(or, at least, resting for a while)
Well, to show you how busy I've been, I wrote this closing notice nearly a month ago and the few minutes to upload it just didn't appear on my schedule. I have a few ideas in mine for what to do with this site... without adding new content, I can still make the old stuff more easily accesible, but for the meantime I just wanted to let everyone know that I'm okay, just busy, and that I can do a kick-ass site, dammit... I just haven't yet.
Anyhow, here's what I am kicking ass in nowadays: English, Maths, Physics, Physcology. Mind you, I'm doing an degree in Electronics. Briefly, I'll explain why this bizarre situation of me kicking ass in subjects which are minor (or not even part of the degree):
English is a "core" subject. Like any other degree programme, the Associate Degree in Applied Science for the Barbados Community College (BCC) with Major in Electronics requires doing a certain number of mandatory subjects, such as this one. I kick ass in it because, well, I obviously write pretty, don't I? Self-expression is actually something which I was recently disappointed at my skills in, so right now I'm reaping the benefits of the self-improvement programme I started to counteract that. It feels reap benefits at something, finally!
Maths and Physics are "minor" subjects. Although, for the entire duration of the Electronics degree, I will be doing Maths courses. Already (I have been at BCC less than 8 weeks), the work is at or beyond A-Level Mathematics. I have previously studied A-Level Maths and Physics at Harrison College (HC), which is generally held as the best secondary school in Barbados. During my BCC days, I had excellent teachers in these subjects. However, I have been doing more than 12 extra hours of work per week after school in the library, in order to revise the old material and become proficient in the new material. Also, I bought "Engineering Mathematics", by K A Stroud, which is the best Maths book I have ever had the pleasure of referring to. It truely sheds light on maths as a fun and easy pastime.
Physcology is not a subject that I do, although later on it may become an "elective" (optional) course. However, I get complaints that I use physology terms too much... I take these as a compliment on how I see connections between the human and machine, both by analogy to each other, and due to the nature of their interactions with each other.
They're also a few little tidbits that may be of interest to you:
This Electronics degree is actually an engineering degree (not a technical, vocational, or academic degree), which prepares those who survive it to work with any form of electronic system, including but not limited to the design and implementation of embeeded computing systems (such as a Sony Discman, the computers controlling various aspects of modern cars, the autopilot system in aircraft, the Sony AIBO, a common computer printer).
Note that I said "survive", and not that I said "engineering... not academic". This degree is not like other degrees, where one is taught, or even lectured. Instead, tutors illustrate key points which we are later tested in various ways (lab exercises, timed tests, homework assignments, term projects). Tutors also tend to be very open to questions about any are which they may be knowledgeable about, however, they onus is squarely on the shoulders of the student to prosper within the environment given.
This degree is, without a doubt, the most difficult degree possible to be attempted at BCC. This includes Triple Major degrees which others attempt. In my humble opinion, this degree should be stated as "Ascociate Degree in Applied Science from the Division of Technology of BCC with Major in Electronics Engineering with Concentrated Focus on Maths, Physics, and Chemisty". Effectively making it a Quadruple Major.
Oh, and, this year, the degree is easier than it was every before, as we don't have to set the City and Guild's Ordinary Technical Diploma. However, some of the members of my peer group (those doing this degree concurrent to me) have done ODT tests via the local polytechnic, and claim that already (after less than 8 weeks), we can pass level 3 exams in maths and physics. Futhermore, I am comfident that before the end of this first year of this course, weshould be confident of passing A-Level Maths, Further Maths, Phsycis, Chemisty, and maybe other subjects which I'm not yet aware of, but which this degree is preparing us to demolish.
They are less than 20 people in the Full-Time programme, having been carefully screened from a pool of over 400 potential applicants.
Previous to this course, I hadn't done any maths or physics at all for about 4 years.
Approaching the tasks as fun produces a sustainable accomplishment ethic which allows me to teach the subjects as I learn them. Although this started as a survival tactic, it is actually a brilliant (though accidental... but I'll deemphasise the fact that I stumbled into it in any biography, in order to improve my image in the eyes of others) discovery which allows induced learning to take place. That is, by teaching work, I also (partially) learn to do it, recall it, and apply it.
The original closing notice follows;
CCXL was a project which exceeded my capability to acheive within my constraints. However, I attempted it anyhow... and hence learned from experience to consider constraints as well as potential, in order to arrive at capability.
Perhaps I should have a clearance sale or something... for now, here are a few tidbits of informaiton to take with you on your way to another website:
In conclusion, expect no further updates of CCXL... but you may expect further updates of this website, as I have a lot more redecoration to do.
Meanwhile, check out the website of my alter ego, Keinall "K31" Caddle [ link ]!
Links:
This page has been produced by K31, while enjoying a fan and a wind machine in his mini-studio. Overhaeting is particularly dangerous for the Martian mind, and is to be avoided at all costs!