Sunday, March 25, 2012

Sunday, March 18, 2012

experiments in education: traiging assignments

Objective
Load system with more credits than manufacturer's spec max classes for optimal performance (A's), input command to pass classes, how long and does the system recover? System should be designed to maximize learning.

In other words, if I take way more credits than I should (based on experimental data from past semesters) for doing well, but only try to pass them instead of doing well in them, will I be able to pass all my classes?

System Design
Consider triaging of class assignments, as described in http://tech.mit.edu/V118/N15/dunn.15c.html.

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

more fitbit / sleep research

fitbit vs sleep cycle http://www.healthyobsessions.net/2010/12/sleep-tracking-looking-at-fitbit/ ,
1. The tracker is directly on you 2. They only make claims they can back up They want to make sure they can prove their claims, so they don’t try to deduce or diagnose from the data they collect.
Hmm, interesting because I've repeatedly had people tell me that data is interesting but only for a week before people get bored. What is key is making the data "actionable" or providing "suggestions" / expert recommendations.

It may related to casual versus serious user audiences: http://www.graphpaper.com/2010/03-07_for-sale-fitbit-like-new

Tuesday, March 13, 2012

Fitbit sleep data internet research

Brain/linkdump, got my first set of data out of fitbit properly (didn't realize* you could (a) hold down button for start/stop -> was recording times by hand and inputting manually (b) needed to wear on wristband on non-dominant hand to get accurate(ish) data, not just leave it in my pocket),
*fitbit doesn't come with a manual and the "help" link on the website is pretty tiny so I didn't bother 'till today

This morning 13 Mar 2012

Monday, March 5, 2012

N51 Machine Shop -- persuasive research


2009 http://tech.mit.edu/V129/N31/singapore.html

  •  a new kind of university centered on “integrated/holistic technologically centered education,”
  •  highlight an approach that is “interdisciplinary with fluid organizational boundaries” and include an emphasis on design and industrial involvement.