Comments on: Prof in a Box http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2007/09/04/prof-in-a-box/ Random samplings from a universe of ideas. Sun, 05 Jul 2009 08:04:24 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.1 By: Using Sean Carroll’s Cosmology Course http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2007/09/04/prof-in-a-box/#comment-31770 Using Sean Carroll’s Cosmology Course Wed, 19 Sep 2007 22:43:58 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2007/09/04/prof-in-a-box/#comment-31770 [...] Cosmic Variance, one of my favorite blogs, and I find out that Sean Carroll, one of the bloggers on Cosmic Variance and someone who has an excellent ability to teach and speak clearly in public, recently completed a [...] […] Cosmic Variance, one of my favorite blogs, and I find out that Sean Carroll, one of the bloggers on Cosmic Variance and someone who has an excellent ability to teach and speak clearly in public, recently completed a […]

]]> By: Sean http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2007/09/04/prof-in-a-box/#comment-31791 Sean Fri, 14 Sep 2007 02:16:47 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2007/09/04/prof-in-a-box/#comment-31791 The idea is they are for a general audience. Think a university-level survey course -- "Dark Energy for Poets." The idea is they are for a general audience. Think a university-level survey course — “Dark Energy for Poets.”

]]> By: anonymous snowboarder http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2007/09/04/prof-in-a-box/#comment-31790 anonymous snowboarder Fri, 14 Sep 2007 00:23:34 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2007/09/04/prof-in-a-box/#comment-31790 sean - apologies if i missed it somewhere, but at what level would you say this lecture set is at? general audience? undergrad math/physics? higher? thanks sean - apologies if i missed it somewhere, but at what level would you say this lecture set is at? general audience? undergrad math/physics? higher? thanks

]]> By: Prof in a box: give the gift of knowledge « Later On http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2007/09/04/prof-in-a-box/#comment-31778 Prof in a box: give the gift of knowledge « Later On Mon, 10 Sep 2007 17:36:53 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2007/09/04/prof-in-a-box/#comment-31778 [...] in Education, Daily life, Business, Science at 10:36 am by LeisureGuy Interesting idea for a gift, no? Thomas Benton, writing in the Chronicle of Higher Education, describes the process [...] […] in Education, Daily life, Business, Science at 10:36 am by LeisureGuy Interesting idea for a gift, no? Thomas Benton, writing in the Chronicle of Higher Education, describes the process […]

]]> By: Sean http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2007/09/04/prof-in-a-box/#comment-31777 Sean Thu, 06 Sep 2007 16:17:56 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2007/09/04/prof-in-a-box/#comment-31777 TBB, you do get paid royalties when people buy the lectures, otherwise few people would do it. But, as is often the case with these kinds of things, when you divide by the number of hours it takes to prepare and give and tidy up the lectures, you realize that it's not all that lucrative. TBB, you do get paid royalties when people buy the lectures, otherwise few people would do it. But, as is often the case with these kinds of things, when you divide by the number of hours it takes to prepare and give and tidy up the lectures, you realize that it’s not all that lucrative.

]]> By: TBB http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2007/09/04/prof-in-a-box/#comment-31789 TBB Thu, 06 Sep 2007 07:12:09 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2007/09/04/prof-in-a-box/#comment-31789 I saw your course and name on the cover of the catalogue I got yesterday. Good for you that you are a chosen professor! There's a 3-page write-up about the course which looks interesting. I see there's also a <a href="http://www.teach12.com/store/course.asp?id=1249&pc=Science%20and%20Mathematics" rel="nofollow">Dark Matter, Dark Energy, Superstring Theory & Particle Physics (Set)</a> with Steven Pollack, whose DVD and course books I bought and enjoyed. I found I learn more when I watch and scribble notes as in a classroom. (He did not wear suits and ties, but I can tell you what color shirts and style pants look best on him, and after 24 lectures I think I developed a crush, sorry to say.) ;-) I think The TC does a very good job; they send me emails with my local cultural events such as lectures, museum exhibits, book signings, etc. plus free essays and downloads on various topics. The local university has non-credit courses of this nature but they are several hundred dollars. $69.95 is reasonable, they <i>are</i> cleanly produced and the professors' credentials are top-notch. (I think Wolfson does a good job too, btw.) The TC also asks for a lot of feedback on every aspect of their material including catalogue design. I don't mean to be tacky, but I'm curious what the professors get out of it - are you allowed to talk about that? Do you get royalties when people purchase your DVD set? Just curious how it works. I'd love to buy more of these when funds allow - I'm sure yours is great since you are apparently "relaxed, eloquent, wryly funny and brimming with ideas..." :-) I saw your course and name on the cover of the catalogue I got yesterday. Good for you that you are a chosen professor! There’s a 3-page write-up about the course which looks interesting. I see there’s also a Dark Matter, Dark Energy, Superstring Theory & Particle Physics (Set) with Steven Pollack, whose DVD and course books I bought and enjoyed. I found I learn more when I watch and scribble notes as in a classroom. (He did not wear suits and ties, but I can tell you what color shirts and style pants look best on him, and after 24 lectures I think I developed a crush, sorry to say.) ;-)
I think The TC does a very good job; they send me emails with my local cultural events such as lectures, museum exhibits, book signings, etc. plus free essays and downloads on various topics. The local university has non-credit courses of this nature but they are several hundred dollars. $69.95 is reasonable, they are cleanly produced and the professors’ credentials are top-notch. (I think Wolfson does a good job too, btw.) The TC also asks for a lot of feedback on every aspect of their material including catalogue design.

I don’t mean to be tacky, but I’m curious what the professors get out of it - are you allowed to talk about that? Do you get royalties when people purchase your DVD set? Just curious how it works. I’d love to buy more of these when funds allow - I’m sure yours is great since you are apparently “relaxed, eloquent, wryly funny and brimming with ideas…” :-)

]]> By: sysrick.com http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2007/09/04/prof-in-a-box/#comment-31776 sysrick.com Thu, 06 Sep 2007 01:29:02 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2007/09/04/prof-in-a-box/#comment-31776 [...] Prof in a Box [...] […] Prof in a Box […]

]]> By: MJ http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2007/09/04/prof-in-a-box/#comment-31775 MJ Thu, 06 Sep 2007 00:35:41 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2007/09/04/prof-in-a-box/#comment-31775 I'm impressed by my recent exposure to a Teaching Company class. Very accessible, since all courses go on sale at least annually. And what would a course be, without <a href="http://detailmuse.blogspot.com/2007/06/atomic-sombrero.html" rel="nofollow">student commentary</a>? I’m impressed by my recent exposure to a Teaching Company class. Very accessible, since all courses go on sale at least annually.

And what would a course be, without student commentary?

]]> By: Spiv http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2007/09/04/prof-in-a-box/#comment-31788 Spiv Wed, 05 Sep 2007 23:56:58 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2007/09/04/prof-in-a-box/#comment-31788 Congratulations on the lecture series. I've used a number of TTC's lectures over the years to help broaden my understanding (I refuse to only get one instructor's version of anything), and I'll definitely be getting this series. And TomC: I feel confident in answering your question with a firm "Yes." Congratulations on the lecture series. I’ve used a number of TTC’s lectures over the years to help broaden my understanding (I refuse to only get one instructor’s version of anything), and I’ll definitely be getting this series.

And TomC: I feel confident in answering your question with a firm “Yes.”

]]> By: Belizean http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2007/09/04/prof-in-a-box/#comment-31774 Belizean Wed, 05 Sep 2007 22:51:44 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2007/09/04/prof-in-a-box/#comment-31774 Maynard Handley wrote: "I’d give particularly high marks to Berkeley for putting course lectures online..." Where did you find these? I could only find their colloquia and UCTV. Maynard Handley wrote:

“I’d give particularly high marks to Berkeley for putting course lectures online…”

Where did you find these? I could only find their colloquia and UCTV.

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