3 questions

What kind of topics cannot be edited in Wiki?

Is there any tool, like a citation machine that converts a bibliographic description into Wiki reference?

Are there any useful topics that people need for their general knowledge that are not edited in Wikipedia yet?

Farragut Houses Post Visit Reflection

Today, November 2nd, we went to take a final look at the Farragut Houses. Besides our own observations, we had the opportunity to talk to a NYCHA representative. We were able to ask questions and listen to her comments. We were allowed to enter the lobby of one of the buildings.

The lobby had postings with a plethora of activities offered to the children who live in these projects. They were offered karate classes, after school activities, lab tutoring, dancing, English as a Second Language (ESL) classes, and lots of other activities.

The site visit was fruitful indeed. We took new pictures and draw new sketches. We were informed by Ms. Cyriaca Decailei, the NYCHA representative that the buildings require lots of repairing. This site visit was overall the most informative of all.

Farragut Houses Pre Site Visit Reflection

Today we visit the Farragut Houses for the last time. We need to pay very close attention to details in order to write a good report. Also, we will take new pictures and draw new sketches. In addition, we will have the opportunity to meet a NYCHA representative. It is a relief to think we meet in an intersection I saw before: Plymouth and Hudson. I hope to see details that I missed in my previous visits. I also hope to learn new things from the NYCHA representative who will be there today. I like asking questions and I expect him to welcome them. I am looking forward to meeting everybody today at 10:00 am.

5 Questions

  1. Redefine your topic as narrowly as possible.

Our project assignment consists of analyzing the demographic in Vinegar Hills focusing on the area where the Farragut Houses are located. In our analysis we include: number of the population, distribution of income, age, gender, religion.

  1. What have you learned about the topic? Be sure you can document & cite sources.

So far, I learned that the population in this area is diverse and the income is also diverse.

  1. What do you want to say about the topic?

This topic is very interesting.

  1. What do you still need to do/know/research to accomplish #3?

We need to go back in time more to continue our research.

  1. What is your game plan?

Our plan is to start our demographic analysis with the present and go back in time as much as we can in order to provide information regarding the population before the Farragut Houses were built.

Brooklyn Public Library Post Visit Reflection

 

Brooklyn Public Library visit today was very fruitful. Map research appeared easier and faster. I was impressed of the book collection room on the second floor. It was interesting to note that the collection included books older than a hundred years.

Another notable thing was the building itself. It looks majestic. The metal statues in front creates an atmosphere of antiquity. This atmosphere is maintained inside the Collection Room. It was really remarkable to see books published in early eighteen hundreds. I am looking forward to visiting our next objective.

Brooklyn Public Library Previsit Reflection

Most of us chose this class as an elective as we considered it would be a new experience. I like going to new places and learning new thinks. Today’s visit is a new site visit experience since I never went to Brooklyn Public Library before. I hope to find lots of new materials for my project portion, which is focused on demographics. I will leave my house very early because I am not familiar with the neighborhood.

By doing a very brief online research, I learned the building of this institution has a unique construction. Located at 10 Grand Army Plaza, it seems a little bit more difficult to reach that NYPL last week. I am looking forward to seeing my new site report today at 10:00 am.

NYPL post visit reflection

Today our class met at New York Public Library in room 215 to visualize a map collection. It was very impressive to learn that the collection includes maps as old as 1776. Although these precious sources of information are a great benefit for historical studies, some of them cannot be digitalized to be accessed online. The librarian informed us that the maps older than 1920 are not and cannot be digitalized.

We were shown map sheets and atlases made from 1776 to nowadays. Most maps we were able to visualize in room 215 were carefully arranged with book marks for us to study our area of interest: Vinegar Hills. One atlas in particular dated 1941 had an introductive word that showed the plan of the City of New York to demolish buildings on Fulton Street.

Today’s visit was very instructive. I was able to learn how to access maps online. I also got a library card today. It was a very easy and fast process. In less than five minutes, I received my card. The librarian guided me in the electronic study of maps and explained me this is a difficult research process. He e-mailed me a link for a quicker access.

http://maps.nypl.org/warper/maps/17423#Export_tab