Hello world!

On Tuesday my Digital History class discussed the future.  The discussion mainly focused on the difference books versus the Internet have had on learning and what we might expect as we advance in the digital age.  What I found the most interesting in this discussion was when we discuss the Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) and their potential effect on the current higher education system in addition to AP, IB, and competency test alternative credit options for students that rob institutions of  tuition fees.  What really struck me was when the professor mentioned that he could picture a near future where universities only taught juniors and seniors due to the increased use of such alternative methods of receiving undergrad credits.  This was an idea that I should have considered given my own acquisition of 21 college credits while in high school.  The only thing I would question would be the university’s passive acceptance of this phenomenon.  I doubt that the system will simply step aside while a large percentage of its income is simply removed in addition to the already significant decrease in state funding.

On Monday we received our final exam project to begin considering the location our research will focus on.  I have been a Virginia resident for my entire life and have had very easy access to the monuments and museums scattered around Washington D.C.  Though I’m sure each of those monuments has a compelling history, I would prefer to see something with which I have no prior experience.  Someplace I have not visited despite it’s relative proximity is the Pope Leighey House. What I would be interested in regarding the house could include perhaps Frank Lloyd Wright’s response to the fact that after the Pope’s begged him to build a house he didn’t really want to build that they couldn’t really afford in the first place they still moved after only six short years in a home that supposedly brought both material and spiritual happiness to the couple.  I would also curious as to how many of the innovations found in the house have been adapted and are still used in modern houses today.  Lastly, the Pope Leighey house is not the only one of its kind built.  I am interested to learn what has become of the other Usonian homes.