Randy Pausch is a famous name in the world of technology. In particular, he has helped develop numerous new ways how computers and humans can interact, especially in the world of Virtual Reality (VR).
The university where Randy Pausch taught, Carnegie Mellon University, holds a regular lecture series called "The Last Lecture." It was designed to bring in world renowned academics to give a lecture based on this premise: "If you knew you were going to die, and you could only give one last lecture to your students, what would you say?"
Randy's presentation was "Achieving Your Childhood Dreams" is considered a classic, not only for building a life and a career, but it also holds deep lessons about business organizations.
Your assignment is to watch the entire length of Randy's "Last Lecture." You may access the You Tube presentation either HERE or by clicking on the link on the Class Blog Page. After watching The Last Lecture at least once, your assignment is to write a paper that answers the following questions DUE 8 June 2010:
Name the things he said he would not talk about.
Name four childhood dreams that he was able to achieve.
What are his lessons learned?
What were the two "head fakes" for his lecture?
Describe the difference between the environment of him working in the university and working at Disney?
Describe three things what Randy says about "Brick Walls"
Describe in detail the Brick Walls Randy experienced when trying to fly on NASA's "Vomit Comet"
How did Randy overcome the Brick Walls to work as an Imagineer?
What does Randy mean by "Bringing Something to the Table?"
What are lessons that Randy makes that are useful for business owners and managers to learn?
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
The Last Lecture
Every year, my Cuarto Classes have an assignment of watching "The Last Lecture" by Randy Pausch. Professor Pausch was an important person in the development of Virtual Reality computer programming from the 1990s through 2008.
The Last Lecture was a series of lectures at Carnegie Mellon University, which featured ditinguished people who were asked the following: If this were the last lecture you would make before you died, what would you lecture on? This particular lecture was very pointed, because Professor Pausch was dying of cancer at the time ha gave it. It is considered a classic about making and attaining dreams as well as being successful despite barriers in life.
Your assignment is to watch the Last Lecture in its entirety (just over one hour). On Tuesday, 8 June there will be a graded assignment and discussion based on the information from the lecture.
The Last Lecture was a series of lectures at Carnegie Mellon University, which featured ditinguished people who were asked the following: If this were the last lecture you would make before you died, what would you lecture on? This particular lecture was very pointed, because Professor Pausch was dying of cancer at the time ha gave it. It is considered a classic about making and attaining dreams as well as being successful despite barriers in life.
Your assignment is to watch the Last Lecture in its entirety (just over one hour). On Tuesday, 8 June there will be a graded assignment and discussion based on the information from the lecture.
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Getting Crushed
Haven't talked in a while and I haven't felt like it. I've run into a long losing streak online and I have watched my Internet poker funds melt away. In fact on Poker Stars, my funds now are under $10, and I am working in the depths of $0.01-0.02 NL.
The galling thing is, although the cards have been running bad for me, part of my trouble is I have let the losing streak get to me, so I have been playing bad. I've been making bad table decisions. I've been pushing too aggressively in too many thin situations. I've been bluffing into stupid situations where I have little chance of succeeding.
I need to tighten my belt and start playing like I can.
The galling thing is, although the cards have been running bad for me, part of my trouble is I have let the losing streak get to me, so I have been playing bad. I've been making bad table decisions. I've been pushing too aggressively in too many thin situations. I've been bluffing into stupid situations where I have little chance of succeeding.
I need to tighten my belt and start playing like I can.
Friday, September 25, 2009
2009 Investment Challenge
2009
Investment Contest Rules
1. The 2009 Investment Contest is an extra credit project for students taking Business. To compete, investing groups must officially register with the contest judge, Mr Evans. Winning teams will win a variety of prizes.
2. The contest will begin on September 28 as the earliest time a group may register. The competition begins on October 1 and will close December 10. Winners will be certified and announced by December 15.
3. Teams must register by submitting a formal, printed letter to Mr Evans. The letter must state the name of the team, the members of the team, as well as a short description of their investment goals. Teams must be between 2-6 members. Once accepted, each team will be issued a “Corporate Certificate” by the judge. Teams may register as early as September 28. The final date teams may register to compete is October 15.
4. Teams will be given an imaginary “Investment Account” beginning at $100,000 (USD). Each team may make investment choices once each week. Investments can be made in any investment vehicle that is easily bought and sold on a world marketplace, and have their prices and results tracked on one of the following financial websites: Yahoo Finance, Bloomberg.com, The Motley Fool, scottrade.com. Other websites may be used, provided they have been approved by Mr Evans. Investments can be in the stock, bonds or debentures of companies, debentures from governments, or investments in other investment vehicles such as commodities (gold, corn, oil).
5. To make an investment, teams will fill out an “Investment Order” to buy or sell their investment. The investment order will be on a form provided by Mr Evans. Information required will be: Name of Investment – Web/Market site where the investment price is tracked (Yahoo Finance, etc), amount in dollars or shares/units the team wants to buy. Investment orders must be turned in on the last day of each week (Normally Friday, except for holidays). The sale or purchase of investments will be made at the CLOSING price of the next business day (normally Monday, except for holidays). Note: The information on the Investment order must be detailed enough to complete the order. For example, if a company issues three types of stock (one ordinary and two preferred shares) the team must clearly designate which type of share they are buying. This can normally be done by listing the Market Code for that particular investment (easily found on the approved web sites).
6. Any money not invested by the team will be considered invested in a Money Market Fund, paying 1.5% APR on a weekly basis.
7. Mr Evans will track the results of teams investments on a weekly basis and will post the week-to-week results in the classroom #40.
8. PRIZES: There will be a number of prizes for the competitors of this contest. 100 Extra Credit Points will be distributed to the top performing teams. The distribution of the points will be based on the total number of teams and students participating. The exact formula to winning extra credit will be posted after October 15 when team entries are finished. A Private Pizza Party will be held for the top teams, details will be provided in December. All team members will receive official certificates showing their completion of the contest. There will also be prizes for best individual investment by a team, worst investment team, as well as others.
9. Mr Evans is the sole judge of this contest. His judgment is final on all matters.
Investment Contest Rules
1. The 2009 Investment Contest is an extra credit project for students taking Business. To compete, investing groups must officially register with the contest judge, Mr Evans. Winning teams will win a variety of prizes.
2. The contest will begin on September 28 as the earliest time a group may register. The competition begins on October 1 and will close December 10. Winners will be certified and announced by December 15.
3. Teams must register by submitting a formal, printed letter to Mr Evans. The letter must state the name of the team, the members of the team, as well as a short description of their investment goals. Teams must be between 2-6 members. Once accepted, each team will be issued a “Corporate Certificate” by the judge. Teams may register as early as September 28. The final date teams may register to compete is October 15.
4. Teams will be given an imaginary “Investment Account” beginning at $100,000 (USD). Each team may make investment choices once each week. Investments can be made in any investment vehicle that is easily bought and sold on a world marketplace, and have their prices and results tracked on one of the following financial websites: Yahoo Finance, Bloomberg.com, The Motley Fool, scottrade.com. Other websites may be used, provided they have been approved by Mr Evans. Investments can be in the stock, bonds or debentures of companies, debentures from governments, or investments in other investment vehicles such as commodities (gold, corn, oil).
5. To make an investment, teams will fill out an “Investment Order” to buy or sell their investment. The investment order will be on a form provided by Mr Evans. Information required will be: Name of Investment – Web/Market site where the investment price is tracked (Yahoo Finance, etc), amount in dollars or shares/units the team wants to buy. Investment orders must be turned in on the last day of each week (Normally Friday, except for holidays). The sale or purchase of investments will be made at the CLOSING price of the next business day (normally Monday, except for holidays). Note: The information on the Investment order must be detailed enough to complete the order. For example, if a company issues three types of stock (one ordinary and two preferred shares) the team must clearly designate which type of share they are buying. This can normally be done by listing the Market Code for that particular investment (easily found on the approved web sites).
6. Any money not invested by the team will be considered invested in a Money Market Fund, paying 1.5% APR on a weekly basis.
7. Mr Evans will track the results of teams investments on a weekly basis and will post the week-to-week results in the classroom #40.
8. PRIZES: There will be a number of prizes for the competitors of this contest. 100 Extra Credit Points will be distributed to the top performing teams. The distribution of the points will be based on the total number of teams and students participating. The exact formula to winning extra credit will be posted after October 15 when team entries are finished. A Private Pizza Party will be held for the top teams, details will be provided in December. All team members will receive official certificates showing their completion of the contest. There will also be prizes for best individual investment by a team, worst investment team, as well as others.
9. Mr Evans is the sole judge of this contest. His judgment is final on all matters.
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Back from Vacation!
May 25 and we are back from vacation! Remember- Group Research project proposals are due Monday. Congratulations! You had an extra week to work on them!
This week we will do some review and take our Bimestre tests, while getting started looking towards our 2d Bimestre projects. it should be a crazy week!
This week we will do some review and take our Bimestre tests, while getting started looking towards our 2d Bimestre projects. it should be a crazy week!
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Grade Reminders
Tuesday I will be sending academic notifications to parents who have promedios below 68. If you have not turned in any assignments, you must have them turned in by Monday to have a chance for them to be counted.
4to Curso Business Research Assignment - Business
Assignment:
You will work within groups to research into a proposed new business of your choice.
STEP ONE: Form a group of 3-5 students, and choose a business to research, including a name for the proposed business.
STEP TWO: Develop a formal Research Plan, and write a formal proposal for your activity. The Research Plan will be 300 words and must follow the Paper Writing Guidelines on the Course Blog www.cuartocursobusiness.blogspot.com and it must be typed or printed off a printer. The required headings will be:
BUSINESS
List your business name and the type of business that will be conducted.
BACKGROUND
A brief explanation of the type of business and the market it works in.
INDIVIDUAL RESPONSIBILITIES
Make a detailed explanation of the individual responsibilities of each group member. Review Unit 1.2 concerning new businesses, on areas that need to be considered when starting a new business. Each member of the group is individually responsible for writing two pages of the final report, covering two separate concerns.
LIMITATIONS
This will be a brief listing of issues that might make it difficult to complete your project, including lack of time, resources or access to information, and measures you will take to overcome the limitations.
TIME LINE
You will plan for completing the project in a series of steps, and provide times and dates for those actions to be completed. For example:
ACTION DATE STARTED DATE COMPLETED
Write Research Proposal May 12 May 18
Instructor Approves Research Proposal NA 20
Conduct Research May 25 June 28
Please note: This is not a complete example. The Time Line you develop should be much more extensive than this, and should include all steps and tasks to complete your research project, including writing and rewriting reports, consulting with teachers, etc.
STEP THREE: Conduct your research individually and as a group.
STEP FOUR: Analyze the results of your research.
STEP FIVE: Complete a Research Report. This will be a formal report of the results of your research. It will be as long as needed, with two pages for each student of written information. The type will be Times New Roman 12-point or Courier 10-point, with 1” borders and 1.5 line spacing.
The headings include:
BUSINESS
List your business name and the type of business that will be conducted.
BACKGROUND
A brief explanation of the type of business and the market it works in.
INDIVIDUAL RESPONSIBILITIES
Make a detailed explanation of the individual responsibilities of each group member. Review Unit 1.2 concerning new businesses, on areas that need to be considered when starting a new business. Each member of the group is individually responsible for writing two pages of the final report, covering two separate concerns.
LIMITATIONS
This will be a brief listing of issues that might make it difficult to complete your project, including lack of time, resources or access to information, and measures you will take to overcome the limitations.
TIME LINE
You will plan for completing the project in a series of steps, and provide times and dates for those actions to be completed. For example:
ACTION DATE STARTED DATE COMPLETED
Write Research Proposal May 12 May 18
Instructor Approves Research Proposal NA 20
Conduct Research May 25 June 28
Please note: This is not a complete example. The Time Line you develop should be much more extensive than this, and should include all steps and tasks to complete your research project, including writing and rewriting reports, consulting with teachers, etc.
(ALSO NOTE: This is a repeat of your original Research Proposal, although it should be modified to reflect changes you may have made during your project, such as changes in your research, or different dates for your completed tasks. IT DOES NOT COUNT TOWARDS YOUR WRITING REQUIREMENT FOR THIS PAPER.)
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
This is a short summary of 100-200 words that gives a complete description of your project, including how you conducted your survey and your results and conclusions. This section does not count for the writing requirement for this project.
RESULTS
This is a series of two-page writings made by each student to communicate the results of their research within the areas they are individually responsible for, including how those areas affect their business, and how the proposed business will meet those requirements and issues.
CONCLUSION
This is a short (100-200 words) section that should summarize your business, research about the bsuienss, and make a judgment as to whether the business is viable (potentially profitable and whorthwhile to continue) or not.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
This is a complete listing of all resources you used for your research, including a list of all documents, web pages and other sources you used. All sources must be listed according to APA or MLA standards.
APPENDIX
In this section you will attach copies of your survey question plan, as well as the worksheets used for all of your survey interviews.
TIMELINE FOR THIS PROJECT
ACTION DUE DATE
Complete Research Proposal 18 May 2009
Complete Survey Questions 10 June 2009
Complete Research 8 July 2009
Complete 1st draft of Final Report 16 July 2009
Complete Final Draft of Final Report 29 July 2009
The following student actions will result in grades for marketing class:
1. Finalize Business with the instructor (Complete/Not Complete)
2. Research Proposal (100 points possible)
3. 1st Draft research Report (Complete/Not Complete)
4. Final Draft Research Report (200 points possible)
You will work within groups to research into a proposed new business of your choice.
STEP ONE: Form a group of 3-5 students, and choose a business to research, including a name for the proposed business.
STEP TWO: Develop a formal Research Plan, and write a formal proposal for your activity. The Research Plan will be 300 words and must follow the Paper Writing Guidelines on the Course Blog www.cuartocursobusiness.blogspot.com and it must be typed or printed off a printer. The required headings will be:
BUSINESS
List your business name and the type of business that will be conducted.
BACKGROUND
A brief explanation of the type of business and the market it works in.
INDIVIDUAL RESPONSIBILITIES
Make a detailed explanation of the individual responsibilities of each group member. Review Unit 1.2 concerning new businesses, on areas that need to be considered when starting a new business. Each member of the group is individually responsible for writing two pages of the final report, covering two separate concerns.
LIMITATIONS
This will be a brief listing of issues that might make it difficult to complete your project, including lack of time, resources or access to information, and measures you will take to overcome the limitations.
TIME LINE
You will plan for completing the project in a series of steps, and provide times and dates for those actions to be completed. For example:
ACTION DATE STARTED DATE COMPLETED
Write Research Proposal May 12 May 18
Instructor Approves Research Proposal NA 20
Conduct Research May 25 June 28
Please note: This is not a complete example. The Time Line you develop should be much more extensive than this, and should include all steps and tasks to complete your research project, including writing and rewriting reports, consulting with teachers, etc.
STEP THREE: Conduct your research individually and as a group.
STEP FOUR: Analyze the results of your research.
STEP FIVE: Complete a Research Report. This will be a formal report of the results of your research. It will be as long as needed, with two pages for each student of written information. The type will be Times New Roman 12-point or Courier 10-point, with 1” borders and 1.5 line spacing.
The headings include:
BUSINESS
List your business name and the type of business that will be conducted.
BACKGROUND
A brief explanation of the type of business and the market it works in.
INDIVIDUAL RESPONSIBILITIES
Make a detailed explanation of the individual responsibilities of each group member. Review Unit 1.2 concerning new businesses, on areas that need to be considered when starting a new business. Each member of the group is individually responsible for writing two pages of the final report, covering two separate concerns.
LIMITATIONS
This will be a brief listing of issues that might make it difficult to complete your project, including lack of time, resources or access to information, and measures you will take to overcome the limitations.
TIME LINE
You will plan for completing the project in a series of steps, and provide times and dates for those actions to be completed. For example:
ACTION DATE STARTED DATE COMPLETED
Write Research Proposal May 12 May 18
Instructor Approves Research Proposal NA 20
Conduct Research May 25 June 28
Please note: This is not a complete example. The Time Line you develop should be much more extensive than this, and should include all steps and tasks to complete your research project, including writing and rewriting reports, consulting with teachers, etc.
(ALSO NOTE: This is a repeat of your original Research Proposal, although it should be modified to reflect changes you may have made during your project, such as changes in your research, or different dates for your completed tasks. IT DOES NOT COUNT TOWARDS YOUR WRITING REQUIREMENT FOR THIS PAPER.)
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
This is a short summary of 100-200 words that gives a complete description of your project, including how you conducted your survey and your results and conclusions. This section does not count for the writing requirement for this project.
RESULTS
This is a series of two-page writings made by each student to communicate the results of their research within the areas they are individually responsible for, including how those areas affect their business, and how the proposed business will meet those requirements and issues.
CONCLUSION
This is a short (100-200 words) section that should summarize your business, research about the bsuienss, and make a judgment as to whether the business is viable (potentially profitable and whorthwhile to continue) or not.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
This is a complete listing of all resources you used for your research, including a list of all documents, web pages and other sources you used. All sources must be listed according to APA or MLA standards.
APPENDIX
In this section you will attach copies of your survey question plan, as well as the worksheets used for all of your survey interviews.
TIMELINE FOR THIS PROJECT
ACTION DUE DATE
Complete Research Proposal 18 May 2009
Complete Survey Questions 10 June 2009
Complete Research 8 July 2009
Complete 1st draft of Final Report 16 July 2009
Complete Final Draft of Final Report 29 July 2009
The following student actions will result in grades for marketing class:
1. Finalize Business with the instructor (Complete/Not Complete)
2. Research Proposal (100 points possible)
3. 1st Draft research Report (Complete/Not Complete)
4. Final Draft Research Report (200 points possible)
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