I recently came across a comical picture that describes the seating arrangements of university students in a lecture/seminar. While this may be a satirical take on students, I have to wonder if this is true. Does sitting closer to the front give you a chance to really soak in information? Does sitting near the doors mean you want the easiest way to exit? Does sitting in the back indicate you’re “too cool” to sit at the front and spend your time texting your friends?
Some would argue and say that “yes, seating does matter”. Seating would matter in the sense of how well you would pay attention. Sitting in the first few rows allows for a closer look at the professor and you would have to be paying attention because you’re right within the professor’s field of vision. Being in the first few rows would allow you to be alert and ready to take on the lecture at hand.
However there are others who would counter that argument and say “no, seating does not matter”. Their reasoning would be that regardless of where you are sitting in class, what actually matters are the marks from the assignments and/or exam. It could also depend on if the student was early or late for the class and they just pick whatever seat was available.
With these two arguments in mind, I attempted to put this ‘seating arrangement’ matter into my own hands. I spent this past week sitting in different areas of the classroom: front, middle row, back, near a door, etc. While this may not be everyone else’s experience, this was mine.
Sitting in the front row actually ‘pressured’ me into paying FULL attention to the lecture and discussion and reduced the temptation to glance over at my phone, for fear of being rude to the professor. I was fully engaged in the class. Now sitting in the center of the room seemed to reduce that ‘pressure’ that the front row gave. The center was a bit more relaxed and I was able to pay attention without getting distracted by my phone. The back of the classroom, you know the “too cool for school” section seemed the most relaxed. I actually typed the introduction for this piece while sitting there. (I advise you to NOT do this!)
All in all, I believe that for me personally, seating in a lecture does matter. Although my “seating arrangement experiment” was not a formal one, it did provide some insight into this ‘myth’ of where people sit in class. This ‘myth’ might not apply to others but I believe it’s an interesting topic for debate and discussion.
On February 17, join fellow U of T students in participating in the new World Wildlife Fund Canada initiative, National Sweater Day. Similar to WWF’s Earth Hour campaign, National Sweater Day is a Canadian initiative which hopes to bring all our nation’s citizens together for one day of unified action, promoting the universal goal of year-round energy-conservation. The project asks participants to turn down their thermostats by 3 degrees and wear a sweater. This simple task, when performed collectively, allows for a significant reduction in energy usage.
If you wish to go above and beyond wearing a sweater and turning down your thermostat for this initiative, get others involved by organizing your own ugly sweater party on National Sweater Day. You may also speak to your professor, department head, or residence don about programming opportunities surrounding the day.
National Sweater Day is a chance for you to make a meaningful difference for the environment on an individual scale, and to contribute to the success of the initiative on a society-wide scale. Participate on February 17, 2011 and practice energy conservation with all of Canada.
For more information or to “sweater” your profile picture, check out facebook.com/wwfcanada
Additional information is also available at http://wwf.ca/takeaction/sweater_day/
The Magic Flute runs from January 29th to February 25th at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts at 145 Queen St. W.
The Canadian Opera Company began the new year with a production of Mozart’s The Magic Flute (You can read the COC’s synopsis of the story here.). By now, I’ve already had experience with Mozart’s operas, having watched the COC’s production of Idomeneo last season. I expected an evening of beautiful music, and I was not disappointed. The cast in general was quite decent, though not spectacular, although I will give a special mention to Aline Kutan, who played a very regal and vocally powerful Queen of the Night. Her arias were perhaps the highlight of the evening. Rodion Pogossov definitely deserves a special mention as well since his hilarious acting skills and playful voice were perfect for the silly character of Papageno.
The set for Act I was extremely interesting since it gave the impression of having a play within a play with some of the characters in the opera standing by as an audience, which was an absolutely fascinating concept. The sets for Act II were really well thought out because the set changes that happened during the scenes were absolutely creative. Kudos to set designer, Myung Hee Cho, who also did the costumes.
The costumes, on the other hand were interesting in that they definitely gave the audience an idea of the character’s personality, although the dominatrix, leather, Xena-goth costumes for the Queen of the Night and Ladies serving under the Queen were an eccentric choice. I found them quite a lot of fun, although I’m not so sure about the parents and teachers who were with their kids and students during the student dress rehearsal I attended. The best costumes, however, were the animal costumes. I think they were made with a paper-like material and the silhouettes and movements created by the animal heads attached to human bodies gave a wonderful effect. Prop-wise, the horse bicycles the three child spirits were very cool. I want one!
The only problem I have with the production was mostly Mozart and Emanuel Schikaneder’s (the librettist) fault. The plot of The Magic Flute is driven by misogyny with a generous dash of imperialist rhetoric. Continue reading “The Magic Flute – Lovely Music, Bad Plot”
Prestige (…or snobbery, depending on how you look at it) at its finest. Trinity College prides itself in having the highest academic standards, running secret societies, and feasting in Harry Potter-like dining halls. Seriously, what’s not to love? Despite quite possibly getting the worst rep from the student population, I’d like to say that I’m a proud Trin student! Judge away, dear friends but here’s a mini tour of my stomping grounds, the best college on campus 😉
My City Lives is an online platform that gives us the chance to capture and share our daily experiences around the city on video. Presented on an interactive map, these web stories show exactly where each video was filmed so you can learn more about the city based on the stories and experiences of your fellow citizens. To view the entire blogUT web series, click here.
It was electrifying. The sheer intensity of the energy and passion in the room permeated through the crowd as the final session of the conference came to a close. Allstream Center, Toronto. January 15th, 2010. Nearly 1500 people: politicians and members of parliament, thought leaders from Europe, Africa, and America, 19 delegates from four African countries working for various governments and organizations, businessmen and corporate leaders, development workers from diverse initiatives, and Canadian students. Students spanning all levels of education: undergraduate, masters, and PhD. Students spanning across disciplines: engineering, political science, economics, law, commerce, international relations, development studies… This was one special group of people. All brought together at this conference bound by a singular common interest: international development and poverty.
The title of the 2-day event: Kumvana. A word that in the Chichewa language (commonly spoken in parts of Malawi) means “unite so we may discuss and understand.” And that was exactly what this conference was. Multiple disciplines, multiple stakeholders, people who don’t interact on a day-to-day basis but play interlocking roles in the fabric of global society, all brought together in real, honest, pragmatic conversations about the dysfunctional development sector. And how we can change it.
The What and the Why
Put on by Engineers Without Borders Canada (EWB) – an organization I’ve been working with for nearly 3 years now, both here in Canada and in Ghana (West Africa) – Kumvana was an amalgamation of EWB’s 10 years of experience learning and growing in the international development sector. In honor of EWB’s 10th Anniversary, Kumvana was a bold step to bring together people who EWB believes should really be learning from and talking to each other.
After working, learning, and growing with EWB in the past couple of years, and especially after spending four months in Ghana in the past summer working with local government to improve public service access, I strongly believe that the siloed nature of how society is structured is hindering us from tackling some of the pressing problems the world faces today. One key example of this is the way departments are divided and specialized in the university education system. Globalization may be a buzz-word, but it doesn’t make it any less powerful. The social, economic, technological, and social systems of the world are so interconnected that they cannot be worked in isolation. Thus Engineers Without Borders is one organization that is really pushing interdisciplinary thinking, learning, and collaboration.
So… Where does U of T fit into all this?
EWB has an active chapter here at U of T that sent a sizable delegation of 28 students to attend the conference this year. Being one of the first arms of the organization, the U of T chapter has a large member base of students from engineering, political science, commerce, and arts and science. So no, EWB is not just for engineers! The chapter focuses on building members’ knowledge of the realities and complexities of international development. Through running workshops, providing students with leadership opportunities, asking critical questions, and working with faculty to incorporate global issues into core courses, we hope we are slowly building a new generation of multi-disciplinary problem-solvers. In addition, the chapter also has a focus on public outreach to the Canadian public, and working with Members of Parliament to advocate for improved Canadian foreign policy such that Canada’s international development programs are more beneficial to rural communities. There are also opportunities to work overseas with EWB, and the chapter generally sponsors two students to work in Africa every summer. Learn more about the U of T chapter at www.utoronto.ewb.ca, or by dropping by the office (GB 131), or email me at amirallana[AT]ewb[DOT]ca.
Some of the members of EWB's U of T chapter on the closing night of the conference.
The Bigger Picture
Looking more broadly, EWB started off in 2001 as a very small group of people: engineers with a preconception that a community-based approach to appropriate technology was an effective way to combat poverty and inequality. Over 10 years, the organization learned from its failures, questioned its approach, and asked tough critical questions that catapulted it to the forefront of the international development field.
Today, with 36 chapters across Canada and 4 strong sector teams working in Zambia, Malawi, Ghana, and Burkina Faso, EWB is a completely different entity. Working with partner governments and organizations in Africa, EWB is helping build the capacity of local institutions to serve rural communities. From public services such as education, water/sanitation programs, to business, entrepreneurship, and agricultural extension, EWB brings technical knowledge/expertise to strengthen systems in developing countries.
EWB Canada's Co-Founder Parker Mitchell addresses the delegation at EWB's 10th anniversary celebration, the closing gala of Kumvana. Photo Credit: Paul Blonde.
In Canada, EWB is pushing for practical changes in Canadian foreign aid practices, working with university curricula to bring globally-minded thinking and problem solving to the stagnating engineering discipline, and empowering Canadians to make smart, strategic choices that have a positive impact on poverty reduction.
EWB believes that innovation and dialogue is desperately needed to combat the inefficiencies that come with working in international development. One way EWB has been operating differently is the release of an annual Failure Report that outlines how EWB failed in the past year and what was learned to improve existing programs. This speaks to the nature of the organization, that is built on strong values and constant humility.
Kumvana had up to 17 different workshops, sessions, panel discussions, and talks occurring at any given time on January 14th and 15th. Topics ranged from agricultural business models to Canadian foreign policy to broader concepts such as systems thinking and taking projects to scale. There were round-tables and cross-disciplinary collaboration that I hope is just the beginning of longer-lasting partnerships.
Interested in learning more? Check out www.ewb.ca and www.conference2011.ewb.ca. Like I mentioned before, please free to email me in person at [email protected], or get involved with the U of T chapter of EWB by visiting www.utoronto.ewb.ca.
I’ll leave you with a quote from Rural Development: Putting the Last First, a book by internationally-known development expert Robert Chambers:
“A nutritionist may see malnutrition but not the seasonal indebtedness, the high cost of medical treatment, the distress sales of land, and the local power structure which generate it. A doctor may see infant mortality but not the declining real wages which drive mothers to desperation, still less the causes of those declining real wages. Visibility and specialization combine to show surface symptoms rather than deeper combinations of causes. The poor are little seen, and even less is the nature of their poverty understood.”
Loved it! Set on the French Riviera, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels is about two charming con-artists who woo their way into the hearts of rich, beautiful women. The enthusiastic cast was truly spectacular, charming and they were all absolutely perfect in their roles. Let’s not forget to mention the amazing musical ensemble and chorus who both did a splendid job of filling the room with excitement and delight. Having never heard of this musical until just prior to seeing it, I was kind of skeptical of how good it would be, but boy was I blown away. Right from the beginning the chorus had me hooked with their lovely dance number and wonderful voices. The choreography was in sync, intricate, and exciting.
Though it was a great ensemble effort, I must mention and praise the individual performances of the main cast. Firstly, I must give kudos and much of my adoration to Neil Silcox who played the Suave playboy, Laurence. He sort of reminded me of a younger, but more handsome, of course, version of John Cleese. He was truly amazing, so full of charm and wit. He made the crowd laugh with his over-the-top, pompous character who could do any accent if asked (English, Austrian, and Spanish were the only ones I heard but I’m sure he could do more). Next of course, I must mention his partner in crime Freddy played by the endearing and also very charismatic Evan Dowling. His character was the quintessential streets-smart, savvy young American. Continue reading “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels – A Must See!”
Natalie, this is beneath you. It baffles me. You’re an actress that is in contention and probably the most likely to receive the Best Actress Academy Award this year for your spectacular performance in Black Swan yet you choose to star in a romantic comedy (why?!?!?!)! I honestly expected this film to be somewhat decent just because Natalie Portman was in it. Mind you I am completely aware of the formulaic, cheesiness and predictable narrative of all romantic comedies but No Strings Attached is by far one of the worst I have ever seen.
In attempt to bolster the star power and popularity of the film, several guest appearances were made by celebrities such as Ludacris, Kevin Kline, and even the director of the film himself, Ivan Reitman. Despite their appearances and the starring roles of Portman and Kutcher, the film just failed to deliver. Portman and Kutcher had no chemistry because it lacked that sort of ease and authenticity that let’s say Barrymore and Long had in their film Going the Distance (albeit they were actually a couple at the time).
The film was raunchy – expected, predictable and uber cheesy – also expected, but it was also incredibly uncomfortable to watch at times. For instance, the very first sex scene took way too long and just the timing of it felt so awkward – not to say the audience should have been forewarned but it was definitely bizarre. In fact the whole film was a bit bizarre at times where in certain scenes, the banter would be too forced or unnecessarily dragged on for too long.
I’d say the only redeeming part of the film was the character Lucy, a small role played by Lake Bell. She was hilarious! Her character was so awkward and eager to please Kutcher’s character Adam that it was impossible not to instantly fall in love with her.
