But she has access to the Internet 100% of the time. That's a lot better — some twenty times better. Yes, technology is no substitute for an inspiring teacher. However, on-line materials are FAR more available. As shown above, some twenty times more available.
Using the traditional textbook + classroom approach, the places where learning can occur are limited. A portable wireless computer has access to the teacher's course material and the entire Internet almost anywhere. And this is a vastly larger resource than can be practically carried on paper in a backpack.
Bottom line: information technology allows learning anywhere, anytime; not just in one particular classroom for one hour a day.
Reason 2. Depth of Understanding
Interactive simulations and illustrations can produce a much greater depth of understanding of a particular concept. When virtual manipulatives are used in a classroom setting they can go far beyond chalk and talk. Using a projector, the teacher can conduct onscreen investigations and demonstrate concepts far more easily than with just words and arm-waving. For example see Subtended Angle. Combine this class demonstration with access to the same tools over the web, and the student can reinforce the ideas by playing with the simulations themselves, any time, any where.
Reason 3. Learning vs. Teaching
Technology allows the tables to be turned. Instead of teaching (push), students can be given projects that require them to learn (pull) the necessary material themselves. Key to this is the ability to get the information they need any time anywhere, without being in the physical presence of a teacher. This project-based pull approach makes learning far more interesting for the student. I have seen firsthand how students cannot wait to get out of regular classes to go to the after-school robotics project.
Reason 4. New media for self-expression
In the old days, students could write in a notebook, and what they wrote was seen only by the teacher. Using modern technology, they can: make a PowerPoint presentation, record/edit spoken word, do digital photography, make a video, run a class newspaper, run a web based school radio or TV station, do claymation, compose digital music on a synthesizer, make a website, and/or create a blog.
Reason 5. Collaboration
A vital skill in the new digital world is the ability to work collaboratively on projects with others who may not be physically close. This can best be done using modern computer tools such as the Web, Email, instant messaging and cell phone. Rather than laboring alone on homework, students can work in small groups wherever they happen to be and at any time. They are doing this already – it can now be formalized and taught as a vital skill. Many university projects are undertaken by teams spread around the world. Your students need to be prepared for this.
Reason 6. Going Global
The worldview of the student can be expanded because of the zero cost of communicating with other people around the globe. The internet permits free video conferencing which permits interaction in real time with sister schools in other countries. From an educational viewpoint, what could be more important than understanding other cultures through direct dialog and collaboration?
Reason 7. Individual pacing and sequence
Students are, of course, all different. Information technologies can permit them to break step with the class and go at a pace and order that suits each student better. Without disrupting the class, they can repeat difficult lessons and explore what they find interesting. With time, it will become more like having a private tutor rather than being lost in a large class.
Reason 8. Weight
Three textbooks and three binders easily weigh over 25 pounds. A laptop computer weighs about 5 pounds and provides access to infinitely more material via its own storage and the Internet. A 40Gb hard drive can hold 2 million pages with illustrations; the Web is unfathomably large. Right now, students are getting back injuries lugging around a tiny subset of what they need in the form of black marks printed on slices of a substance not all that different from the papyrus used by the ancient Egyptians. And it's just static boring text.
Reason 9. Personal Productivity
Students need productivity tools for the same reasons you do. They need to write, read, communicate, organize and schedule. A student's life is not much different from that of any knowledge worker, and they need similar tools. Even if they are never used in the classroom, portable personal computers will make a student's (and teacher's) life more effective. To cash in this benefit, schools need to go paperless.
In summary, if education is about knowledge and intellectual skills, then information technology lies at the heart of it all. We have only just begun this transition. School will eventually look very different. Get ready.
Email: John Page
By John Page
July 1, 2007
URL: http://www.techlearning.com/showArticle.php?articleID=196604531
The second event was an email I got from a teacher concerning my web site Math Open Reference. In it she said, to paraphrase: 'Thank you so much! Now I have something to do with those laptops they gave me!.' You can visualize the scene: a school decided to move technology into the classroom so it gave the teacher the computers. This is putting the solution before the problem. Again I wondered if this school really knew why they wanted the technology. In what way precisely would the education be better?
So here they are. Nine fundamental reasons why I think technology is important in education. Hopefully, they can act as the rationale for technology plans in schools. If you disagree, or find things missing, my contact information is at the end.
Reason 1. Expansion of time and place
In a typical high school a student has access to a teacher for one hour each day. That means she has access to the teacher approximately for 6% of a 16-hour waking day, and even that time is shared with 25 classmates. But she has access to the Internet 100% of the time. That's a lot better — some twenty times better. Yes, technology is no substitute for an inspiring teacher. However, on-line materials are FAR more available. As shown above, some twenty times more available.
Using the traditional textbook + classroom approach, the places where learning can occur are limited. A portable wireless computer has access to the teacher's course material and the entire Internet almost anywhere. And this is a vastly larger resource than can be practically carried on paper in a backpack.
Bottom line: information technology allows learning anywhere, anytime; not just in one particular classroom for one hour a day.
Reason 2. Depth of Understanding
Interactive simulations and illustrations can produce a much greater depth of understanding of a particular concept. When virtual manipulatives are used in a classroom setting they can go far beyond chalk and talk. Using a projector, the teacher can conduct onscreen investigations and demonstrate concepts far more easily than with just words and arm-waving. For example see Subtended Angle. Combine this class demonstration with access to the same tools over the web, and the student can reinforce the ideas by playing with the simulations themselves, any time, any where.
Reason 3. Learning vs. Teaching
Technology allows the tables to be turned. Instead of teaching (push), students can be given projects that require them to learn (pull) the necessary material themselves. Key to this is the ability to get the information they need any time anywhere, without being in the physical presence of a teacher. This project-based pull approach makes learning far more interesting for the student. I have seen firsthand how students cannot wait to get out of regular classes to go to the after-school robotics project.
Reason 4. New media for self-expression
In the old days, students could write in a notebook, and what they wrote was seen only by the teacher. Using modern technology, they can: make a PowerPoint presentation, record/edit spoken word, do digital photography, make a video, run a class newspaper, run a web based school radio or TV station, do claymation, compose digital music on a synthesizer, make a website, and/or create a blog.
Reason 5. Collaboration
A vital skill in the new digital world is the ability to work collaboratively on projects with others who may not be physically close. This can best be done using modern computer tools such as the Web, Email, instant messaging and cell phone. Rather than laboring alone on homework, students can work in small groups wherever they happen to be and at any time. They are doing this already – it can now be formalized and taught as a vital skill. Many university projects are undertaken by teams spread around the world. Your students need to be prepared for this.
Reason 6. Going Global
The worldview of the student can be expanded because of the zero cost of communicating with other people around the globe. The internet permits free video conferencing which permits interaction in real time with sister schools in other countries. From an educational viewpoint, what could be more important than understanding other cultures through direct dialog and collaboration?
Reason 7. Individual pacing and sequence
Students are, of course, all different. Information technologies can permit them to break step with the class and go at a pace and order that suits each student better. Without disrupting the class, they can repeat difficult lessons and explore what they find interesting. With time, it will become more like having a private tutor rather than being lost in a large class.
Reason 8. Weight
Three textbooks and three binders easily weigh over 25 pounds. A laptop computer weighs about 5 pounds and provides access to infinitely more material via its own storage and the Internet. A 40Gb hard drive can hold 2 million pages with illustrations; the Web is unfathomably large. Right now, students are getting back injuries lugging around a tiny subset of what they need in the form of black marks printed on slices of a substance not all that different from the papyrus used by the ancient Egyptians. And it's just static boring text.
Reason 9. Personal Productivity
Students need productivity tools for the same reasons you do. They need to write, read, communicate, organize and schedule. A student's life is not much different from that of any knowledge worker, and they need similar tools. Even if they are never used in the classroom, portable personal computers will make a student's (and teacher's) life more effective. To cash in this benefit, schools need to go paperless.
In summary, if education is about knowledge and intellectual skills, then information technology lies at the heart of it all. We have only just begun this transition. School will eventually look very different. Get ready.
Email: John Page
By John Page
July 1, 2007
URL: http://www.techlearning.com/showArticle.php?articleID=196604531
Saturday, May 24, 2008
Solitude
Alone without being lonely, quiet yet
welcoming a brief sound in the silence.
Music surrounds the solitude,
an internal and external phenomenom.
Emotions ebb and flow like a mystical tide
desire for companionship sometimes dispells
the need for solitude, a guest to unite lonely beings into a whole
that is beyond singularity and greater than the sum.
The sounds, the feelings, the wonder of just thinking,
thought without direction momentary aberations of time and space
amazement at imaginary journies or perhaps insanity.
welcoming a brief sound in the silence.
Music surrounds the solitude,
an internal and external phenomenom.
Emotions ebb and flow like a mystical tide
desire for companionship sometimes dispells
the need for solitude, a guest to unite lonely beings into a whole
that is beyond singularity and greater than the sum.
The sounds, the feelings, the wonder of just thinking,
thought without direction momentary aberations of time and space
amazement at imaginary journies or perhaps insanity.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Writing in Portland
Please check out these interesting links about writing in Portland, OR.
http://www.willamettewriters.com/
http://www.writearound.org/
http://www.angelfire.com/blues/writing/writing.html
http://www.up.edu/lrc/writing/
http://www.writingcenter.pdx.edu/
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Everytime I See My Pansies
HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY
This reminded my of my beloved grandma, who loved not pansies, but Violets!
Every time I see my pansies
Vivid in the golden sun,
You are with me in my garden,
And I am once again a child.
Vivid in the golden sun,
Their beauty brings me close to tears,
And I am once again a child
Learning to assume your grace.
Their beauty brings me close to tears
As I join hands with you in love,
Learning to assume your grace,
Dancing to your inner music.
As I join hands with you in love,
You are with me in my garden,
Dancing to your inner music
Every time I see my pansies.
http://www.jandm.cn/mom/mother-day-poems.htm
This reminded my of my beloved grandma, who loved not pansies, but Violets!
Every time I see my pansies
Vivid in the golden sun,
You are with me in my garden,
And I am once again a child.
Vivid in the golden sun,
Their beauty brings me close to tears,
And I am once again a child
Learning to assume your grace.
Their beauty brings me close to tears
As I join hands with you in love,
Learning to assume your grace,
Dancing to your inner music.
As I join hands with you in love,
You are with me in my garden,
Dancing to your inner music
Every time I see my pansies.
http://www.jandm.cn/mom/mother-day-poems.htm
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