bobgian@psuvax.UUCP (Bob Giansiracusa) (03/04/84)
The "Netwide AI and Mysticism" course I had hoped to offer to all interested people has become the victim of my overenthusiam and the students' underenthusiasm. The term here is half over, and student energies and motivations are YET to rise to the occasion. I have tried my best, but (aside from a very select and wonderful few) Penn State students just do not have what it takes to float such a course. I am spending most of my time just trying to make sure they learn SOMETHING in the course. The inspiration of a student-initiated and student-driven course is gone. My apologies to ALL who wrote and offered useful comments and advice. My special thanks to all who mailed or posted material which has been useful in course handouts. I WILL try this again!! I may give up on the average Penn State student, but I WON'T give up on good ideas. I will be moving soon to another institution -- one which EXPLICITLY encourages innovative approaches to learning, one which EXPLICITLY appeals to highly self-motivated students. We shall try again!! In the meantime, the "Netwide AI course" is officially disbanned. Those students here who DO have the insight, desire, and maturity to carry it on may do so via their own postings to net.ai. (Nothing I could do or WANT to do would ever stop them!) To them all, I say "You are the hope for the world." To the others, I say "Please don't stand in our way." -- Bob "disappointed, but ever hopeful" Gian... ---- Bob Giansiracusa (Dept of Computer Science, Penn State Univ, 814-865-9507) Arpa: bobgian%PSUVAX1.BITNET@Berkeley Bitnet: bobgian@PSUVAX1.BITNET CSnet: bobgian@penn-state.CSNET UUCP: bobgian@psuvax.UUCP -or- allegra!psuvax!bobgian USnail: 333 Whitmore Lab, Penn State Univ, University Park, PA 16802