Category Archives: Blog

CmapTools in the Cloud (yay!)

Posted on by
Comment

Have I been waiting for this to happen…I’ve been using the freely available desktop version of CmapTools for years, extolling the virtues of this classic concept mapping tool, and now the good folks at the Florida Institute of Human & Machine Cognition (IHMC) have unveiled Cmap Cloud.

Concept maps are graphical representations of knowledge – think brainstorming or mind mapping but a little more structured. They usually start with a focus question and run hierarchically, demonstrating the relationships between concepts. One of the great things about CmapTools is that when you connect two concepts together you are prompted to add a linking phrase to define the relationship. Rather than just typing [pie]–[cherry], you might specify [pie]-can be-[cherry]. It turns out that this is not the easiest thing to do. We can write reams of text on a topic but at the same time get rather stuck mapping it out. In this way, concept maps demonstrate our knowledge of a subject area and reveal misconceptions. When we add new information to maps, we build connections to what we already know and meaningful learning can occur. Concept maps can also be used in groups to reach a shared understanding of the tasks at hand, with the added bonus that concepts in CmapTools can have resources attached to them. If you haven’t yet taken the time to explore the software, I invite you to try today and get in touch with me if you have questions.

Back to the Cloud. The desktop version allows you to save concept maps on a public server and create a website for sharing – amazing – but with the advent of the Cmap Cloud, you can also save your maps there and edit them online. I have been using it for a couple of days now and it can be a little slow at times, but many of the features are there. The nice part is that you can make friends with other Cmappers and share folders to work on projects together.

IHMC also have a new CmapTools for iPad. It is free to download but there is an in-app purchase to be able to export maps and sync them with the Cmap Cloud. I’ll be spending some time with it so look for my review on our new mobile apps blog.

Welcome Aleiah!

Posted on by
Comment

aleiah closeup picture

I would like to introduce a new student blogger to the Turret. Her name is Aleiah and she is a student in “CCOM 206 – Communication in Engineering” at McGill this semester. The course gives students an opportunity to develop their writing skills through various types of writing including a research paper, a cover letter, and a business proposal. She is a 3rd year student in Mechanical Engineering who is interested in aerospace and wants to works in aircraft design. She is originally from Winnipeg. Welcome to the Turret Aleiah! We look forward to having your perspective as a McGill engineering student added to the blog!

3-Day Dissertation Writing Retreat

Posted on by
Comment

Nov 10, 11, and 12; 9am-4pm

Need to carve out dedicated time to stay on track with your dissertation?  Struggling with writing blocks?  Think you might benefit from consults with writing tutors, librarians and others to help you reflect on and strengthen your work?  Apply now for a 3-day dissertation writing retreat.  Limited spaces available!

Raspberry Pi’s and Arduinos come to Schulich

Posted on by
Comment

Launch of Raspberry Pi and Arduino lending program at Schulich - 21 Sept 2015We had a lot of fun this morning at Schulich launching our new Raspberry Pi and Arduino lending programme! These devices are two types of credit-card sized computer which are developing a rapidly growing following due to the ways they can be incorporated into a wide range of projects.

IMG_2108Schulich will start lending these items out later this week, for a loan period of two weeks, and will be monitoring the service over the next few weeks – the kits will be available on a first-come, first-served basis like all other library materials.  We’ll also be lending out a robotics unit and a wearable computing device.  Please come to the Schulich loans desk if you’d like to borrow a kit.

We’d love to hear about the creative ways these are used by the McGill community!  If you take out a kit, please spare us two minutes to give us your feedback using this form, and consider sending pictures of your project.

Get your knit on at Schulich!

Posted on by
Comment

Knit knacks

Feeling stressed? Now you can stitch away your cares at Schulich Library. The Schulich Knit Knacks bin of knitting supplies is located by the Wendy Patrick Collection on the main floor. Take yarn, leave yarn. Bring your own needles, donate old needles, or borrow ours.

Happy knitting!

Science Literacy Week: Register today

Posted on by
Comment

At Schulich Library we ♥ science and we have created an amazing lineup of events to share our love of science with you. This year we are participating in Science Literacy Week and it is only one week away: September 21st – 27th.

I invite you to visit our guide to Science Literacy Week @ McGill, where you will find info on exhibits and events organized by the Library and the Redpath Museum.

There are so many events scheduled that I will let the list speak for itself:

Register today!

Sprint in to the Library!

Posted on by
Comment

McGill Library SprintThe McGill Library Sprint is a new interactive game and self-guided tour. Choose between the Schulich Library and the Humanities and Social Sciences Library and answer some challenging questions.

Prizes include a Fitbit Flex and McGill Bookstore gift certificates.

We had a lot of fun putting together the questions for Schulich Library and we hope that you have as much fun playing!

Want to take a scheduled tour around Schulich Library? We have those too! Take a look at the list of upcoming tours and MyLibrary introductory workshops. Tours and workshops are also being offered in Mandarin Chinese and Persian.

Science on Youtube

Posted on by
Comment

fullscreen-capture-1142012-15243-am

 

With the new academic year comes new projects, new papers, and the need for new distractions! Sometimes you just need to procrastinate and you might as well make it educational and fun! I myself have spent many an hour, okay maybe two, on Youtube watching an endless rotation of mischievous kitten videos. When those get old I like to turn to some more informative content. If you’re like me then check out the list below. These channels offer great information in succinct clips, perfect for marathoning when you have that paper due in a couple hours!

Happy Watching!

https://www.youtube.com/user/scishow

https://www.youtube.com/user/thebrainscoop

https://www.youtube.com/user/crashcourse

https://www.youtube.com/user/minutephysics

https://www.youtube.com/user/periodicvideos

 

Puzzle Corner: Materials Engineers for the win!

Posted on by
Comment

Thank you to everyone involved in completing our first-ever Puzzle Corner puzzle at Schulich Library!

puzzle-small

A special congratulations to the Materials Engineers who completed the 500-piece puppy puzzler – and left a note to prove it.

puzzle-note-smallCheck out a new puzzle next week at Puzzle Corner, behind the Wendy Patrick collection at the Schulich Library of Science and Engineering.

An alternative hive of activity at the Schulich Library

Posted on by
Comment

IMG_9328Most visitors to the Schulich Library are probably unaware that there are two thriving beehives on the roof of our building, maintained by the Urban Beekeeping Collective at Santropol Roulant of which I am a member.

IMG_9325Santropol Roulant is a local charity whose aim is to “…use food as a vehicle to break social and economic isolation between generations and cultures”. The Beekeeping Collective works towards this goal by promoting and fostering urban beekeeping, and by educating Montrealers about the importance of pollinators to the source of our food.

Collective members make regular visits to the hives to check on their health (these pictures are from last Sunday’s visit) – as well as to prevent uncontrolled swarming!  The good news is that both hives are doing very well and we’re quietly hopeful for a bumper crop of urban honey as Summer progresses.