The Magnificent LSU Library

     I enjoyed Special Collections the most because it was cool to see such old and interesting books hands-on.  My favorite book was the book with the hidden picture on the painting.  I believe it was called a fore-edge book and I want to try it on a book.  I learned that the library won't have any books that I could use and the databases are slightly lacking in terms of sources for my topic.  I tried to refine my search terms and even broaden my search after receiving the lesson from the research teacher.  For those databases to be helpful to my research I will use them to search for background information or the psychological effect of the interaction between machines and humans.
     Once our individual research began, it became a mad dash to the coffee shop.  Unfortunately for me CC's does not display its cookies.  I did get a hot chocolate so I could become ready to research.  Using the public access computers were easy, although the chairs were had to move without a horrible screeching sound emanating throughout the library.  Anything that makes me standout is bad.  Although now I am not terrified to go the library, as long as I have someone else there with me.

Preparing for the Library

The library, I found, does not have any books about the Kinect which is to be expected since the device is so new.  Mr. Engholm recommended that I use the databases that the library provides.  I am going to bring my handheld scanner and a legal pad to the library tomorrow.  Would an iPad be a good idea?

Thesis Presentation Reflection

My individual expectations for a thesis presentation are 1) it is formal, and 2) it is representative of a yearlong research project.  I just always think to the presentations when I was a ninth grader.  Those are what I want mine to emulate.  I do not want to bore people; I want them to be interested in what I am doing.  I think the greatest challenge to completing a professional and engaging thesis presentation is forming it to obtain the right response from the audience.   For me the most terrifying part of it will be standing on the stage.  Just thinking about it makes me want to abandon everything.  The one thing that I am depending on is excitement.  By that I mean loving my thesis so much that my energy and excitement transfer from the stage to the audience.  If I were to design an assignment to help a student prepare for this presentation I would have the presenter practice again and again and again to gain confidence.  The more you do something the more comfortable you become.  My presentation will be entirely scripted.  I will not be able to function if I do not have something memorized, otherwise everything I learned would be instantly erased from my mind and I would be frozen on stage.  Since I am doing a fun thesis that I want to be able to demonstrate on stage using another student, I hope that this would connect me to the audience more.  I do not want people to be bored by me nor do I want them to laugh at me.

I went to the thesis rehearsals on Friday, but could not go on Monday.  I was fascinated with Brad’s thesis because his PowerPoint was thorough and aesthetically pleasing which fit his topic in how to make New Orleans’s waterways prettier.  He seemed nervous and his presentation was scripted.  Chris’ presentation was enjoyable because he seemed to really know what he was discussing in his slides.  His enthusiasm for the plankton translated well when instructing the audience.  Chris centralized his presentation around the process and protocol of him working in a lab because that was the “big thing.”  Madison was quite entertaining in her rehearsal on Friday.  I did recommend that she not be as peppy when she presents because it was distracting and, in my opinion, made it not as serious.  In my mind these presentations are serious and formal, although the audience would love her as we did.  I think these presentations showcase the different types of people who are presenting, which gives me a better idea of what to expect and what to think about this aspect of thesis.

Research Day Whatever 1

Today I checked to see if the website I requested access to yesterday was now available and it wasn't.  I even had a talk to Coach Stevens about it.  I know it was immature to do that to the help desk but it was months of anger built up towards them never doing anything.  They stopped responding to me.  I'm going to concentrate on doing all I can do with that site at home.  I still don't know if I should bring the Kinect to school to work on because I am afraid of messing up in front of everyone even though they are all working on their own theses.  I'll figure it out.

Discussing Binder Check #2

Today I talked to Mr. Engholm about my binder.  I am going to get started ont the Kinect this week.

I don't even know what research day this is

Today Mr. Engholm was going around having one-on-one discussions with people about their binders. I didn't get mine today. I am nervous because I am not sure how I did.

Thinking About Readers

     I had the reader conversation with Mr. Engholm today about me starting to think about possible readers.   Obviously Mr. McElveen is a possibility because I think he would provide amazing feedback amongst other things and provide an interesting perspective.  However, everyone (and I mean everyone) wants Mr. McElveen.  That's okay.
     Another option was Ms. Kelly.  She would be the cheerleader reader for me, someone to give positive feedback.  Mr. Engholm brought up a good point about when I defend my thesis it would be good to have a friendly face there.  Ms. Kelly was my advisor for two years and we still have a good relationship.
I would need a reader to compliment Mr. Bowman's technical part.  For this I was thinking Dr. Reuter or Ms. Szczpanik.  I  have really good relationships with both of them because of robotics.  I guess it comes down to availability.
     I am going to try to meet with them over the next week to see how they feel about my thesis.

Research Portfolio Two

Today I turned in my second research portfolio.  I had the most trouble with revising my proposal.  I listed out the three things (what, why, and how) in a separate document to help me focus on what I am trying to accomplish.  Ashley helped me reorganize my proposal by telling me something really simple that I was just overlooking.  I was going to get the Kinect from the robot lab tomorrow, but since we need it this weekend for robotics I was going to wait so I wouldn't mess it up for the competition.  I will continue my research and notecards.

Research Blog 13

Today I am organized my notecards to try to get a plan for what I need to do to prepare for the binder check on Monday.  I'll update later.

Research Blog 12

Today I missed more than half of the class because of my ESTAAR phone interview with Dr. Webb. That went well I think, but then I don't like missing seminar because I lose valuable research time AND we have a research check due next Monday. Time to freak out. I am so worried that I am getting behind. I am also really worried about being ready. Does that make sense? I know I shouldn't but I am started to question whether I can really do thesis. I want to, don't get me wrong! But, I just wonder if I can do it. I have so much other activities and classes going on and while it is a top priority other stuff gets in the way unfortunately. Oh dear. Time to have a deep conversation with myself.

Research Blog 11

Today I was trying to find more pure computer science articles like Mr. Engholm suggested. It is kind of hard, but I think it's just that I haven't found what to search for. I am still looking because I will miss class tomorrow. I am trying to keep up with notecards so that I am not scrambling when the next research check rolls around.

Research Blog 10

Today Mr. Engholm gave us back our research portfolios. My two problems were my introduction (a bit sloppy) and my proposal. He suggested that my proposal has the stuff I need but just in different places. He also said that he felt I didn't exactly know what I was going to do, which is correct. I know what I'm supposed to do but I am a bit confused about what I am actually going to do. He suggested that I try to reorganize my proposal and fit a simpler pattern.

1) What?

2) Why?

3) How?

I am going to have this for next week.

On a side note, I remembered my working title and I was so impressed: The Incursion of Science Fiction in Technology through the Xbox Kinect.

Be amazed.

Thank you.

Research Blog 9

Yesterday was difficult getting back into the swing of things. I was not able to play with the Kinect over the holiday so now that is at the top of my list. I am trying to gather more research about how other hacks were created.

Finishing the Research Portfolio

I am almost done with the portfolio! I have completed all of my notecards and am working towards finishing. I am not worried that I won't finish.

Research Blog 9

I am now officially freaked out about the research portfolio. I do not have nearly enough notecards to fulfill the twenty page requirement. But, I will prevail! Today I was able to get my head in the game to make a sort of plan about how to attack this portfolio. I must now tell you that I will destroy this check-in. That is all.

Research Blog 8

Yesterday and today I had a breakdown. Twenty pages of notecards. 20. 2-0. Friday. Oh my goodness. So I am going into overdrive. This will be fun, yet scary at the same time. This pretty much sums up everything. Time to make those notecards.

Research Blog 7

I realized I have a lot of work to do and will spend my weekend working towards the twenty page note card minimum. I have also found that I am not the most productive during the time in class so I must come up with a way to fix that.

Research Blog 6

Yesterday was exciting because it was ring day. I realized that I need a lot more notecards so that will be the focus of my researching today. To understand all of the coding instructions I really just need to connect the Kinect and just go. It is hard to make notecards about this aspect of my research because it is a lot of coding language. Mr. Engholm gave me the idea of talking to the helpdesk about it because they should know something about programming.

Research Blog 6

Today I didn't have too much time to research because by the time I got settled it was already almost time to go. I need to get faster at that. I'm not sure how I felt about Mr. Perkinson. He was nice but I don't know if he will fit in. Here is my reflection/impression that I sent to Mr. Engholm.

I liked how Mr. Perkinson asked everyone about their thesis project because it felt like he was trying to get to know us better. He was interesting to listen to and seemed enthusiastic about the job opportunity. I do have this fear, however, that it is all just an act (you might not want to include this part) and that he will turn out to be a dictator rather than someone like Mr. Brock because he seemed to have an edge to him. Of course, in his profession he has to have a strict side to control any out-of-control students. I know we can’t keep Mr. Brock and that there won’t be another Mr. Brock but I don’t want a new person. I do not know what we could we glean from our thirty minute meeting we him. Obviously, he is qualified as are all of the other applicants but I do not know what sets him apart. I should have asked this question in class but I thought it wouldn’t be appropriate. Overall I liked him, but he was trying his best to make a good impression, which isn’t his fault. However, I would like to meet some of the other candidates to form a rational decision so I could compare him.

Research Blog 5

Yesterday Mr. Engholm gave us the requirements for our research portfolio, which was overwhelming. It just made it seem how real it is, which is weird to say. I need a lot more notes to fulfill the 20 page 10 point font requirement. I am in the process of developing a plan to complete a certain number of note cards per day. Mr. Engholm also gave us a research day-by-day process sheet, which I did not...enjoy. Today in class we will meet with a potential head of upper school. I will post my questions later.

Research Blog 4

Today I was researching how to hack into the Kinect. Like how to actually hack into the Kinect and I am totally and completely lost. So I am going to get my Kinect, which I have to go to the store to buy. Speaking of that, we have a Kinect for robotics but I do not know if I can use that. I would not but I think Mr. Bowman expects me to use it. It is an awkward topic to broach. I do not mind going to get my own, but I don’t want to not disrespect him, but misunderstand him. I will figure it out, though. Let me jump back to what I was saying first about hooking up the Kinect. I hope once hooking it up it will all kind of fall in place and the directions I have found will make sense.

Research Blog 3

I finished my proposal on Friday after I included more information from sources. I think I fixed everything I needed to. I turned it in rather late. It has helped me focus my research. It is slightly overwhelming knowing everything I have to do. I have a lot of research left, mainly how to program the Kinect. I have found a site that details how to hack into the Kinect. I must say that I am scared. What if I can't do it? That has crossed my mind a lot. I really want to be able to do this. So many people seem to be doing this that it makes me think I can do it with enough help from these resources, but what if I can't? Will it all have been for naught? I sure hope not. But it is still a very real possibility. I have my research cut out for me and know what I need to accomplish this week.

Research Blogging Day 2

Yesterday I met with Mr. Engholm at the very end of class to discuss my proposal. I will finish talking about it with him today. I need to come up with a purpose for my thesis. What can it change other than just the future of gaming and technology? Today at lunch I will meet with Mr. Bowman to discuss my proposal.

Here's to happy proposal writing.

Day One of Research Blogging

Today I watched anxiously as other students sat across from Mr. Engholm discussing their proposals. This stressed me out a lot as some of the other people looked, well, not upset but definitely stressed. I keep thinking about my proposal wondering how I could fix it. This Wednesday is when we need to have met with our advisors by to discuss our proposals. I will try to talk to Mr. Bowman tomorrow about that, although I know he is extremely busy with FIRST Robotics right now, but I knew that going in.
I have a found a lot of information online detailing the innovativeness of Kinect hacks. I have joined many "hacking" sites to learn more about how to first hack into the Kinect and secondly how to create my own hack. I am also about to start a series of computer science videos produced by Harvard to increase my computer programming savviness. By about to I mean as soon as I make a schedule that devotes a certain amount of time each week to watching and taking notes on these videos. Hey, I could do that during our time in The Cave. But no, I should probably research something else, although this is an integral part of my thesis project. Speaking of schedules, I am completely overwhelmed. I wake up and, depending on the day, go to Chinese class for 7:00 a.m.. Theme I have all of my classes until 3:15, which is only the beginning for I will spend another three hours on campus. I will either go to softball or robotics (I am the semi-president as all we did was just raise our hands) and some times afterwards go to mock trial. Someways, such as tomorrow, I have all four of these additional things to do on campus. It makes for a late night as usually I have a large amount of homework that is impossible to be completed before 12:00 a.m. at the earliest. This itself is quite stressful. I have come to the conclusion that in order to e successful in each day of researching I must makes an agenda I things I hope to accomplish. I could do this in a word document or in my notebook. I can even do something similar to a long term plan in Noodle Tools. Here's to happy researching.

What problems do I anticipate regarding using, engaging, and managing sources? And anticipating those problems, how can I address them?

I anticipate lots of sources that I can’t use because what I am researching is relatively new equipment. The sources won’t be well known or “approved.” One of my worries is that when reading my sources I will not be able to understand all of the technical jargon. I am not worried about managing sources because I really like Noodle tools. During my Biology Honors cancer paper, I finally realized how important Noodle tools is so I don’t hate it anymore and actually like it because it is so incredibly helpful. I have become good at organizing my notecards and sources, so I am not too worried about managing my sources although I am sure that there will be hundreds of notecards and bibliography entries.

I am not quite sure how to address the source problem. I will be searching a lot of tech sites trying to find reputable sources. Mr. Engholm said it’s different for everyone’s thesis. To overcome the technical language I will have to research those words, which will lead to more sources. It will become a chain of information and sources and will help me understand my sources. I think these problems are definitely manageable.