Bibliomaniac: » Book a Week

Book a Week 4

jquinonez — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 21:08:26 +0000

I read the second edition of Chicano School Failure and Success: Past, Present, and Future which is a really helpful source for additional sources. What I enjoyed about this book is that each chapter or section could be it’s own reading list. Any book dealing with the failings of the education system is a serious read, but there are many variables that impact the success or failure of Mexican American students in our education system.

San Miguel and Valencia asserted that due to a trilogy of oppressive Propositions passed in California and the adverse effects of the Hopwood case in Texas, “Mexican Americans [in California and Texas] face an educational crisis of unprecedented magnitude in the history of racial/ethnic minority education” (p. 354).

Book a Week 3

jquinonez — Wed, 16 Jan 2013 23:16:38 +0000

I finished reading Automate This: How Algorithms Came to Rule Our World. January 20th must be finished reading this title.

“Humans have been devising, altering, and sharing algorithms for thousands of years, long before the term itself ever surfaced. Algorithms needn’t involve graduate school math or even math at all. The Babylonians employed algorithms in matters of law; ancient teachers of Latin checked grammar using algorithms; doctors have long relied on algorithms to assign prognoses; and countless numbers of men from all corners of the earth have used them in an attempt to predict the future.”

While this book is not currently available at CSUN, I purchased it for my Nook over the holidays. Here are a few options for finding this title :

1) Search for a copy at a library
2) Purchase the ebook online via the Barnes and Noble (NOOK), Amazon (Kindle), or Google Books.
3) Visit your local bookstore

Book a Week 2

jquinonez — Wed, 16 Jan 2013 18:36:11 +0000

My week 2 read for the year was practical read, but one that I like to revisit before each semester before I finalize the syllabus for the CHS 230 course.
This book is helpful for faculty who need some inspiration for in class assignments, take home writing assignments, and final papers — rethinking how we teach students.

Engaging ideas [electronic resource] : the professor’s guide to integrating writing, critical thinking, and active learning in the classroom / John C. Bean.

Available at CSUN Oviatt Library as an e-book

Shows how teachers can encourage inquiry, exploration, discussion, and debate in their courses.
Presents a wide variety of strategies for stimulating active learning and for coaching writing and critical thinking.
Offers teachers concrete advice on how to design courses, structure assignment, use class time, critique student performance, and model critical thinking activities.
Demonstrates how writing can easily be integrated with such other critical thinking activities and inquiry discussions, simulation games, classroom debates, and interactive lectures

Book a Week – About

jquinonez — Mon, 07 Jan 2013 01:20:25 +0000

Following a marathon of Netflix streaming television shows, I was left feeling a little empty. While I appreciate the medium of television and film for storytelling, there is something about reading and imagining a particular story or topic that does not feel the same with visual media. There was a time before meetings, writing deadlines, and teaching when reading felt like an escape, not another thing to do on a list. Reading a book a week is a way to challenge myself to bring the joy back to reading. Some might already do this regularly and I applaud you. For those that have fallen behind, feel like there is no time, or just gave up on reading for pleasure … join me.

For 2013, I am challenging myself and YOU to read a book a week.

Join in and share with others what you are reading.
Follow the book a week list and share you ideas.

Book a Week 1

jquinonez — Sun, 06 Jan 2013 05:41:40 +0000

Pancho Villa by Alejandro Quintana
CSUN Patrons – ebook online
Community – Find at a nearby library