Used Textbooks

Posted by admin on September 15th, 2008

Short film was made by a student team at the University of Alberta in Edmonton for SellMyTextbooks.org. Shows the pain we all feel when selling used books… SellMyTextbooks.org is a site that allows students to sell used textbooks across North America. You can look up prices online, post in the free classifieds site, or sign up your books for BuyBack Alerts (they email you when they’re buying your books!). Enjoy! :)

Duration : 0:0:59

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Beijing University of Technology - Geng Dan College (Part 3)

Posted by admin on September 13th, 2008

Third (and final) part of the wonderful teaching experience at the Geng Dan College (full Chinese name: 北京工业大学耿丹学院). Eventually I got off with the school not being a school but a mere diploma mill, bought a flight tiket, and left.

The 6 months [not working] here did allow me to see a huge chunk of China, but I am still unable to wrap my head around how insanely lazy and spoiled my students were.
It was a very interesting experience, but totally unnecessary.

Have a good day!

MORE DETAIL

Hi hi!

Obviously you care more than the average viewer because you are reading… So here is some more detail.

Some people replied to this video mentioning “youthful rebellion” and the like. The rebellion argument cannot stand. If someone is interested in rebelling, please leave the classroom. That’s it.

I started the course with textbooks I was given by the dean. They are actually an advanced coursebook, and the dean assured me that their English comprehension level is sufficient. That turned out to be less than true half the time, and is a failure of the school to effectively administer tests and determine who can be in which level.

A few weeks into the semester, after not having any sort of response from the students, I dropped the textbooks and started introducing more general and easier topics. eg.: “would you like an exciting or boring job? why?” No response, even when led into it. I would give them word lists and ask them to use the words to explain their stance. Nothing. Literally , no response.

I tried role playing. So in a lesson about “what makes a good policeman”, I had one student act as a cop, and another as a robber. They did nothing. Didn’t want to talk. Didn’t want to do anything. After class the students went to the dean and told her that my classes are boring (huh!?!?!?!?! acting out robber and cop is boring? that’s a full opportunity for laughs and jokes…) AND some said that I was crazy because “why are we learning about robbers”?

They are spoiled little rich kids, not adults. They expect to be entertained, not trained. They want fun, no work. Jesus Christ, I cannot express that enough.

After that we started watching movies. James Bond, Bourne Identity, Lord of War. Typical fun stuff for Chinese boys and girls. Guns and action. The movies were a great hit, UNTIL I asked them to tell me “what does so and so do?” “who is this?’ “who is that?”. Silence.

Movie worksheet? Wouldnt even read it after I filled in the blanks.

So I just decided to go with the original diagnosis that I am dealing with lazy stupid children. I didnt sign up for special education, I signed up for university teaching.

The University charges parents money. Everyone who pays - passes. I heard this really stupid opinion MANY times in China: “a good university has no failures, because they have good teachers who do their job right”. True in a perfect world. In reality, many schools in China stop failing students because they want their enrollment to go up. This is one of the stupidest processes I have ever heard of my life. Education is no longer education.

In fact, Chinese teachers at the English Dept wouldnt fail students AT ANY POINT, because the dean would come down hard on them for being “bad teachers”. That’s not at all entertaining the possibility that the students are not doing their part.

A good university motivates the students by grading, and tests them to make sure they are performing well. At Geng Dan, neither were there, as no matter what the students did, they got the diploma.

Please do go to my Back to China (Part 8) video, in there in about middle of the vid you will find scenes from a different school, the Heng Shui Highschool where I spent 2002 and 2003. Totally different experience, and it is a HIGHSCHOOL! Everyone is interested in learning, asking/answering questions, repeating answers, doing work, and having fun.

That “university” is one of those things that have to be seen and experienced to be believed.

Duration : 0:9:59

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UT Student Discount Handbook Distribution- 3

Posted by admin on September 12th, 2008

Handing out Student Discount Handbooks at 24th Street and Guadalupe across from the University of Texas at Austin campus

Duration : 0:0:23

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DUNCAN MCKAY FOR SYDNEY UNIVERSITY SENATE 07′

Posted by admin on September 11th, 2008

It’s about time Sydney University provided you with the services and facilities that you’re paying for!

•Quality of Teaching
Small Class sizes, Text Book Concessions for all Students, Improved Library and Computing Resources, Expansion of the Equity Scholarship Scheme for Disadvantaged and Indigenous Students.

•Student Facilities
Free Internet and Improved Wireless Coverage, Cheap Parking, Cheap Gym Membership, Improved Food Quality and Variety on Campus.

•Accessible Representation
Vocal Support for Undergraduates; let your concerns be heard by the Vice Chancellor Gavin Brown. Assistance in Academic Appeals and Disciplinary Procedures.

•Upping the Standards
Ensure that your University and your Degree is regarded as World Class. A review into the Special Appeals Process and greater transperecy with subject marking and assesment review to ensure fairness and consistency.

For too long student politicians have been out-of-touch with everyday students, let’s get student issues back on the agenda.

* “邓肯是我认识的最可靠的人之一!” *

PLEASE FILL YOUR BALLOT IN AS FOLLOWS:

MCKAY, DUNCAN [1]
BATEMAN, PAT [2]

AND MAIL IT OFF AS PER INSTRUCTION

OR BRING TO CARSLAW STUDENT CENTRE

Feel free to contact me at mckay4senate@gmail.com with your suggestions.

Duration : 0:2:51

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B4B Attempts to Save Students

Posted by admin on September 11th, 2008

Sell Textbooks to Bucks4Books in Salt Lake City for more cash on the spot. Skip the lines and skip the hassle! Sell Used College Textbooks at the end of every semester at our new store right up from the Pie Pizzeria.

This was a piece done by KSL5 in Salt Lake City after the last bookstore “Beat the Bookstore” shut down and ripped off students. Bucks4Books attempts to regain students trust by offering cash for books when they sell their textbooks back.

for more information visit:
http://www.bucks4books.com

Duration : 0:2:23

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