Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with books and education

books? why do you need books?

fifilaru — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 21:02:27 -0800

Library of the future? I run a small community college library (70,000 books, budget after salaries of $150,000). The college is part of a large state university system. Our chancellor is convinced that within the next five years or so all of the books at the Library of Congress will be digitized and online for free. He wants a plan for the library about how we will deal with the coming digital revolution. He asked me what I am going to do with all the room once I get rid of the books in a few years.

Our library is pretty good with technology. We have 20 new or newish computers for students to use, loan Kindles, have Blu-ray DVD players and large HD televisions. In addition to the physical, collection (70K books) we have access to large article and e-book databases.

Can anyone direct me to studies of the libraries of the future? Does anyone have any ideas what I should tell him? I am very good at putting things together and creating impressive reports. I am just having a bit a a problem wrapping my mind around this.

Libraries are awesome

serazin — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 21:11:52 -0800

I've taken responsibility for a very small children's library and I'd love your ideas for making it awesome. My kid is going to a tiny little school where every parent takes a volunteer job. I chose the job of managing the small library. I'm supposed to keep it organized and accessible, and to create displays and possibly events. I'm also supposed to coordinate a Scholastic book fair (I'm sure everyone would be open to some alternative to Scholastic - so suggestions welcome on that score as well.)

I don't have a ton of time, and the school doesn't have a ton of money. Given those limitations, I'd love to hear any ideas you have for making the library useful, attractive and vibrant.

(Note that I admire and respect librarians, and recognize that I am not one! I wish all schools had a paid librarian, but this school doesn't - it only has two paid staff people all together - so I hope to do my best with what's available.)

Help a 13 y/o get to know the Amercian soldier.

keith0718 — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 12:30:34 -0800

What resources (films, books, websites) can I share with my 13 y/o daughter who has expressed a recent keen admiration and care for the American soldier from the Vietnam War era to the present? I recently took my 13 y/o daughter to see The Hurt Locker, after which she expressed a deeply felt admiration for the American soldier. I told her that not everyone feels the same way; and that, especially after the Vietnam War, soldiers were subject to quite a bit of disrespect when they returned home. She was really interested in his phenomenon and I would like to direct her to some resources (films, books, websites) that help her explore it and empathize with the existential experiences of the American soldier both on the battlefield and at home.

Books are Rad, Let's Spread the Word!

micklaw — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 00:46:34 -0800

DonatingTextbooksInAustraliaFilter: How would I go about donating a heap of recent secondary school textbooks to worthy causes. I'm in Melbourne, Australia. My aunt (actually) has a whole stack of textbooks that my cousins no longer need (having recently finished school) and they can't sell back to the school as new editions have come out.

There are textbooks on a whole range of subjects (English, Maths, Geography, Physics, French etc) and they are all in excellent condition.

They are looking to donate them to an organisation that could distribute them overseas or even within Australia to those who might not be able to easily access these books. The oldest book would only be 4 or 5 years old and most are very recent.

My question then is who could we pass these books on to to get the most out of them

Did Richard Feynman have a brother?

SamuelBowman — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 03:09:42 -0800

I'd like to learn about biology. Can you recommend some books to get me started? I've only done secondary school (ie, high school) biology and my background is in history, so I'm fairly ignorant of the subject, but I've always been interested in it.

What I'm looking for are recommendations for books that will introduce me to the topic – my specific interests are in zoology and evolution, so advice there would be great, but I'd like a primer on the whole field as well.

I really enjoyed The Selfish Gene, but more because of its discussions of animal behaviour than genetics, so that might show you what I'm looking for. It would also help if the book(s) are enjoyable to read – a textbook might have some great information in it but be horrible to read. What I want is to be able to think like a biologist, understand what it is that's going on in the field today, and learn about the how (and why) living things work.

Contemporary Art History and Theory

tusharj — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 11:44:37 -0800

Help me learn as much as I can about the history and theory of contemporary art. I would at this point, love to take up a full time course for two years on the above, but for several reasons I cannot do so. I can however, spend 3-4 hours daily to read and study. I also spend almost three months of the year travelling to various biennales, museums and collections around the world to up my knowledge. But while I am fairly up to date with what is going on today, I need to get myself a proper history so i know the context of what I am seeing. So if someone could provide me with a systematic syllabus of what I need to read, it would be appreciated. An actual syllabus from a top notch program would be the best. A great book I read on the subject was "Shock of the New" by Robert Hughes.

The Maid of Orleans: details?

fantine — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 12:00:48 -0800

What are the best sources of material about Joan of Arc's life and work? I'm about to (ideally) commence an independent study on Jeanne d'Arc (Joan of Arc) for this semester as a university undergrad. I plan on starting with basic biographical information and then moving into scholarship about her personage and deeds. The focus may be on contemporary (or 20th-21st century) views of Joan; it may be "Joan's body as public symbol"; it may be something else entirely.

What are the best biographies of Joan? Are there any particularly good film adaptations that I ought to check out? I know about the Joan of Arc Archive but are there other good websites to explore?

Also, I'm currently in France. What sites should I visit as a sort of pilgrimage, besides the obvious ones like Domremy, Orleans, and Reims?

Inspirational Stories for 8th graders

kaozity — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 12:18:30 -0800

Can anyone suggest inspirational readings for 8th graders? Hello All,

I need some suggestions on books, essays, short stories you've read that really moved you or opened your eyes. Topics I am looking for are race/biracial (passing), privilege, class, gender issues, identity. Basically writings on personal adversities and hardships. Short stories and essays are ideal. I am asking because I am doing a social justice class through literature for seventh and eighth graders. Thanks for you help!

Simple French-language booklets for Kenyan French teacher of elementary students?

vanoakenfold — Fri, 23 May 2008 04:00:38 -0800

On a recent trip to Kenya, we visited a school who is in need of simple French language instruction booklets for elementary-age children. Most all of the language guides I've found are texts along the dense hardback or college variety, or come on DVD which wouldn't be at all feasible. Any ideas? They already know English. Just some simple, basic French core grammar structuring and lessons. They've recently been loaded up with young refugees fleeing from nearby French-speaking countries and are hoping to teach some to English-speaking kids. The teachers are very intelligent and college-educated but lack the resources I've got.

Using My Right Brain

netbros — Tue, 13 May 2008 18:49:35 -0800

How can I improve my art awareness (i.e paintings, sculpture, crafts, etc.)? I missed out on art and art history during my uninspired college years many moons ago. I'd like to do something now to improve that situation. What should I look for online; what books can I read to get a feel for the masters, as well as contemporary artists? Then, once I understand a bit about what I'm looking for, where should I go (museums, galleries) to enjoy the work? I live in the U.S., so I'd probably want to start there, but I plan to travel internationally when I retire. I would like to make art a part of my discoveries. As always, thanks very much in advance for your suggestions and ideas.

Math for pre-schoolers

billtron — Sat, 16 Feb 2008 07:42:11 -0800

My cousin's four year old son is obsessed with things like quarks and infinity. He insists to his mother that infinity is the last number. She isn't so sure, and wants to know more about things like strangeness. I don't want to determine this kid's future, but it seems fun to feed his curiosity. And since my wife's babysitter was Murray Gell-Mann, the responsibility has fallen partially on my shoulders to help answer his questions. What kinds of information can you recommend that I give to his mother so that she, an attorney and not a mathematician, and her son can learn more about this information. In particular, what kinds of books, games, and projects would introduce him to other neat ideas in mathematics and physics?

Will Work for Books

scaryblackdeath — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 11:36:40 -0800

High school teacher in Seattle needs novels in bulk. School doesn't have the money. Anyone know any good resources for this? I have taken over a Language Arts (English) spot at a high school in Seattle. The students asking me if we're going to really learn anything in class. (And yes, we will, but...) The book room here is pretty thin, and there are a couple of books I'd really, really like to do with them...

...but I sure can't afford to buy them on my own. The student population is overwhelmingly slanted to free and/or reduced school lunches, so I really can't send them out to buy their own books. And things are already rolling, so I don't really have time to go through a grant application.

I imagine there are resources out there for folks in this position. Anyone have any suggestions?

In particular, I'm really hoping to do "The Things They Carried" by Tim O'Brien and One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. I'd need sixty copies to be able to give one to every student.

Looking for an online store to easily find and purchase popular/classic books translated/written in European French. Mag subscriptions too!

iamkimiam — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 10:34:10 -0800

I'm looking for popular books, novels, magazines, comic books...in European French (not Canadian French). I'd also like to be able to easily order/purchase them from home (preferably from places like Amazon.com). Searching for books on Amazon.com is time-consuming...it would seem I need to think of a book I want, and search for it individually. I'd love to be able to find a list of popular books, etc. available for purchase somewhere. I'm looking for classics, short stories, current and past best sellers, and magazine subscriptions.

Some examples of the ultimate finds would be:
1984, or other George Orwell stories (except for Animal Farm)
Catcher in the Rye, Ordinary People, The Great Gatsby
Snow Crash, Geek Love, The Corrections
Any book or magazine about surfing
Fashion magazines

I could probably figure this out myself with some extensive googling, but your suggestions and experiences would free up the rest of my day and save me a lot of headache. I know there's got to be a compiled list somewhere, but I can't seem to get to it on my own. Merci!

Very Short Introductions - book recommendations

stbalbach — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 08:35:17 -0800

Which books do you recommend (or not) from the 173 volume series: Very Short Introductions?

How do you explain God, death, and infinity to a 5-year old?

jujube — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 09:38:36 -0800

How do you explain God, death, and infinity to a 5-year old? Please recommend a book or online resource for explaining philosophy, existentialism, and other abstract concepts to a young child not yet capable of abstract cognitions. I've been getting more and more stumped lately trying to answer philosophical/theoretical questions posed by a young child (5-year-old). Some examples: What is infinity? How can numbers go on for ever? If God made all things, then does it hurt God when we hurt the grass by stepping on it? Why is it okay to kill mosquitoes? Why are some people bad?

Ideally, I'm looking for a book that I can read to her that's written for a young child to understand. I'm specifically looking for a book on philosophy and existence. The key here is explaining abstract concepts in a way that a child who is not yet capable of abstract thinking can understand.

Also, if people know of books that they'd recommend for explaining complex, but concrete, concepts, that would be good too. By concrete, I mean things like: How does the brain think? How does my hand know how to move, etc.

Thanks!

Poor student wants $ back

rglass — Sat, 28 Apr 2007 17:26:38 -0800

What is the best site/method for selling back textbooks? What has been your best site/method for selling back textbooks? Does timing matter (i.e. is it better to wait until the end of the semester or the beginning of the next one)? Any practical advice on getting the most possible $ back would be appreciated.

Books for parents. Which one is your bible?

mitocan — Thu, 14 Dec 2006 11:59:00 -0800

Books for parents. Which one is your bible? Having 3 boys aged 2-4-6 I suddenly realized that it might make sense to learn from other people's educational experiences instead of falling into the same traps. But where to begin?

Help me nourish my brain.

Vindaloo — Wed, 23 Aug 2006 18:10:23 -0800

Can anyone recommend any good documentaries? Bonus points if its history or culture related. Recently I've been on a huge documentary kick (most with a leftist bent) but I'm having trouble finding new ones to watch. Here is a short list of the ones I've seen, that way you can hopefully get an idea of what I'm looking for.

The cream of the crop:
BBC - The Power of Nightmares
BBC - Why We Fight
BBC - Century of the Self
The Corporation
The Revolution will not be Televised
Orwell Rolls in his Grave
PBS Frontline - The Dark Side

Good ones but not "meaty" enough:
How William Shatner Changed the World
CBC - Stupidity
OutFoxed
Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room
Supersize Me
BBC - Time (4 part series)

Things I'd rather avoid:
Micheal Moore (seen em all anyways)
Nova (educational but too basic)

A lot of the documentaries I listed changed the way I see the world, and made me go out and research the topics and people presented (for example, after watching The Corporation I read the book Ecology of Commerce mentionned in the film, what an enjoyable read). In a sense I feel like I know and understand a little bit more of our extremely complex world, and I hunger for more knowledge, can anyone help? Oh and I'll accept good book recommendations too!

Best books about psychotherapy?

shivohum — Tue, 18 Jul 2006 07:26:39 -0800

I want to learn about psychoanalysis/psychotherapy/etc. -- what are the best books? I'm interested, in particular, in modern books that synthesize past learnings in the field; excellent books that detail the practice of what it's like to be a therapist; and anything else you consider highly valuable, educational, and enriching in the field.

Engaging writing is a big plus.

Is listening to an audio-book less intellectually stimulating than reading the same book?

nthdegx — Sun, 18 Dec 2005 20:47:29 -0800

Is listening to an audio-book less intellectually stimulating than reading the same book, especially in terms of literacy and increasing vocabulary?

What are some good websites that review children's literature?

dagnyscott — Thu, 20 Jan 2005 20:31:56 -0800

What are some good websites that review children's literature? Bonus if the focus is on preschool or early elementary.