The Age of Robots - Part I

This is part one in a four part rant on the oncoming "Age of Robots"

I get asked a lot how an high school English teacher is so emphatically interested in the field of robotics. I suppose that in a stereotypical and somewhat satirical sense, I should be more infatuated with fine literature. I, of course, am. In fact, my concentration in college revolved around post-colonial literature from South Asia. However, if you take a step back, all fields of study are really interconnected are they not? I consider myself a student of the human condition.

Even as an English teacher, I attempt to bestow more than just a working knowledge of grammar, fluency in classic novels, or the nitty gritty aspects of the works of Shakespeare. I, along with many of my compatriots, focus on life skills and try our best to not only train the next generation to be competitive in the workforce, but also the next generation of decent human beings. Society is evolving at an exponential rate. Like it or not, things change. While at times these changes are for the better; other times they are most certainly for the worse. The fact of the matter is that if you don't "roll with the times," you will be swept away or left behind. It is important to realize, however, that the changes in the life and times of planet Earth are not on a fixed path. There are still ways to guide this ship safe to shore. These guiding winds lie within you, your thoughts, and your actions.

I remember reading a lot about robots of the future while growing up in the early 1990's. At that time, the thought of that kind of technology was always seen through a lens of awe. It was as if we were peering through a looking glass over the horizon of the future. These were exciting times. Now, more than twenty years later, we are taking our first steps towards that future. However, if you do a Google search today for robots, the majority of articles now speak of a plague on the horizon. A plague that will take your job and put you into poverty. We certainly are a curious species.

R.A.D The Robot (1990's)

The truth is like I have previously stated. That time... is here now. We certainly cannot live in fear of human advancement or shun those who would seek to discover it. We have adapted before and we will continue to adapt as a species. This is truly an exciting time and good things are in the future if we work for it.

This first entry is to serve as a sort of introduction to what I want to cover. The second and third installments will be dedicated to some popular culture in the world of robotics as well as some practical applications that it can have in K-12 education.

For those who are interested or want to get a jump start on what I am going to be covering, here are some starting points.

• Aldebaran Robotics
  
• NDtv Article : The Robots are Coming!!!

2012 - A Year in Review

In summation of 2012. Ian Bee....

• Nailed a teaching job.
• Started a blog.
• Visited Cape Cod for the first time.
• Enjoyed The Beachcomber for the first time.
• Enjoy much rest and relaxation at the lake.
• Ate chicken at Wright's over a dozen times.
• Got attacked by Super Munchers.
• Led a successful first-year U.S. FIRST robotics team.
• Paid off 75% of my credit card debt.
• Relished in my love of the avocado.
• Gained... and lost superpowers.
• Aquired a love for astronomy.
• Led the Goose Island revolution.
• Started graduate school.
• Gained many a bow tie.
• Got a new cat.
• Said goodbye.
• Reconnected with a long lost friend
• Instituted weekend trips to Keeper's
• Made Bow Tie Friday hip with the 7th grade.
• Learned to love Excel Spreadsheets.
• Had the worst of times.
• Had the best of times.
• Read some books.
• Learned to make a mean omelette.
• Planned to Free Tibet in 2014
• Sold away my video game collection.
• Watched every episode of FarScape.
• Was less boring.
• Learned how to blow glass.
• Learned to live a little.
• Worked over 45 Sundays at Hannaford.
• Moved out.
• Moved back home.
• Ate less fast food.
• Looking forward to a successful new year.

On time management.

I have fully settled into the new job. Things are well. I am, however, finding myself not having enough time to do, anything. Luckily enough, I have put aside thirty or so minutes for this long overdue blog posting. Truth be told, I have never really ever been that organized, or time-savvy as it were. The lack of time is punching me in the face like Liam Neeson in one of his action movies. 

Each week, my workday seems to be lasting longer and longer. 5, 6, even 7 in the evening at times. The good news is that I am actually accomplishing the work I set out to do. This was also a problem in my youth. Now, I must learn to consolidate work much like my debt, and pay over time. I have utilized things such as a calendar to improve my time management and to remind myself as to what day it is. These things really work wonders. 

Sometimes I feel as though I do not take enough advice from my cat. He knows how to live. 

Violo often times chooses to sleep. The entire day. 

I also find myself losing touch with my fellow educators. I tend to only leave my cubicle for coffee. Lots of coffee lately. Ergo, many trips to the bathroom as well. I'm sure my new time management skills will also help to assuage this as well. Not so much the frequent urinations, but the time away from friends. 

In other news, my swing dancing seems to be improving. At this rate, I shall be more than ready for next year's talent show. I have also changed my diet to that of mainly avocados. 

Well, my 30 minutes is up. Stay tuned for another exciting episode.

The Denim Deficiency

After many hours and many cups of coffee, this first week of school has finally come to a close. While it was a lot of work, I can happily say that I am settling into this new position nicely! Now, with the long weekend just beginning, I can sit down, put my feet up, and and do what I do best. Reflect.

This, of course, brings me to a tradition which I hold very dear. A certain tradition that I was introduced to during my first year on the job. Perhaps providing a little back story may clear things help you to understand. To my knowledge, many professions follow a similar tradition taking place on the Friday of every week.

Casual Fridays.

The idea is sound. A way to wind down the work week by allowing associates to ditch the suit and tie for something more comfortable. Jeans are a must for casual Friday.

I, personally, am indifferent towards denim.

In any event, at first I was elated at the concept of dressing down. After all, who doesn't love Fridays? Even better, who doesn't love to be reminded that it is, in fact, Friday? Thus, for several months I participated in the event, waded around in comfort, and was unsatisfied.

I started to think on the notion that many students believe that teachers are not real people. I know I felt the same way when I was in high school. I used to think that teachers went home and did teacher stuff. Teachers did not go to movies. They did not play video games. The list goes on and on. Perhaps a dress-down Friday was also a way to make the teachers seem more normal, albeit slightly, to students.

Regardless, the plain and simple truth of the matter is that I am not normal. That is why I got into teaching in the first place. That, and to save the world, of course. Enter...

Bow Tie Friday.

The truth of the matter is that many people have only worn a bow tie a few times in their life. Wearing one to your senior prom, or your retirement party. You may not notice yet, but this phenomenon of sorts is sweeping the nation. Bow ties have made a resurgence. Much like Nutella, or The Psychedelic Furs have. Perhaps wearing a bow tie is my way of going against social mores. Going in the opposite direction and choosing something that is considered more formal as opposed to less formal.

Or it could just be that I just look so good in them. So good.

The first Bow Tie Friday of the 2012-2013 school year

They really are not that expensive either. In fact, I get the majority of my bow ties on eBay for 99 cents each. Of course, I consider myself very skilled at sniping auctions. It is all part of the fun.

Its fun.

So now is the time to act. Self-tie or clip-on. Find a bow tie and help me on my journey to restore formality and dapperness to the human race.

Some starting points...

1. Article from Examiner
2. Article from The Wall Street Journal
3. A great place to snag your own bow ties

In the Captain's Seat

Life truly is stranger than fiction.

After oversleeping, losing my ID card, having the gas pump not accept my debit card, and spilling coffee on myself, I travelled with due haste to school. Living fifty or so miles from work makes for a long commute in the morning. The added addition of having the majority of the commute consist of highway miles gives the mind a chance to wander freely. When the mind wanders freely, of course, anxiety starts to kick in.

In this case, it was not only the first day of school. It was also my first day as a full-fledged teacher. New students and new responsibilities really don't allow a bagel with cream cheese to settle well in one's stomach. I remember arriving at the school, parking in my designated spot, and sitting for a few minutes to reflect on the morning and my life. If my life were a roller coaster, it would out perform sales on all major amusement parks in North America. I suppose it can be a good and bad thing. I, myself, don't really like roller coasters. Bumper cars are more my thing... fried dough as well.

The apex of this romantic comedy of a day came at the sounding of the bell which lets students know that they can enter the building. It was common knowledge at the end of the last school year that my position had been eliminated and that I was not returning in the Fall. Most students were unaware that I had been rehired. Surprise!!! Yes, it was quite an emotional reunion.

Right before the credits rolled, I was presented with a token of appreciation by two of my former students. A hot pink necktie.

Simply awesome.

The truth is, it's the little things that make all the difference. I often thought that possessing the qualities of a charismatic adult would help touch not only students' minds but also have an impact in the way they see and feel about themselves.

I realized today that this idea works both ways as it was they who had the impact on me.

It is good to be home!!!

Looking the part

Tomorrow marks the beginning of the new school year for many schools across the United States. The school in which I am employed is no exception to this. First days, or first impressions for that matter, are paramount in any given situation. For the students, first days can be both exciting and intimidating. I, myself, can remember many first days of school during my middle and high school journey. The thought of, "Where will I sit at lunch?" in particular always troubled me. Of course, as always, the first day jitters subside and eventually fade unleashing the humdrum days of learning in full force.

Even as a teacher, I still get these first day jitters in excess. Of course now I know full well where I will be sitting at lunch. No... my jitters often involve my wardrobe. Be that as it may, I believe the key to setting a positive and professional tone for the school year lies with first day apparel.

Being my third year working in a school, I have developed a certain strategy for attaining the perfect outfit to set the aforementioned tone. I do not want to appear too casual. Nor do I want to appear too professional. Either of these in excess would give off an inaccurate representation of who I am. A happy medium must be reached that expresses both professionalism and fun.

This is the sort of outfit that requires careful and painstaking planning. Allow me, if you will, to break this down.

Socks

The idea of socks may seem rather mundane to some. Especially since no one really sees them during the day. However, socks that border the line between simple and quirky have often made a good conversation starter. 

Socks that I wore to "New Teacher Orientation"

These socks, for example, may seem to be too flashy. In my case, however, they just happen to match the school's colors. This is a win.... all-around.

Ties

This is pretty self-explanatory. Neck ties of any sort of awesome. Bow ties, in particular, give an almost post-modern look that is clearly too detailed to go into. (At least in this post)

Some of my ties...

So which one do I choose... That is the question for the ages.

I could go on for hours.... and hours.

In summation, I suppose the real cusp of this matter is the notion of confidence. If I feel confident, then theoretically, others should feel confident via osmosis. Either way, on the first day of school tomorrow, I will unequivocally "look the part."



For those interested in looking the part, here are some starting points.

1. The Best Socks on the Planet!
   
2. Excellent Ties