Using the Internet and TCI Library: Connecting the Dots (Blog#2)

I had the opportunity today to explore some of the resources and services available through TCI's eLibrary catalog. As I explored the various resources and sub-resources available, I began to see how I can use the eLibrary to continue learning in all of my classes. I also began to do some thinking about how I can utilize websites as learning tools. 

Here is what I came up with as it pertains to each of my classes this semester.

Maj102 Intro to the Major:  The TCI eLibray has a listing of different web resources that can be found under the DMA major section called "Web Resources for Graphic Design Basics." This provides a link to a word document that has a list of websites that deal with all facets of graphic design which I think would be very useful of acquainting one's self with the field. I also discovered a website called Think Design at http://thinkdesignblog.com/.  This provides a wide range of topics from typography sources to notable tweets to free texture downloads.

DMA 102 Color and Graphic Design:  Also found in the DMA major section in TCI's elibrary is a selection titled "Arcade." This is a catalog that unites the Frick Art Collection Library, the Museum of Modern Arts Library and the Brooklyn Museum's library. A search of  'Adobe Photoshop' and 'color theory' revealed over ten combined books or articles that can be helpful in this course. I also found a website called http://www.photoshoproadmap.com. This site has tutorials, text effects and brushes available, and a large gallery of examples of  Photoshop work. 

DMA 103 Digital Design Fundamentals: The Articles section of the eLibrary has a Find Articles link, a quick 'digital design' search on the site yields literally hundreds of articles concerning the principles of design along with industry related articles. I found a comprehensive page detailing various angles of the principles of design on the about.com website.

DMA 107 Computer Drawing: The DMA section of the eLibrary has a link to the Internet Art Database. This will be very useful for freehand drawing which is a substantial portion of the class. It has pictures of many different kinds of visual art which can come in handy when you are looking for applied examples of different techniques. The Adobe Illustrator section of the Desktop Publisher website is a great resource for tips and techniques

Taking all these Internet sources into account, I wanted to share a video I found of Google's Chairman  and CEO, Eric Schmidt talking about the myth that technology is making us dumber, though voicing concerns that there may be-although unknown at this point-cognitive effects due to the fact that we are "skimming " information as opposed to "deep reading" it. I do think that without question, having access to a vast amount of information can only increase our capacity for learning.



Eng 101 English Composition: I have been using the site: http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/ as a guide to help me with grammar and sentence structure for some time and I anticipate that it will be very helpful with my English Composition class too. The eLibrary has an English Composition link that has two very useful tools. One is a link to: www.authenticwriting.com which offers writing workshop information. The other one is poets.org from the Academy of American Poets; it's a comprehensive resource for poetry, from finding poems or poets to tips on Poetry writing.

CMP 101 Introduction to Computers: The TCI eLibrary has a 'Handouts' section and under that is a 'TCI Periodicals' listing where you will find links to over 30 computer magazines that are relevant to this class. Also, since a good portion of Introduction to Computers deals with hardware, Hardware Central is a great site for anything and everything that has to do with hardware.

College; Thoughts On

I just finished reading Chapter 1 and 2 of College Rules. I found a lot-though not all-of the topics covered in both chapters pretty relevant. Taking college classes is definitely a big adjustment. We all obviously had our responsibilities prior to starting classes, but one of my biggest challenges has been integrating my preexisting responsibilities with my new obligations at TCI. Now I don't want to show my age here, but let's just say that is has been a few years since I have attended school, and even before I started actually attending classes I had to go through the bureaucracy of the financial aid process; taking entrance exams, standing in lines for book, etc. Like it says in the first chapter of the book, these are things that all students must go through in order to graduate. For me, the two most important topics covered in the first chapter were starting off  on the right foot and the 'clean slate' idea, that college students irregardless of the their previous academic history are given a new opportunity to excel. I like the idea of the latter a lot, and since we are being given a clean slate, I think it is important to start strong so that we show ourselves and others that college is going to be a positive experience and we are willing to do the required work. The Internet is full of resources for individuals entering or returning from a long absence to the college environment; Free College Resources is just one example, and you'll notice that one of the first topics covered on their homepage is asking for assistance. 

Chapter 2 of the text book, talks about just that, Where to Find the Help You Need. Since I am only in the third week of the semester, I haven't been in a position where I've had to ask for a lot of academic help, (although I am sure I will be) but since the very beginning of the whole process I've had to make sure that I asked a lot of questions in order to assure that I know what is required of me, I understood the process, and where I need to turn in case I have any problems or questions. 

I know the experience will be challenging but it is an experience I expect to enjoy and have fun with. I'll leave with a little humor, this is a pilot for a sitcom that talks about the comic side of going to college.

Losers Series Promo from Dave Conte on Vimeo.