Started research with a new professor today! His name is Dr. Chris Longmore and he is a Cognitive psychologist. His research is quite a bit different from Dr. Large's. It's a face-recognition study, focusing on how we encode faces - portrait-wise or a 3 dimensional encoding.
My first session for Dr. Large was scheduled on Thursday, which is a pretty busy class day, so I only got to see how they set up the EKG cap. I was able to see the read-out for the EKG for was while too and learn the different brain-wave patterns and what they mean.
It sounds like I'm going to have more of a prominent role with Dr. Longmore's research, where I will be running all the sessions and helping with analysis. I'm excited but nervous about this, hopefully I won't screw up the math portion of the study!!
Also, a student was meeting with Dr. Longmore when I came in for our meeting who asked me to answer a few questions for his dissertation project. His research is pretty interesting as he has Asperger's syndrome and is double majoring in Computer Science and Psychology. His intentions are to create a computer program that is able to see through/understand ambiguity, when he, himself, cannot. The program was a bit hard to understand, but I think I got the jist of it: it will involve a driver's description of a car ride and the program will be able to simulate the occurence. This may sound easy, but if you start to consider the ambiguity of language it becomes intuitively more difficult. Think of the description "the road was bumpy" or "the car was swerving". There are both extremes and minor occurrences of these ambiguous descriptions. A computer is left dumbfounded with the 'thought' of "how bumpy was the road" or "how much did the car actually swerve". It will be incredibly interesting if he can create said program. The interview was interesting as well with the combined factors of his questions about ambiguity and the symptoms of his condition.
My free-time has run out and I need to go to class...
Until next time!
~M
Monday, February 28, 2011
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Class Analysis
Looking back, it looks like I haven't explained how classes are different here versus my past UIS classes, which gives me something to post about!
I am taking four courses here, but I go to Uni more than four times a week. Most of the classes that I take here have at least two sections: a lecture/screening portion and a seminar portion. The lecture or screening portion are as they sound... the lecturer lectures for the majority of the class time while the students take down notes. Screenings (for my film classes) are where the instructors will give a brief intro on the film you are going to watch and you watch the film(s). Seminars are where you meet in smaller groups and are more discussion-based.
How my schedule works:
Monday I have my American Animation History Screening, which depending on the day we may watch one long feature length film (currently Disney oldies) or various clips/short animated films. Tuesdays I have my American Animation History and Neuropsychology lectures. (Neuropsychology only has lectures, and no seminars/screenings). Wednesday I have my Anatomy of an Auteur lecture/screening which is where we watch all Hitchcock films. For my Anatomy of an Auteur class, it's one long session of both lecture and screening, rather than breaking them apart and meeting on campus twice. Thursday, I have my Children's Brit Lit Lecture, my seminar for my American Animation History, followed by another seminar for my Anatomy of an Auteur class. And finally, Friday I have my final class for the week which is my Children's Brit Lit seminar.
So, for the most part classes aren't TOO different from what I've experienced at UIS. The class sizes are a little bigger... Lectures are different as students do not contribute to the lesson, they just listen to the lecturer and take notes. Seminars are shorter versions of what UIS classes feel like, wherein students talk and contribute a lot more. Another adjustment I am working with is the lack of busy work! All I have is readings assigned and TONS of it! But there aren't papers or tests periodically throughout the year. I am a bit scared for the finals and final papers at the end!
My favorite class so far is my Anatomy of an Auteur which, again, is centered around the work and technique of Hitchcock. It's been thoroughly interesting! My audited Neuropsychology class is a bit drier than I thought it'd be, but I'm sticking with it!
I'm also starting research next week which I am incredibly excited about! Dr. Large said that not only am I going to helping collect data but I get to serve as a participant. The study involves EKGs, so perhaps I'll be able to see my brain in action! haha
That's pretty much it for now!
~M
I am taking four courses here, but I go to Uni more than four times a week. Most of the classes that I take here have at least two sections: a lecture/screening portion and a seminar portion. The lecture or screening portion are as they sound... the lecturer lectures for the majority of the class time while the students take down notes. Screenings (for my film classes) are where the instructors will give a brief intro on the film you are going to watch and you watch the film(s). Seminars are where you meet in smaller groups and are more discussion-based.
How my schedule works:
Monday I have my American Animation History Screening, which depending on the day we may watch one long feature length film (currently Disney oldies) or various clips/short animated films. Tuesdays I have my American Animation History and Neuropsychology lectures. (Neuropsychology only has lectures, and no seminars/screenings). Wednesday I have my Anatomy of an Auteur lecture/screening which is where we watch all Hitchcock films. For my Anatomy of an Auteur class, it's one long session of both lecture and screening, rather than breaking them apart and meeting on campus twice. Thursday, I have my Children's Brit Lit Lecture, my seminar for my American Animation History, followed by another seminar for my Anatomy of an Auteur class. And finally, Friday I have my final class for the week which is my Children's Brit Lit seminar.
So, for the most part classes aren't TOO different from what I've experienced at UIS. The class sizes are a little bigger... Lectures are different as students do not contribute to the lesson, they just listen to the lecturer and take notes. Seminars are shorter versions of what UIS classes feel like, wherein students talk and contribute a lot more. Another adjustment I am working with is the lack of busy work! All I have is readings assigned and TONS of it! But there aren't papers or tests periodically throughout the year. I am a bit scared for the finals and final papers at the end!
My favorite class so far is my Anatomy of an Auteur which, again, is centered around the work and technique of Hitchcock. It's been thoroughly interesting! My audited Neuropsychology class is a bit drier than I thought it'd be, but I'm sticking with it!
I'm also starting research next week which I am incredibly excited about! Dr. Large said that not only am I going to helping collect data but I get to serve as a participant. The study involves EKGs, so perhaps I'll be able to see my brain in action! haha
That's pretty much it for now!
~M
Friday, February 11, 2011
I'm still alive and kicking!
Sorry I haven't been posting a ton, as of late!
Classes are going well! I'm really liking my two film classes. The reading for each week is a bit strenuous though... Like for one week, I have a two page document of reading materials just for ONE CLASS! I've gotta figure out how to get a grasp of that and soon! Neuropsychology is seemingly different than I thought it would be, but I'm managing. I am QUITE excited at the prospect of starting research next week!
Other than that I have joined the Trampolining club, here. It's like gymnastics on a trampoline. I've been told I'm a natural and will be competing in two months in Dublin! I shall post a video/pics when I get them and update you on how this goes!
Also, I have been attending the "Tramps" (short for Trampolining, of course) social events... wherein they have these "fancy dress" nights where there is a theme and you dress up accordingly. So it's like Halloween, but more often! The last event I went to was last Wednesday and the theme was 'Genres of Rock N' Roll' and Kiri painted my face like Kiss... it was fun!
That's pretty much it for now!
Until next post!
~M
Classes are going well! I'm really liking my two film classes. The reading for each week is a bit strenuous though... Like for one week, I have a two page document of reading materials just for ONE CLASS! I've gotta figure out how to get a grasp of that and soon! Neuropsychology is seemingly different than I thought it would be, but I'm managing. I am QUITE excited at the prospect of starting research next week!
Other than that I have joined the Trampolining club, here. It's like gymnastics on a trampoline. I've been told I'm a natural and will be competing in two months in Dublin! I shall post a video/pics when I get them and update you on how this goes!
Also, I have been attending the "Tramps" (short for Trampolining, of course) social events... wherein they have these "fancy dress" nights where there is a theme and you dress up accordingly. So it's like Halloween, but more often! The last event I went to was last Wednesday and the theme was 'Genres of Rock N' Roll' and Kiri painted my face like Kiss... it was fun!
That's pretty much it for now!
Until next post!
~M
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