9/26 Research Question Reflection

I have enjoyed searching and finding books for my research question. In the midst of creating that relation between my research question and my audience, I have found so much more of a relation to it myself. I have not really given much thought as to the effect of art within the mathematics field before, nevertheless I am a person who has an aesthetic learning style, hanging on to pictures that depict what I am learning. Therefore, now that I am actually shining the light on that area and exploring the topic, I am enlightened! So far I have found an artist who is very influential, not only to artists alone, but mathematicians. That is a great find for my research topic because it will be able show concrete evidence of math and art’s cohesive relationship. I am realizing that I probably should find a book about the positive and potential effects of pictures and visual art in mathematics, because it would further my point immensely. With that said, I have rethought my research question in the sense of narrowing it down and finding a more relatable and pleasing argument. I look forward to bringing all this information and discoveries to my research paper!

Filter Bubbles

What do you think of the suggestions for getting out of the filter bubble? Are you going to try any of them?

As far as I know of computers and how they operate, I think they are wonderful suggestions! I did do what a few of them said to do, especially the ones where you delete your cookies and change settings on Facebook and my web browser, Google Chrome. I have heard before that deleting your cookies is good for your computer anyways. It helps with storage and keeping your computer running at a good speed, not slow! I think these suggestions are leading us in the right direction of “popping that filter bubble.” Like the page said, they are simple and easy to follow. I don’t want to have any of the junk that comes with filter bubbles, nor do I want other websites and companies tracking where I go. In one sense, getting things tailored to your likes and dislikes can be a good thing; one is able to do less searching. However, it is more constricting than anything because it hides other things that you would want to see anyway and (within Facebook) people that you want to see no matter what views and likes, whether the same or different, they have. I want to be able to see all the available results instead of those companies thinking they are giving me what I want. I echo what the video said; I want to be challenged and I want my knowledge to be expanded. If I want to filter my search, then I will; I do not want it done automatically. Taking the steps within the suggestions is leading me that way. Just say no to the filter bubbles!!

9/19 Applying Skills

There are a few ways I can apply the skills that I have learned in this class to work in other classes:

One way is that I can do research in a much smoother way; the process is not as time consuming as it would have been if I did not know what I was doing. It is a given that research is time consuming anyways, but what I am getting at is that I do not have to waste time taking every single step there is and looking up how to do each step. Like driving, once you get used to what you are doing, you figure out the shortcuts and faster routes.

Secondly, I can use research that I know is trustworthy and credible, through my references, sources, and citations. When you try to make a point or an argument, and in the process try to get your audience to understand or even persuade them to your side, you want back-up to it and back-up that is accountable. People count on those who really know their stuff, who are wise and knowledgeable on their subject.

Finally, I can apply these skills by reassuring that I have done my work the right way. Instead of just throwing something together, I have work that is thought out, backed up by scholars, and well written. I am not saying I am this great person who does incredible work; I am saying that I can at least count on the fact that I know what I am doing and am on the right path.

Interview

I interviewed Doris Sudduth, who is a junior here at UWG. She is also in my U.S. History Honors class. When I asked Doris about research papers that she has done, she could only think of one that she is currently doing. It is for her Sexual Revolutions in American History class, which is taught by Carey Pitzulo. Doris said that she is writing a paper on 18th Century Midwives. Her teacher is requiring 7 primary sources and 7 secondary sources. This just blew my mind and definitely does not make me look forward to papers that I have to do in my upper grades. Doris said that she is finding her 7 primary sources on GALILEO, through diaries of midwives. As for her 7 secondary sources, she said that those are more difficult to find. Looking through GALILEO for those as well, she stated that they are difficult because her teacher specified that the secondary sources have to be journal articles published since 1995. You could imagine that there may not be a plethora of journal articles by midwives; one has to persevere in their search. Doris did mention two of her primary sources that I thought were interesting to report. She stated of one midwife’s journal, that she was very professional and only recorded the medical issues. As for another midwife’s journal, Doris said that this woman was a gossip. This woman spoke of the affairs by men and women and stories that were supposed to be kept quiet. I thought this was interesting, one, because little did either of these women know that their journals were going to be read here in the 21st century, and second, that one of the women recorded the gossip of that time. I enjoyed this interview with Doris and saw that there is much hard work to do in my upper grades.

Extra Credit - Debate

Before you read my report on the debate, I would like you to know that I wrote down information as correctly as possible. I would like to apologize for any information that is incorrect. Each debater spoke fast because they were only given so much time to debate. 

The debate last Wednesday night was between UWG and Clark Atlanta/Spellman colleges. The subject of debate was on why you should attend Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU). Both sides used appeals to me and the audience’s emotions and fact-based research findings.

They appealed to our emotions by using quotes that were inspiring and moving. For example, UWG debaters quoted Nina Simone’s song Feeling Good, “It’s a new dawn, it’s a new day, it’s a new life for me, and I’m feeling good.” Clark Atlanta/Spelman quoted an African Proverb, “When there is no enemy within, the enemies outside cannot hurt you.”

They both used statistics: UWG, in argument against going to HBCU, said that:

1. The debt at HBCU is too great.
• 19 out of 21 HBCU have the highest default rates within their states.
• $2.5 billion go to HBCU, more government subsidies than states schools recording that $22,225 per student.
2. They argued that UWG and UGA have more African American students than Clark Atlanta and Spelman.
• They also said that UWG has 4 sororities and fraternities, backing that UWG does offer great programs and opportunities for African American students.

Clark Atlanta/Spelman for their argument of why you should go to HBCU used statistics and research such as:

1. They said that black on black crime is a serious issue: 93% are committed by African American in crimes against black people. They argued that going to HBCU will help you find cultural identity. Also, that you will be able to go into those communities hit by black on black crime and make a difference.
2. They also said that going to HBCU will teach you professionalism. They claimed that Goldman Sachs Bank has a partnership with one school, which is Spelman College. They have direct access to internships and job opportunities. Other companies offer this as well when you are in HBCU. 

Those are just a couple of the statistics and research each side used. Neither side told what sources they used. A notable fallacy that Clark Atlanta/Spelman used was tu quoque. They ignored when UWG debaters wanted statistics on how many students actually get hired from said companies above. Each side presented their argument in the order they did because it was the most effective way. For example, Clark Atlanta/Spelman started off with the black on black statistics to get everyone’s attention. Each time UWG came up for cross-examination, they would challenge the claims and then make their argument. UWG arguments started off with claims that it should not matter exactly what college you are going to, but it matters that you are going at all. This was extremely important because the name of the debate was Why You Should Go to HBCU. With that being said, I do believe that UWG won the debate. Although Clark Atlanta/Spelman provided statistics and great reasons as to why you should go to HBCU, UWG won because they had a much stronger argument in providing great reasons of just going to college no matter what, let alone going to UWG.

9/12 Comparison of Ingram Library to Others

My comparison of Ingram Library's catalog to other experiences in looking up books elsewhere is not hard to make. There is one major difference that I have noticed. That is the options available in the Ingram Library catalog compared to say Villa Rica Library, where I frequently check books and movies out. By options I mean the availability and number of books; also, the easiness and advancement of technology.

We all recently learned that the Ingram Library holds close to 500,000 books, which is amazing!! I do not think Villa Rica holds even a tenth of that. The number of books definitely contributes to what is available within the library. I do have to say of Villa Rica Library, which is a part of the West Georgia Regional Library and uses the Georgia Library Pines, that if a book is not found at their library and is at another brother location, will have it shipped to them. This is convenient for a small library; however, Ingram Library does that as well.

The easiness and advancement of technology within Ingram Library is another great option that has influenced my experience; it was surprising too. I have never dealt with a library like Ingram before. I love that there are so many computers available for the students to use. Another positive about the computers is operating them; they are easy and not complicated. Even if you have never used their system before, it is not hard to become familiar with it, especially with the great help from the staff. Yet another positive about the computers is the search engines available and advancement. It makes the search shorter to complete and leads you to books you never would have thought you could find.

Book Research

As I looked up books for our research project, I was doubting that I would find a book that was going to be key in me making my point; I did not think I would find a book that would help my readers understand what I was wanting to say. However, it was not so when I looked through my search results. The two books that I chose out of the search results were Math and Art: An Introduction to Visual Mathematics and The World of M.C. Escher. The first book is very obvious to what it is about; the second one is about a very influential artist, known for his inspiration in the world of art and in math as well. Those are couple of reasons why I chose to find these two instead of other books that came up in my search results. Another reason, probably the main reason, was when I went to find the books. I wrote down 6 call numbers just to have enough books to choose from and even more so, in case any of those books would not help my research project. These two books were the most intriguing and interesting; they were books that I would like to check out even if I did not have to for our research project. 

I chose The World of M.C. Escher as the book that would be better to use for my topic. This is because I feel that M.C. Escher’s influence is so great and so inspiring to both artist and mathematicians. That is also how I would use this book to answer my research question.

Library Ethnography Project

My partner was Katrina Carmona. We did our video from the view of someone who does not know how to look up a book in the library. What I did was play the person who knew what to do and Katrina played the person who did not. I pointed out what to do, within the video, for each step in the process, explaining what the call numbers were and what each level held. Now for behind the scenes, Katrina and I both worked on focusing on the important steps. I got the info on what a call number was and what each floor was for from a library aid. Katrina kept track of the info and also took the lead in directing the video; I was an assistant to the director.  ;) We had a lot of fun shooting this video and both learned how to look up a book in the library while doing it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uP1hEhHpySU

9/5 Refining Research Question

Refining my research question is a taste on both sides of easy and complicated. I’m wanting to research on the impact of art in math and its effects on students, teachers, and artists. While that sentence can be confusing, if you read it two or three times over, you’ll catch it. With today’s exercise, I will refine my research question by looking at what I want the reader to grasp, understand, and appreciate about art and its role in mathematics. Learning from the exercise, I do not want my research question to be too broad or too narrow; I want to have it specific enough where I will be able to extend on my points. I can also refine my topic by paying attention to what points and measures my question is looking at. I feel that my direction is good for my research question. It is always good to find a research question that everyone can relate to, in the sense that they feel they can agree on some level. To refine my research question, I am going to make sure that people will be able to relate to it, even if they do not have the same major as mine.