1. It’s your key into the world of private school: If you can get into the right high school, you have a much better chance of getting into the right Ivy League school, many parents believe, and you can’t get into the right high school if you didn’t go to the right elementary school. A New York Magazine article points to some convincing statistics: Hunter College Elementary School students who make it in as kindergartners (it’s extremely competitive) and last through 3rd grade gain automatic acceptance into the high school. "Since 2002," the article explains, "at least 25 percent of Hunter’s graduating classes have been admitted to Ivy League schools," which is why parents are so obsessed with securing their kids’ future early on.
2. Admissions consultants make a killing: Amanda Uhry, an admissions consultant in New York City referenced for a story on Bloomberg.com, charged families $15,000 in 2008 to help their kids get into kindergarten.
3. Nursery schools matter: Some admissions officers actually go to the trouble to visit the preschools of the children who are applying to the kindergarten to watch them in action. Others seem to require that their applicants attended the "right" nursery school and ask parents to submit that information with other paperwork.
4. There’s a standardized test: New York Magazine recently published a story about the city’s exclusive kindergartens, explaining that many of the elite private schools require prospectives to take the ERB intelligence test to get in — even at the kindergarten level. Four-year olds study for months, and some parents even pay for assessment sessions just to find out if their child needs a tutor to prepare for the test. Many New York City-area elementary schools won’t even consider children who score below the top three percent.
5. Applications at some schools are barely looked at unless they’re submitted within the first couple of days: Forget the race to the top: you’ve got to be first, too. In New York City, some of the top kindergartens won’t even look at applications if they aren’t filled out and turned back in just days after they’re made available.
6. Application strategy starts at birth…or before: Parents who are truly serious — or crazy — start competing when their children are really still just infants, researching schools, saving for the high costs, and strategizing for the eventual application process.
7. Student candidates audition in play groups: TIME explains the application process at an elite San Francisco kindergarten, which is typical of many other prominent schools. After a parent-headmaster meeting, tour of the school, and a private meeting with the student, the prospective kindergartner has to be watched as he or she participates in an audition-like playgroup. What are they watched for? "Somebody who is compatible with our philosophy of education," according the San Francisco school’s assistant headmaster.
8. It’s not just American schools: This summer, parents in China camped out for days so that their little ones would have a chance to attend the Changping District Industry Kindergarten, a state-run school. Parents prepare their nursery school-aged children for months so that they can ace the interviews for the state-run schools, which charge tuition, and research donations, although the parents have to sign a piece of paper saying that the donation was voluntary.
9. Legacies have already started: Most families don’t encounter legacies until magnet high school, college or even fraternities and sororities once their kids get into college. But some New York City kindergartens leave spots open for "legacy kids," or kids whose older siblings or even other relatives graduated from the kindergarten.
10. "It usually all works out": A TLC documentary entitled "Getting In … Kindergarten" tracked the insane process of competing against hundreds or 1,000-plus kids for fewerthan 100 spots. Surprisingly, all the families in the show found that whether or not they got in, they were happy. In fact, families who were rejected eventually realized the schools they thought they wanted to get into weren’t a good fit anyway. In the end, a former headmaster for such a school pointed out "it usually all works out."

Classics New and Old

This sampling of stories from past centuries to present day is a good way to get your feet wet with comic novels.

1. Catch-22, Joseph Heller: One of the all-time classic war satires. The novel is quick-witted, rapidly paced, and strikes the perfect balance between freewheeling and madcap. Plus its title entered the cultural lexicon.
2. A Confederacy of Dunces, John Kennedy Toole: Ignatius J. Reilly is one of the classic heroes of 20th century literary humor, and this energetic novel has become beloved by many since its 1980 publication. Tragically, the author committed suicide in 1969, depriving readers of his unique voice.
3. Wonder Boys, Michael Chabon: Michael Chabon’s sophomore novel is a fantastically realized comedy about an aging literary professor struggling to complete a magnum opus getting longer by the day. Hilarious story, realistic characters.
4. Breakfast of Champions, Kurt Vonnegut: Kurt Vonnegut is a powerhouse of invention and satire, and this darkly comic look at 20th century America is one of his best.
5. Don Quixote, Miguel de Cervantes: This classic comedy (or tragicomedy) is one of the forerunners of the modern novel, and its heroic, loony knight has captivated and entertained readers for centuries.
6. Letters From the Earth, Mark Twain: Mark Twain’s hilarious, scathing skewering of American culture is just as true today as it was when he wrote it. The book was published posthumously in 1962 and is well worth seeking out.
7. Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas: A Savage Journey to the Heart of the American Dream, Hunter S. Thompson: A novel based on the author’s own drug-fueled adventures, Fear and Loathing was a highpoint for Thompson, who changed the face of journalism and storytelling with his wild narratives.
8. V., Thomas Pynchon: A hilarious, challenging book from one of the sharpest minds of the 20th century. Definitely worth checking out.
9. Auntie Mame, Patrick Dennis: Patrick Dennis used his childhood as inspiration for this comedic gem about a young boy growing up in the care of his eccentric aunt.

Science-fiction and Fantasy

These genre-based tales spoof the darker, denser fantasy works that came before.

10. The Color of Magic, Terry Pratchett: Terry Pratchett’s sprawling Discworld series started with this novel about a talentless wizard and his various misadventures.
11. The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, Douglas Adams: One of the most enduring, endearing entries in the genre, with a sense of humor that inspired countless geeks to keep reading. Not to be missed.
12. Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch, Author: A wry, hilarious supernatural novel that unites Terry Pratchett with comic book author Neil Gaiman.
13. Soon I Will Be Invincible, Austin Grossman: A sharply observed look at what modern superheroes would be like in the real world. Think "Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog."
14. Playing for Keeps, Mur Lafferty: Another heroes-are-real story, this one about how lower rated superheroes band together to save the day.

Fractured Love Stories

These novels offer hilarious takes on the pitfalls of modern relationships.

15. Bridget Jones’s Diary, Helen Fielding: A modern classic in the "chick lit" field and the inspiration for a movie series, this warm comic novel offers sharp takes on dating and love.
16. High Fidelity, Nick Hornby: Nick Hornby writes about men like no one else, and his tale of a music-obsessed record store owner trying to sort out his romantic troubles is one of the author’s best.
17. Was It Something I Said?, Valerie Block: Valerie Block’s debut novel is an entertaining and accurate look at what it means to be single in New York, with all the ups and downs that come with it.
18. This Is Where I Leave You, Jonathan Tropper: By turns outrageous and poignant, this comic novel from Jonathan Tropper explores the meaning of family in wonderful ways.

American Life

From families to sports to American history, these novels are uproarious tales rooted in our world.

1. Big Trouble, Dave Barry: Dave Barry isn’t just a humor columnist, but a gifted comic novelist, as Big Trouble proves with ease. His debut novel is a frothy mix of humor and crime.
2. A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius, Dave Eggers: Dave Eggers’ autobiographical novel deals with sad topics (death, depression) in hilarious and hopeful ways.
3. Thank You for Smoking, Christopher Buckley: The basis for the movie of the same name, Christopher Buckley’s novel about a PR man for a tobacco company is a riotous look at consumer culture.
4. The Stupidest Angel: A Heartwarming Tale of Christmas Terror, Christopher Moore: Christopher Moore’s comedies have spanned multiple genres, but this satire of small-town life in the holiday season is truly inspired. Mixing supernatural elements with everyday people, Moore’s novel is another hilarious, fun ride.
5. Then We Came to the End, Joshua Ferris: The first novel from Joshua Ferris is a funny, true-to-life look at post-millennium twentysomethings trying to make sense of their lives. A great read, especially for those who remember the dot-com burst of 2001.
6. Changing Places, David Lodge: A witty novel for anyone who’s ever dealt with the bureaucracy and insanity of higher education.
7. Putting on the Ritz, Joe Keenan: Joe Keenan was a writer and producer for "Frasier," and his novel reflects some of that show’s sensibilities: high class, farcical, and outright hilarious.
8. Missing Links, Rick Reilly: Sports Illustrated columnist Rick Reilly expands into fiction with this humorous account of four buddies determined to get in a round at an exclusive golf course.
9. Semi-Tough, Dan Jenkins: Considered one of the best sports novels ever made, Dan Jenkins’ raunchy, rollicking Semi-Tough takes the reader into the lives of some of the most colorful characters ever to play pro football.
10. The Cockroach Basketball League, Charley Rosen: A spot-on satire of life in the basketball world, both on and off the court.
11. The Rounders, Max Evans: Max Evans’ comedic Western novel remains one of the best there is.
12. Mike Nelson’s Death Rat!, Michael J. Nelson: The former host of "Mystery Science Theater 3000" turns his love of all things shlocky into a winning comedic romp that spoofs everything from the literary world to pop music superstars.

British Humor

Often dry and frequently laugh-out-loud funny, these books from across the pond deal find humor in universal topics.

31. The Liar, Stephen Fry: Stephen Fry, one of the best British comics working today, crafts a winning tale with unique characters in this mash-up of spy story and love affair.
32. The Gun Seller, Hugh Laurie: Another British funnyman and the frequent partner of Stephen Fry, Hugh Laurie is likely best known to U.S. audiences for his work on Fox’s "House." His debut novel is a fantastic send-up of classic British spy novels.
33. Lucky Jim, Kingsley Amis: This satire of British life after World War II remains as sharp as ever.
34. Things My Girlfriend and I Have Argued About, Mil Millington: Another of the many debut novels to make the list, this novel follows a hapless narrator who can’t help but bicker with his girlfriend about, well, everything.
35. The Old Limey, H.W. Crocker III: A retired British general finds himself swept up in a surreal world involving drug dealers and kidnapping. A great marriage of comic style with classic suspense elements.
36. The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman, Laurence Sterne: This 18th century novel is a hallmark in literary experimentation and subtle humor.
37. Leave It To Psmith, P.G. Wodehouse: One of the great novels from Wodehouse, this book follows Psmith (the "P" is silent) as he quits the fishing business and hires himself out for a variety of tasks.
38. Billy Liar, Keith Waterhouse: Billy Liar uses his sense of fantasy to escape his ordinary family life in this riveting comic tale.
39. My Uncle Oswald, Roald Dahl: One of Dahl’s few novels for adults, this ribald but lighthearted book involves a plot to seduce famous men and sell their semen to women who want to bear children by them. (Told you it wasn’t for kids.)

Coming of Age

Growing up can really suck. Fortunately, these authors know how to find the funny side of being a teen.

40. Crossing California, Adam Langer: Adam Langer’s lengthy but engaging novel follows a group of teens, including some younger kids, as they come of age in Chicago in the late 1970s.
41. King Dork, Frank Portman: Frank Portman’s mystery- and angst-filled novel is so accurate it will give you flashbacks to the horrors of high school. The main character attempts to learn more about his deceased father while dealing with school bullies and an increasingly confusing love life.
42. Youth in Revolt, C.D. Payne: Told through a series of journal entries by its main character, this cult classic finds its young protagonist going to great lengths just to have sex.
43. Feed, M.T. Anderson: M.T. Anderson’s futuristic young adult novel skewers modern culture by imagining world in which we’re all run by the chips in our heads. Funny and chilling at the same time.
44. Election, Tom Perotta: This scathing, hilarious look at high school politics was later turned into a fantastic film with Reese Witherspoon.

Mystery and Adventure

These tightly woven tales still manage to find room for quick wit.

45. Fletch, Gregory Mcdonald: The popular film series with Chevy Chase doesn’t bear much resemblance to Gregory Mcdonald’s books, which traffic in a darker sense of humor. Worth checking out for fans of smart thrillers.
46. Lucky You, Carl Hiaasen: One of Carl Hiaasen’s best, this book follows a high-stakes plot involving lottery tickets, criminal scams, and plenty of lowlife characters.
47. One for the Money, Janet Evanovich: This is the first in Evanovich’s long-running and highly successful series of comic mysteries starring Stephanie Plum. If you’re a fan of witty narratives and compelling mysteries, do yourself a favor and check this one out.
48. The Eyre Affair, Jasper Fforde: Jasper Fforde’s playful twists on literary classics kicks off with The Eyre Affair, a humorous tale set in a world where books are living things and their characters as real as you and me.
49. Sunset and Sawdust, Joe R. Lansdale: Lansdale’s novel mixes noir elements, country flair, and high comedy for a one-of-a-kind read.
50. What’s the Worst That Could Happen?, Donald E. Westlake: Bearing almost no resemblance to the awful movie it inspired, Donald Westlake’s novel follows the battle of wits between a master criminal and the millionaire who pushed him too far.

Getting Started

These tips explain the basics of starting your own garden program.

1. Get a committee together. This will help you get the ideas, support and information you need to get your garden project going.
2. Find funding. Starting a garden isn’t always cheap but there are numerous sources of funding to help you. Seek out grants and local donors for assistance.
3. Define the purpose and objectives of your garden. There are many reasons to make a school garden: some want to grow food, others bring in wildlife, so define the purpose of your project beforehand so you’ll know where to start and what kind of plants you’ll need.
4. Figure out activities for students. The purpose of the garden is to teach students, so prepare some lessons beforehand.
5. Create a year-round plan. Your garden isn’t a school-year only investment. You’ll need to figure out what to do with it during vacations as well.
6. Choose a site. Finding a great site for your garden will be essential to your success, so choose wisely.
7. Create a garden design. If you’re not a garden design pro yourself, reach out to others for help in creating a great garden design.
8. Add to your garden bit by bit. You don’t have to fill out your garden entirely at once. Adding to it bit by bit can be a fun, and less expensive way to get started.
9. Involve parents. Letting parents in on the project can help get you support and ensure that children get help at home understanding what they’ve learned in the garden.
10. Get kids excited. Finally, you’ll want to make sure the students themselves are excited about the prospect of the garden. After all, they’re who you’re doing it for.

Helpful Resources

Check out these resources for help building, getting inspired and planning your garden.

11. USDA School Garden Bulletin Board: Here, the USDA provides information about school gardens across the US, information about gardens in the past and great lesson plans for educators.
12. NWF Schoolyard Habitats: Want to build a garden that attracts wildlife? This instructional guide from the National Wildlife Federation can help.
13. The Edible Schoolyard: As one of the longest running and most successful school gardens, this California garden can inspire you to create a great garden of your own.
14. Aggie Horticulture for Kids: Check out this site for guidance starting a school garden from Texas A&M.
15. USC School Garden: This site is home to a great collection of resources from the USC-San Diego.
16. Let’s Get Growing: Here you’ll find everything you need to help kids get started on creating their very own gardens.
17. Green Teacher: Read this magazine to learn ways you can support sustainability in your classroom.
18. Junior Master Gardener: This site is an excellent place to find tools to help support young gardeners.

Organizations

These organizations offer some inspiration and guidance on starting a garden.

19. Real School Gardens: This organization is focused on helping elementary schools build, design and educate with gardens.
20. Farm to School: Give your kids a better understanding of where their food comes from with help from this group.
21. Urban Harvest: You might not live where this organization does its work, but you can find some great ideas and support on their site.
22. KidsGardening.org: Supported by the National Gardener’s Association, this site is full of resources for aspiring school gardeners.
23. School Garden Wizard: Need help planning and planting your garden? Try out this site’s resources.
24. Children’s Garden Network: With the help of this organization, you can learn how to build and fund your own school garden.
25. World Food Garden: This organization dedicates itself to supporting small gardens around the world.
26. The Learning Garden: Here, you’ll find help creating an educational garden.

Informative Articles

Learn more about a wide variety of school garden-related topics through these articles.

27. Start an Edible School Garden Today: Learn how to start a produce producing garden with the help of this article.
28. The School Garden Debate: To Weep or Reap?: This article is a great defense of school gardens and well worth reading.
29. How to Start a Garden Checklist: Here, you’ll find a checklist for things you’ll need to do for your school garden.
30. The Benefits of a School Garden: Learn the many benefits of having a school garden here.
31. History of Youth Gardens: This article gives a short overview of the history of school gardens.
32. Making Compost In School: Your garden will do better with a little compost. Learn how to make it here.
33. Vermicomposting: Take your composting to the next level with this worm-based composting system.
34. School garden teaching students life lessons: See how this school garden is impacting students in this article from Maine.
35. Starting a School Garden: Get some helpful advice in starting a school garden here.
36. What are Some Good Plants to Grow With Children?: Use this article as a guide to some plants that are best to help children grow.
37. Top Tips for Setting Up a School Garden: Learn the essentials of setting up a school garden here.
38. Holiday Planning for the School Garden: This article will explain how to plan for your school garden in the months while you’re away from regular classes.

Blogs

Read through these blogs for some great ideas and information on gardening.

39. Garden ABCs: This blog is home to success stories, tools, and teaching tools for school gardens.
40. Garden-Based Learning Blog: Based out of Cornell, this blog will help you learn more about educators running gardens.
41. Gardening With Children.co.uk: Get tips and tools for school gardens on this UK blog.
42. Life and Learning in a School Garden: See just what is going on with this school’s garden project here.
43. Little Green Fingers: This blog is all about how to get children interested in gardening.
44. School Garden Weekly: Get regular posts on instructional activities for school gardens through this site.
45. Today’s Garden Ideas: Here you’ll find some great general ideas for gardening.
46. Savvy Gardening: Learn more about gardening as a whole from this great instructional blog.
47. Urban Veggie Garden Blog: If your school garden is to focus on growing vegetables, this blog can be a great resource.
48. Plant Talk: Written by the New York Botanical Garden, this site will help you learn more about plants, eating food, and garden design.

Funding Sources

Looking for some funding for your garden? Consider one of these sources.

49. School Garden Co: You can raise money for your school garden through selling these products.
50. Adopt a School Garden Program: Here, the National Gardening Association offers schools a chance to find a sponsor for their garden.
51. Healthy Sprouts Award: Gardens working to educate children about nutrition and hunger can apply for this award.
52. Captain Planet Grant: If your project focuses on environmental issues, consider asking for funding from this project.
53. Lowe’s Outdoor Classroom Grant Project: The home improvement store Lowe’s offers help for schools teaching science outdoors, with rewards of up to $5000.
54. Youth Garden Grants: Sponsored by The Home Depot and The Garden Club, this grant will help you start a child-centered garden.
55. America the Beautiful Fund: Get free seeds for your garden project through this fund.
56. American Honda Foundation: Honda offers support for school gardens, and other projects, through this foundation.
57. Box Tops 4 Education: Ask your community to save box tops to help you raise money through this program.
58. Fruit Tree Planting Foundation: Get support from this foundation to get some fruit trees planted at your school.

Lessons and Ideas

Here you’ll find an excellent collection of lessons and projects to try with your students.

59. NEEF School Garden Curricula: The National Environmental Education Week program offers these great lessons for grades K-12.
60. Edible Schoolyard Lessons and Recipes: Try out these lessons from the Edible Schoolyard. They can help teach your students about growing and cooking food.
61. NGA Classroom Projects Library: Here, the National Garden Association offers some great classroom projects that involve plants.
62. USC San Diego Learning and Activities: This site offers some great ways to get your students involved in the garden project.
63. The Great Plant Escape: Check out this site for a fun and interactive lesson for your students that will teach them about plant life.
64. Cornell Garden-Based Learning: Get short, stand-alone activities as well as ideas for longer projects on this site.
65. School Garden Potpourri of Ideas: If you’re looking for a simple list of ideas on how to use your school garden, this site has a great one.
66. Going on a bug safari in your school garden: Send your students out to search for bugs with this fun activity.
67. Project WILD Curriculum and Resources: Engage your students with wildlife using the lessons found here.
68. Granny’s Garden Lesson Plans: This program shares its lessons on plants, insects and the natural world on their site.
69. CSGN Curriculum: The California School Garden Network posts a wide range of gardening lessons here.
70. WEGarden Teacher Resources: On this site, you’ll get access to the resources this DC-based project uses to teach students about plants.

Learning the Ropes

Consider these tips when you’re new to school gardening.

71. Start small. You don’t have to create a gigantic garden to help students learn from it. Start small and work your way up so you don’t get overwhelmed.
72. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes. Anytime you’re starting something new you’re bound to have a few growing pains.
73. Read all you can. The only ways to get better at gardening are to learn from experience and to read all you can on the subject.
74. Get in touch with other school garden programs. They’ll be able to share their experience with you and help you with issues you might not know how to tackle.
75. Ask for help. There’s no reason you have to do it all on your own. Ask for help from other teachers, parents and friends.
76. Reach out to the community. There are likely many businesses and individuals who’ll want to help you out.
77. Keep it simple. You don’t have to have a garden that does everything. Keep it simple.
78. Use trial and error. Don’t know how a certain variety of plant will do? Try it out. You’ll never learn until you try.
79. Consider edible plants. That way, students can reap the rewards of their efforts and learn about healthy eating at the same time.
80. Have an alternate plan. If something doesn’t go as you originally planned it, make sure you have a backup plan to ensure things still run smoothly.

Gardening Information and Reference

If you need to look up some information about plants and gardening, these sources are excellent resources.

81. GreenWeb’s Gardening Glossary: Here you’ll find an excellent collection of articles all about plants and gardening topics.
82. National Gardening Association: This organization in a great resource for those looking to find information about plants, pests, weeds, and building a garden.
83. Gardener’s Supply Company: Look to this company to find some great supplies for a school garden.
84. Life Lab Resources for Planting and Maintaining Your School Garden: LifeLab offers a wide range of books, links and other resources to help you learn to plant a school garden here.
85. Producepedia: If you’re going to be growing food, find information about pretty much every kind out there.
86. Dave’s Garden: Whether you’re a new or expert gardener, you’ll find guides, information and help aplenty here.
87. Gardenology: Look up any plant you’re curious about here through a great garden wiki.
88. Garden Guides: From garden design to learning about pesky bugs, you’ll find help here.
89. My Garden Guide: Get some helpful advice on building your garden from this site.
90. New Gardener: If you’re new to the whole gardening experience, find great articles for beginners here.

Reading Material

Add these books to your library to learn more about starting, running and finding success with your garden.

91. How to Grow a School Garden: A Complete Guide for Parents and Teachers: This resource is a must-have for those hoping to start a school garden as it lays out all the essentials you’ll need to get the job done right.
92. Steps to a Bountiful Kids’ Garden: Get this guide from the NGA on how to get support and run a successful school garden.
93. Ten Years of Education at the Edible Schoolyard: Learn from the experience of the Edible Schoolyard in this informative book.
94. Children’s Gardens – A Field Guide for Teachers, Parents, and Volunteers: Published by the University of California, this book will teach you the basics of working with children on garden projects.
95. Fresh Food from Small Spaces: The Square-Inch Gardener’s Guide to Year-Round Growing, Fermenting, and Sprouting: This book will teach you how to make the most of even the small space you have to grow you garden.
96. Our Generous Garden: In this book, you’ll find an excellent resource for school gardens, including helpful illustrations and photos as well.
97. Expert Urban Gardener: This free guide will help you learn to garden better even if your school is located in an urban space.
98. The Growing Classroom: Garden-Based Science: Learn how to maximize the lessons of your school garden with this book.
99. Garden Projects for the Classroom & Special Learning Programs: Get some great ideas on how to educate your students through the outdoor classroom from this book.
100. Roots, Shoots, Buckets & Boots: Gardening Together with Children: This book can be a great introduction for your students to the wonderful world of gardening.

Smart drugs, or nootropics, aren’t as dangerous as they first sound. In fact, they’re virtually nontoxic supplements that are designed to enhance cognition and memory through the use of hormones and by increasing oxygen flow to the brain. But with any kind of hoped-for "wonder drug," smart drugs carry risks, particularly when given to impressionable teenagers or college students frentically searching for a quick fix during finals. Here are the facts and debates that every parent should know about smart drugs.

What the Hype’s All About

• They really might just make you smarter: There could be long-term side effects (see below), but in many cases, scientists have noticed that smart drugs really do improve memory, mental energy, learning ability and alertness, and actually decrease signs of depression.
• It’s a common drug for treating sleep disorders: At least one type of smart drug called Modafinil is used to treat sleep disorders, and was designed to "offer targeted, more powerful mental sharpening," according to a 2007 Times article. Other smart drugs are legitimately tested drugs used for other conditions like Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s and ADD, so many students believe they’re proven to be safe.
• Common behavioral drugs deliver a similar fix: Common drugs like Ridalin and Adderall that are normally used to help attention deficit disorders are becoming more popular with students who do not have behavioral issues but who want increased clarity, focus and energy. Adderall even has a new name on college campuses, "Addy," and helps with marathon study sessions.
• It offers the benefits of caffeine, without the jittery side effects: Like caffeine, the more sophisticated smart drugs give the mind an instant boost, and subjects moved from task to task very naturally, never losing their focus. But unlike caffeine and similar stimulants, the subjects did not experience negative side effects like feeling jittery or anxious, or even high or like their hearts were racing.
• They’re readily available: Many smart drugs can be purchased online, from foreign pharmacies, or in health and wellness stores. Illegally acquired or sold prescriptions are also popular methods of getting smart drugs, especially among students.
• The stigma for smart drugs isn’t really there: Our society has attached a stigma to certain supplements and drugs — even behavioral drugs and medication to relieve depression — but the effects of smart drugs basically turn us into smarter, more confident and more successful versions of ourselves. The positive effects make society more accepting of smart drugs and smart drug users.
• It may help you lose weight: This Huffington Post writer found that one side effect of smart drugs was losing weight, so the appeal strengthens: "you become cleverer and thinner."

The Other Side

• It may be illegal: Students often use and sell these drugs widely, circulating them around college campuses or even high schools, but doing so without a prescription is a felony.
• Smart drugs are most effective for people with brain injuries or disease: While smart drugs may improve your memory, they’re most effective when given to people with conditions like Parkinson’s or Alzheimers, not otherwise healthy-minded individuals.
• They’re being taken as long-term drugs, without long-term side effects being known: While research has found minimal immediate side effects resulting from taking smart drugs, scientists aren’t sure of the long-term effects of these supplements. And since they’re the type of drug that will most likely be used as a long-term cognitive enhancer, there is substantial debate about the safety of the drugs.
• They’re already very popular in the U.S.: The 2007 Times article points to a University of Michigan study that discovered 8% of undergraduates admitted to illegally taking prescription drugs for cognitive and learning enhancement, and the number was expected to increase over the next few years at least.
• There’s a big ethics debate: Although there’s no serious stigma attached to smart drugs, some do wonder about its ethics. Like athletes taking steroids, are students who take smart drugs at a better, unfair advantage than those who don’t?
• The pharmaceutical industry is ready to mass market these drugs: As more people use and talk about smart drugs, the pharmaceutical industry is positioning itself to corner the market and create smart drugs used only for the purpose of increasing cognition and memory for healthy-minded individuals, instead of relying on "multitasking" Parkinson’s or sleep disorder drugs to do the trick. This move would mean a more open discussion and perhaps more accepted — and widespread — usage of smart drugs, perhaps leading to smart drug abuse.

As an educator, you know how important it is to continue to learn throughout your life. With this collection of videos, you can learn all about teaching, learning, and the policies of schools. Check out our list to find the best online lectures for teachers and other educators.

General

Get a general look into education with these lectures.

1. Does College Really Matter?: Andrew Deblanco’s lecture discusses whether college really matters. [Princeton]
2. The Environment for Higher Education in the Future: Watch this lecture to look into the future of higher education. [UCTV]
3. Kiran Bir Sethi Teaches Kids to Take Charge: This educator teaches kids that they can be successful. [TED]
4. Parental Engagement, Prejudice and Personalization: You can find out how parents can be a part of education from this lecture. [RSA]
5. What Teachers Make: Taylor Mali shares respect for teachers. [TED]
6. The Global Network University: Check out this lecture about higher education globalization. [UCTV]
7. Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams: Professor Randy Pausch’s last lecture encourages viewers to achieve childhood dreams. [TED]
8. Emotional Intelligence: Check out this lecture about emotional intelligence in education. [Princeton]
9. On Urban Higher Education: See research on urban schools in this lecture. [UCTV]
10. On a Liberal Education for the 21st Century: This lecture discusses creating a 21st century liberal education. [MIT]
11. Parents as Part of the K-12 Learning Community: Check out this lecture to find out why parents are an important part of education. [Stanford]
12. Education: Importance of Peers: Watch Guy Kawasaki’s lecture about the impact of peers on education. [Stanford]
13. Patrick Awuah on Educating Leaders: Learn about the importance of liberal arts education for true leaders from Patrick Awuah. [TED]
14. Early Childhood Education: This lecture explains how important early childhood education is. [MIT]

Learning & Teaching Styles

These lectures study and share learning and teaching styles.

15. Gever Tulley Teaches Life Lessons Through Tinkering: Gever Tulley’s lecture is all about teaching through tinkering. [TED]
16. How to Make Teaching Come Alive: Walter Lewin lectures on engaging teaching. [MIT]
17. Statistical Learning Theory: Watch this talk about statistical learning. [MIT]
18. Relearning Learning: This lecture applies the long tail to learning. [MIT]
19. Teaching One Child at a Time: Shukla Bose focuses on treating each child as an individual. [TED]
20. The Torch or the Firehose: Watch this lecture to learn why section teaching is effective. [MIT]
21. Why Robbie Can’t Learn: Leslie Pack Kaelbling’s lecture is about the difficulty of learning in autonomous agents. [MIT]
22. The Nature of Constructionist Learning: This lecture discusses using constructionist learning. [MIT]
23. Blended Learning Revisited: This lecture is about revisiting a sense of wonder and curiosity. [MIT]
24. Do smaller classes raise achievement?: Read this lecture to learn about smaller classes. [MIT]
25. Networks for Learning: With this lecture, you’ll find a discussion on learning techniques. [MIT]
26. Educational Theory and Practice: In this lecture, you’ll get a look into educational theory. [MIT]
27. Bring on the Learning Revolution!: Ken Robinson lectures on a radical shift from standardized schools to personalized learning. [TED]
28. Concept-Centered Teaching: This lecture will help you learn about concept-centered teaching. [MIT]
29. Assessment and Individual Differences: Check out this lecture from Michael Martinez to learn about cognition and learning in educational settings. [University of California]
30. Sugata Mitra Shows How Kids Teach Themselves: Sugata Mitra’s lecture is all about helping children teach themselves. [TED]
31. The Power of Cultural Learning: You can learn about cultural learning with this lecture. [RSA]

Improvement

Watch these lectures to find out how education can be improved.

32. Focus on Educational Innovation: Watch this panel for a discussion on educational innovation. [MIT]
33. Michelle Obama’s Plea for Education: Michelle Obama’s lecture makes a case for students to take education seriously. [TED]
34. The Higher Education Investment Act: Dr. Vartan Gregorian lectures on the investment needed in American public higher education. [UCTV]
35. Liz Coleman’s Call to Reinvent Liberal Arts Education: Liz Coleman wants a radical reform in higher education. [TED]
36. Once Upon a School: Dave Eggers wants to be more engaged with local public schools. [TED]
37. Let’s Raise Kids to Be Entrepreneurs: Cameron Herold thinks that some kids having trouble in school might flourish as entrepreneurs. [TED]
38. Searching for Utopia in our Universities: Hanna Holborn Gray’s lecture is on the potential future of our universities. [UCTV]

Open & Shared Education

These lectures focus on sharing education openly.

39. Learning Through Remixing: See how remixing can be used for education. [MIT]
40. Richard Baraniuk on Open-Source Learning: This professor explains the vision behind an open source online education system. [TED]
41. Community Discussion on Open Sharing and OpenCourseWare: William Bowen discusses open sharing and OpenCourseWare. [MIT]
42. Hector Ruiz on Connecting the World: Watch Hector Ruiz’s lecture to see why Internet access is good for education everywhere. [TED]
43. Education Across Borders: Kapil Sibal’s lecture covers the Indian perspective of sharing education. [MIT]
44. Negroponte Takes OLPC to Columbia: Nicholas Negroponte shares educational laptops inside former guerilla territory. [TED]
45. The OpenCourseWare Initiative: Anne Marguiles lectures on a new model for sharing. [MIT]
46. Ensuring Educational Access: This lecture covers the challenge and opportunity of educational access. [MIT]
47. Academic Freedom and Responsibility in Hard Times: You can learn about the importance of academic freedom from Gary Rhoades. [Boston College]
48. Jay Walker on the World’s English Mania: This lecture explains why the world is trying to learn English. [TED]

Creativity

These lectures support creativity.

49. Emotion Machine: Commonsense Thinking, Artificial Intelligence, and the Future of the Human Mind: Marvin Minsky discusses the AI movement, and what innovative thinkers are coming up with next to solve everyday problems in life and education. [MIT]
50. Sowing the Seeds for a More Creative Society: Michel Resnick lectures on how we can create a more creative society. [MIT]
51. What Adults Can Learn from Kids: Adora Svitak insists that the world needs more childish thinking. [TED]
52. Ken Robinson Says Schools Kill Creativity: Sir Ken Robinson would like to see an education system that nurtures creativity. [TED]
53. Tim Brown on Creativity and Play: Tim Brown’s lecture is about the relationship between creative thinking and play. [TED]

Technology & the Future

In these lectures, you’ll see the future and technology of education.

54. Educational Technology Initiatives in Business: See technology in business education with this lecture. [MIT]
55. Interactive Videoconferencing: You’ll take a look at videoconferencing for education in this lecture. [UWTV]
56. Research in Educational Technology: You can learn about what’s happening in educational technology from this lecture. [UWTV]
57. Rudy Crew on Training, Technology, and Budgets: Rudy Crew’s lecture takes a look at new technology for schools in this lecture. [UWTV]
58. Opening Doors: Check out this lecture to learn about online mentoring. [UWTV]
59. The Future of Media in Children’s Education: Check out educational media with the help of this lecture. [Princeton]
60. Focus on Educational Innovation: These panelists discuss innovation in education. [MIT]
61. Technologies for Creative Learning: Through this lecture, you will learn about creative learning technologies. [MIT]
62. Website Development: Learn how to create educational websites with this lecture. [Harvard]
63. Accessible Information Technology in Education: You should watch this lecture for a look into making educational technology accessible. [UWTV]
64. Computer Games and Simulations for Investigational Learning: This lecture takes a look at computer games and simulations, and their use in learning. [MIT]
65. Schools Don’t Want Technology, Schools Want Education: Through this lecture, you’ll see how educational technology can work for schools. [UWTV]
66. Michael Merzenich on Re-Wiring the Brain: This neuroscientist discusses rewiring the brain. [TED]
67. Engage Me or Enrage Me: Watch this talk about using video games for education. [Boston College]
68. Do Schoolchildren and Students Know How to Research?: In this lecture, you’ll take a look at the wisdom of crowds in education. [RSA]
69. The Future of Media in Children’s Education: Through this lecture, you will learn about using media for children’s education. [Princeton]
70. Education for the 21st Century: You’ll learn about the challenges in today’s school systems from Linda Darling-Hammond. [Boston College]
71. The Role of Distance Education: Watch this lecture about using distance education. [MIT]
72. National Educators’ Summit on Media and Technology: This talk is all about educational media and technology. [Boston College]
73. Opening Opportunities: This lecture discusses the role of distance education. [MIT]
74. Learning From Students: In this lecture, you will learn about learning management with the help of Facebook. [UCTV]
75. Effective Examples of Educational Technology and Priorities for Future Investment: See what’s working in educational technology and what can be used in the future. [MIT]
76. Use of the Internet and Higher Education: With this lecture, you can learn about the special relationship between higher education and the Internet. [UCTV]
77. Education Innovation in the Slums: In Charles Leadbeater’s lecture, you will learn about radical new forms of education in the slums. [TED]
78. Students and Electronic Media: Princeton’s lecture is all about teaching with electronic media. [Princeton]
79. Globalization and Higher Education: You’ll learn about competition and cooperation in higher education from this lecture. [MIT]
80. Media, Education, and Technology: Bonnie Bracey shows how media and technology work in education. [MIT]
81. A University for the Coming Singularity: Ray Kurzweil’s lecture is about Singularity University for studying oncoming technology. [TED]
82. Educational Uses of Technology: Watch this video to consider the educational uses of technology. [MIT]

School Systems

Get a look into school systems with these lectures.

83. Ann Cooper Talks School Lunches: Ann Cooper lectures on the coming revolution in the way children eat at school. [TED]
84. The University We Are For: In this panel, you will get a look into issues crucial to the contemporary university. [UCTV]
85. Teach Every Child About Food: Jamie Oliver wants to assault our children’s’ ignorance of food. [TED]
86. Single Sex Education: Debora Spar considers whether single sex education is a challenge or a boon to equality. [UCTV]
87. Rethinking the Student Experience in the 21st Century Public Research University: You’ll learn about the benefits of a diverse student body from this lecture. [UCTV]

Specific Subjects

These lectures tackle teaching and issues in specific areas of study.

88. Applied Humanities: Watch this panel lecture for a look into changing Humanities education. [MIT]
89. Engineering and Earth Systems: In this lecture, you’ll learn about educing a new breed of engineers. [MIT]
90. Arthur Benjamin Does "Mathemagic": This lecture shows mathemagician Arthur Benjamin at work. [TED]
91. Mae Jemison on Teaching Arts and Sciences Together: Mae Jemison asks educators to teach arts and sciences together. [TED]
92. Human Simulations of Language Learning: In this lecture, you will see how language learning works. [MIT]
93. Managers Not MBAs: In this lecture, you’ll learn about the merits of business education. [MIT]
94. Management Education in Emerging Markets: Watch Derek Abell’s lecture to learn about management education. [European School of Management and Technology]
95. Inspiring and Educating the Next Generation: Check out this lecture about educating the next generation of engineers. [MIT]
96. Arthur Benjamin’s Formula for changing Math Education: In Arthur Benjamin’s lecture, you’ll see how we can change math education for the better. [TED]
97. Technology, Policy and Education: This lecture is all about education for leadership in engineering. [MIT]
98. Organizational Economics and Management Education: Robert Gibbons shares the details of education for organizational economics and management. [MIT]
99. Educating Engineers for 2020 and Beyond: Watch Charles Vest’s lecture about engineering education for the future. [MIT]
100. Math Class Needs a Makeover: Dan Meyer insists that we need to change math class for the better. [TED]

Natural Wonders

These lands are both beautiful and historic.

1. Grand Canyon: Visit Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona to overwhelm your senses.
2. Saugatuck Dunes State Park: Saugatuck Dunes has amazing fresh water coastal dunes along the Lake Michigan shoreline.
3. Ossabaw Island: Ossabaw is an excellently preserved barrier island in Georgia.
4. Black Mountain: See the history of Cherokee Indians and more at Black Mountain.
5. South Pass: South Pass was an important path for the Oregon Trail.
6. Sweet Grass Hills: The Sweet Grass Hills share the aboriginal history of the Blackfeet people.
7. Yellowstone: America’s first national park is a great place to see wildlife and Old Faithful.
8. Prehistoric Serpent Mount: The Serpent Mount is an enthralling earthwork in the form of a coiling.
9. Yosemite: Yosemite National Park will amaze you with granite glaciers, trees, and more.

Man Made Feats

You’ll see amazing works of architecture and engineering here.

10. Golden Gate Bridge: Golden Gate Bridge is one of the most iconic bridges in the US.
11. Bronx River Parkway: This road in the Bronx has a rich history.
12. Fair Park Texas Centennial Buildings: The Fair Park buildings are one of the largest intact group of exposition buildings in the US.
13. Coldwater Covered Bridge: This bridge was built by a former slave, and is one of the most visited attractions near Anniston, Alabama.
14. TWA Terminal at JFK: This terminal has been hailed as an icon of modern design.
15. Meridian Highway Bridge: The Meridian Highway Bridge has dual levels connecting South Dakota and Nebraska.
16. US Capitol: This important and architecturally impressive building is worth a visit.
17. Wentworth by the Sea: This hotel is one of only a handful of surviving Gilded Age hotels.
18. Century Plaza Hotel: The Century Plaza Hotel is a prominent Los Angeles landmark, opened in 1966.
19. Gold Dome Bank: This structure in Oklahoma City was designed to usher in a new age of technology.
20. Lizzie Borden Bed & Breakfast: This B&B is in the same home as the famous murders of Andrew and Abby Borden.
21. Ford’s Theatre: Ford’s Theatre shares Abraham Lincoln’s life and tragic assassination.
22. The Vice President’s Residence: This residence has welcomed countless guests, including foreign leaders and dignitaries.
23. Empire State Building: Visit the Empire State Building, one of the most famous buildings in New York and the United States.
24. White House: Tour the halls of the White House to see the Presidential environment and history.
25. Hinchliffe Stadium: Get a look into historic baseball at Hinchliffe Stadium.
26. Stillwater Lift Bridge: This bridge is a testament to innovative engineering techniques.
27. Merritt Parkway: Merritt Parkway offers a look into incredible scenic, cultural, and environmental assets.
28. Montezuma Castle: This national monument is one of the best preserved cliff dwellings in North America.

Landmarks & Roadside Attractions

Stop off on your road trip to see these historic American attractions.

29. Cadillac Ranch: Cadillac Ranch is an interesting offbeat attraction.
30. Travelers Rest: This city has a colorful history as a stopover for weary travelers.
31. Dinosaur Town with Volcano Toilets: Nearly 30 cement dinosaurs fill the town of Granger, Washington, and public toilets are encased in volcanoes.
32. Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas Sign: This sign welcomes travelers via Las Vegas Boulevard.
33. Oldest Surviving McDonald’s: This restaurant is a fun example of roadside architecture.
34. Wigwam Village Motel #6: Spend the night in a Route 66 landmark at the Wigwam Village Motel #6.

Memorials

These historic sites give reverence to those whose lives served America.

35. USS Arizona Memorial: Learn about the sacrifice and history of Pearl Harbor in this national memorial.
36. World War II Memorial: Visit the World War II memorial to recognize the sacrifice and victory of "the greatest generation."
37. Thomas Jefferson Memorial: This memorial stands as a symbol of liberty and remembrance of Thomas Jefferson.
38. Hindenburg Crash Site: Check out this site to find a memorial of the Hindenburg crash.
39. Vietnam Veterans Memorial: Go to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial to remember their sacrifice.
40. Washington Monument: This monument is one of the most prominent structures in Washington, DC.
41. Mount Rushmore: Mount Rushmore is a breathtaking site to see.
42. Congressional Cemetery: The Congressional Cemetery is a place for Presidents and residents in our American history.
43. Lincoln Memorial: Celebrate the legacy of Abraham Lincoln at the Lincoln Memorial.
44. The Survivors’ Stairway: This stairway is the only above-ground remnant of the World Trade Center in New York, and was used by hundreds to evacuate during the September 11th attacks.
45. Korean War Veterans National Memorial: See the gratitude for Korean War veterans at this national memorial.
46. FDR Memorial: Visit the FDR Memorial to celebrate the life and legacy of a great American President.

Watercraft

Check out these pieces of watercraft to learn about their purpose in US history.

47. CA Thayer: This schooner is an excellent example of the historic Pacific Coast fleet.
48. USS Albacore: USS Albacore sank 8 Japanese ships in her ten war patrols.
49. USS Constellation: The USS Constellation is one of the greatest warships to serve in the Navy from Vietnam to Iraq.
50. USS Constitution: Old Ironsides offers a look into the world’s oldest commissioned warship still afloat and US naval heritage.

Facilities

These facilities take a look into how things have worked throughout history.

51. Bathhouse Row: See what bathhouses along hot springs looked like at Bathhouse Row in Hot Springs National Park.
52. Great Bowdoin Mill: This village exists as a symbol of the paper industry in Maine.
53. Alcatraz Island: You’ll get an inside look at the first lighthouse and US fort on the West Coast as well as the infamous federal penitentiary.
54. Rosenwald Schools: These schools were a part of a program to improve education for blacks in the South.
55. Hackensack Water Works: This water facility is a time capsule of 19th and 20th century technology.
56. The Oldest Wooden Schoolhouse: This schoolhouse shares insights into North American building construction in the 1700s.
57. Knight Foundry: Knight Foundry served the needs of the mining and lumber industries for more than 120 years.
58. DeTour Reef Lighthouse: The DeTour is an outstanding offshore lighthouse experience on Lake Huron.
59. Industrial Arts Building: The Industrial Arts Building showcases Lincoln, Nebraska’s most important export-agricultural products.
60. Yuengling: Yuengling Brewery is America’s oldest operating brewery.
61. The Monocacy Aqueduct: This aqueduct is one of the finest canal features in the US.
62. Library of Congress: Spend time in the Library of Congress, one of the most impressive libraries in the world.
63. Eleutherian College: Eleutherian College was founded in an antislavery stronghold.
64. Space Center Houston: See space engineering and history at work at Space Center Houston.
65. Hoover Dam: Take the Hoover Dam tour to learn about water management.
66. Kennedy Space Center: Visit the Kennedy Space Center to take a journey through space and time.

Military

Battlegrounds, cemeteries, and museums tell the story of America’s military.

67. Arlington National Cemetery: Walk among the headstones of American history at Arlington National Cemetery.
68. Cedar Creek & Belle Grove: Visit this national historical park to see historical sites and events related to the American Civil War.
69. Fort Jefferson: Fort Jefferson is America’s largest coastal fort, built in the mid-1800s with over 16 million bricks.
70. Battle of Brandy Station: Visit Brandy Station, the site of the largest cavalry battle ever fought in North America.
71. National Infantry Museum: At this museum, you’ll be able to honor and remember soldiers.
72. Battle of Wilderness National Military Park: You’ll learn about the beginning of the Overland Campaign at the site of this Battle, fought in 1864.
73. Gettysburg: Study the Battle of Gettysburg at Gettysburg National Military Park.
74. Antietam National Battlefield: Visit Antietam to explore the bloodiest one day battle in American history.

Heritage

Explore America’s heritage at these sites.

75. Colonial Williamsburg: Learn about America’s beginnings in Colonial Williamsburg.
76. Pagat: Pagat showcases the early northeastern coastal villages of Guam.
77. The Old North Church: This church played an important part in the American Revolution.
78. Old Kaskasia Village: This village is the best-documented historic Indian site in the Illinois River Valley.
79. Liberty Bell: See the old cracked Liberty Bell in Independence National Historical Park.
80. Declaration of Independence: You’ll see one of the most important documents in US history in the Declaration of Independence.
81. US Constitution: Visit the US Constitution in Independence National Historical Park.
82. Ellis Island: See where so many American ancestors arrived at Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty.
83. Cape Cod: Cape Cod isn’t just a hot tourism spot, it’s where the Pilgrims first landed in America.
84. Historic Jamestowne: Explore America’s beginnings in Historic Jamestowne.
85. Deerfield: Deerfield, Massachusetts has been restored to its colonial appearance.
86. Angel Island Immigration Station Foundation: Angel Island will give you a glimpse into Pacific Coast immigration.

Homes

Focus on the lives of important Americans in their very own homes.

87. The Paul Revere House: You can learn about the life of Paul Revere in his home.
88. Carter G. Woodson Home: This site was the home of Carter G. Woodson and served as the national headquarters of the Association for the Study of African-American Life and History.
89. President Lincoln’s Cottage: This cottage is an incredibly significant historic site from Lincoln’s presidency.
90. Juana Briones Heritage: Juana Briones’ house tells the stories of a Latina businesswoman, humanitarian, and landowner.
91. Montpelier: You will see the style of James and Dolley Madison at Montpelier.
92. Mount Vernon: Explore the historic Mount Vernon estate and gardens, the home of George Washington.
93. Daniel Webster Farm: See this farm to learn about Daniel Webster’s lie as one of America’s foremost statesmen.

Museums

These museums will help you study various important places, events, and items in US history.

94. Pony Express Museum: You can learn about the legacy of the Pony Express in this museum.
95. National Museum of Patriotism: Visit this museum for memories and patriotic inspiration.
96. Folsom Prison Museum: You’ve heard about it in the Johnny Cash song, now learn about it in this museum.
97. US Holocaust Memorial Museum: Study the history of the Holocaust at this museum.
98. Newseum: This incredibly interactive museum will take you through the history of the news and beyond.
99. National Underground Railroad Freedom Center: You will learn about the Underground Railroad at the Freedom Center.
100. Museum of Death: See the history of death and more at the Museum of Death.

The written word has the power to generate ideas, inspire revolutions, and change the way we view ourselves and our place in history. Nowhere is this power more clear than in the works of the authors on this list. These 25 writers changed the world and its writing with their style and beliefs, and the works they created — from fictional epics to philosophical creeds — have had a lasting impact on people and cultures around the world. (And more than a few have won the Nobel Prize to prove it.) Even if they aren’t required reading for an online college course, you should do yourself a favor and check them out.

1. William Faulkner: One of the most influential authors to ever come out of the Southern United States, William Faulkner churned out a body of work in the early 20th century that took a few years to find acceptance among a wider audience. Between 1929 and 1936, he released four novels — The Sound and the Fury, As I Lay Dying, Light in August, and Absalom, Absalom! — that would define his stream-of-consciousness style and his explorations of morality using characters set in his native Mississippi. He also wrote screenplays for director Howard Hawks, contributing to The Big Sleep and To Have and Have Not, but it was his literary body of that earned him the Nobel Prize in 1949, which brought him a new level of fame. He’s influenced countless writers from the South and across the country.
2. Gabriel Garcia Marquez: Born in Colombia in 1927, Gabriel Garcia Marquez first made his literary mark as a journalist, during which time he and a few other writers formed the Barranquilla Group to share works and inspire each other. Later venturing into fiction, Garcia Marquez wrote One Hundred Years of Solitude, a dazzling work inspired by his home country and the war he had seen. The book was the author’s first major work to dabble in magical realism, a blending of genres that would color his body of work for decades. He also wrote Love in the Time of Cholera, a non-traditional love story that approaches romance from a unique point of view. His lifelong explorations of relationships and isolation have earned him the Nobel Prize.
3. Henrik Ibsen: Henrik Ibsen, born in Norway in 1928, is widely regarded as one of the most pivotal figures in modern drama and a founder of the modernist movement in theater. His plays were groundbreaking for the way they frankly addressed social and moral issues of the day with much more directness than Victorian society tended to prefer, turning Ibsen into a sensationalist presence in the theater world. A Doll’s House is perhaps his most famous work from his extensive body of plays, and is memorable for its attack on 19th-century marriage and its anti-feminist trappings. (Like many of the authors on this list, Ibsen’s work became a touchstone for a disenfranchised class of people, in this case, women.) Later works like Hedda Gabler and The Master Builder went even further, eschewing Victorian commentary altogether to grapple with complex moral issues.
4. Franz Kafka: How many writers make such an impact that their name becomes an adjective describing works reminiscent of their own style? These days, whenever a story takes a surreal or horrific turn that highlights the unconquerable complexity of a faceless system, it’s called "Kafkaesque." The Trial is a harrowing novel about a man persecuted by an omniscient authority for a crime whose nature is never revealed. The Metamorphosis is a similarly disturbing book in which the narrator awakens to learn he’s turned into a giant bug. Kafka’s stories probe the darker and less traveled areas of the human condition, and though he was only 40 when he died in 1924 (he starved to death when tuberculosis made eating too painful), his works earned him a reputation as one of the most original writers of the 20th century.
5. William Butler Yeats: The first Irishman to ever win the Nobel Prize for literature, William Yeats was a groundbreaking poet whose work ushered in that portion of the Celtic Revival referred to as the Irish Literary Revival, a movement in the early 20th century which Yeats and other writers brought Irish writing to a wider audience. His use of symbolism within traditional poetic style inspired generations of other writers. His poem "The Second Coming" contains many powerful and now-famous uses of Christian imagery in its social criticism.
6. Mary Wollstonecraft: The mother of Frankenstein author Mary Shelley was an accomplished writer and public figure long before her daughter’s novel shook the world. Mary Wollstonecraft, born in 1759, was a pioneering force in British feminism and philosophy. Her most famous work is A Vindication of the Rights of Woman, in which she argued that women deserved as much education and as many opportunities as men, and that for society to regard women as ornaments for their husbands instead of companions was to do them a tragic disservice. Published in 1792, just five years before she died, Wollstonecraft’s treatise became a cornerstone in the growing intellectual movement to grant women equal rights with men.
7. Henry David Thoreau: Without the 19th-century writings and observations of Henry David Thoreau, the 20th century might have gone very differently. His earnest reflections on peace and nature in Walden inspired thousands of naturalists, and his book Civil Disobedience, in which he argues of the necessity of peacefully resisting an immoral government, was a touchstone in the lives of Mahatma Gandhi and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Thoreau was also an ardent abolitionist and leader in the field of transcendentalism, which (basically) taught that a person’s perfect spiritual state was best attained through their own intuition and not through established religions.
8. Frederick Douglass: Born into slavery before escaping to freedom, Frederick Douglass was a leading light in the abolitionist movement of the 19th century, and his writings allowed him to travel the world and speak on behalf of equality and justice. He wrote three autobiographies tracing his life and journeys, and each of them is a classic: Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave; My Bondage and My Freedom; and Life and Times of Frederick Douglass.
9. Upton Sinclair: Upton Sinclair’s work as a journalist and novelist were integral in some of the biggest changes in the fields of industry and public health in the first half of the 20th century. His 1906 novel The Jungle was a peak in the muckraking movement (the journalistic practice of exposing corruption at high levels), and Sinclair spent weeks undercover at a meat-packing plant in Chicago to get the lurid facts for his book. When it hit shelves, people were so distraught by the unhealthy conditions he described that meat sales in the U.S. plummeted. The book’s influence urged the government to play a better role in food safety and led eventually to the passage of the Pure Food and Drug Act of 1906.
10. Jose Marti: A hero in his native Cuba, Jose Marti is often called the "Apostle of Cuban Independence" for his writings and political work in which he argued for Cuba’s independence from Spain in the 19th century. His writings advocated Cuban sovereignty from all foreign rulers, including the United States. Marti died in action in 1895, three years before Cuba achieved its dream of independence.
11. Harriet Beecher Stowe: Another fierce abolitionist who railed against slavery, Harriet Beecher Stowe is best known for her novel Uncle Tom’s Cabin, released in 1852. The book detailed the lives of slaves in realistic ways and helped make the issues of inequality understandable and accessible to millions of Americans. How popular was the book? It was the best-selling novel of the 19th century, and the second-best-selling book of the century, period, behind only the Bible. Interestingly, while Stowe intended the title character of Tom to be a noble, Christian slave, various "Tom shows" that took advantage of weak copyright laws sprung up nationwide, and those stage plays often differed drastically from Stowe’s novel and intent. The spread of these shows, as well as the pervasive cultural stereotypes inspired by the book, eventually turned the phrase "Uncle Tom" into a pejorative term aimed at African-Americans perceived as too eager to please white people. Still, there’s no denying Stowe’s tremendous impact.
12. Charles Darwin: It’s impossible to underestimate the impact or importance of Charles Darwin’s work as a scientist in the 1800s. His theory of evolution and common animal ancestry have polarized readers ever since. He wrote multiple books on the subject, but his best-known is likely 1859′s On the Origin of Species, which laid the foundations for evolutionary biology and changed the world forever. The impact on scientific study and religious doctrine has been massive.
13. Thomas Aquinas: Saint Thomas Aquinas, who lived from 1225-1274, was a pivotal theological figure whose writings are still read and cherished by worshippers worldwide. He’s revered as one of the greatest philosophers in the history of the Catholic Church, thanks to his Summa Theologica ("Summary of Theology") and Summa contra Gentiles. Despite the fact that the Summa Theologica went unfinished, it became a foundational text in theological circles and summed up the Church’s teachings at the time. His works even gave rise to a school of philosophy about them: Thomism.
14. Thomas Paine: Long before this Founding Father had his works co-opted by cable hosts, he was known for his political writings distributed in the pamphlet Common Sense. He argued strongly for American independence from British rule, and even left England for the Colonies in order to be a part of the burgeoning American Revolution. The pamphlet became a smash success and helped galvanize public opinion behind the Revolution.
15. Karl Marx: The man whose name is still a lightning rod for passionate argument about the ups and downs of the free market, Karl Marx penned The Communist Manifesto, one of the most powerful and influential political texts in history. He believed that capitalism would eventually crumble from internal tension, leading to a stateless or "pure" communism. Marx wrote the book with Friedrich Engels, with whom he also developed the belief system known as Marxism, the details of which are much better explained here.
16. Simone de Beauvoir: One of the major female writers of the 20th century and a key player in the century’s feminist movement, French author Simone de Beauvoir broke ground with The Second Sex, an examination of the role women have played in society throughout history. The book attacked men for labeling women as a mysterious "Other," claiming that they used this as an excuse to ignore women and refuse to understand them. The book also did drastic things for the understanding and study of gender roles versus sexuality.
17. Rene Descartes: "I think, therefore I am." That simple sentence shook the world. Rene Descartes made huge contributions to the fields of mathematics (the Cartesian coordinate system) and philosophy, with his Discourse on the Method containing that famous phrase that crystallized his approach to existence and rationality. Descartes reasoned that the only thing for sure he can know is that he’s a thinking thing, which is the most distilled form and explanation of existence.
18. Dante Alighieri: This Middle Age poet is known for his Divine Comedy, a sprawling work that includes three volumes and is regarded to be one of the best works in history. The three volumes of the epic poem — Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradisio — chart Dante’s journey through Hell and Purgatory and into Paradise, acting as a parallel of a soul’s journey through the world to reach God. Its power and success helped earn Dante the nickname "The Supreme Poet."
19. Adam Smith: First published in 1776, Adam Smith’s The Wealth of Nations is a masterwork in economic theory that argues the benefits of a free-market economy. Many of today’s economic theories and arguments can be traced back to Smith’s work. His earlier publication, The Theory of Moral Sentiments, discussed the "invisible hand," the self-regulating aspect of the free market.
20. Fyodor Dostoyevsky: One of the masters of Russian literature, Fyodor Dostoyevsky used his novels and short stories to profoundly explore human relationships, psychology, and religious beliefs. Crime and Punishment dealt with morality in a frank and moving way, and his final novel, The Brothers Karamazov, was also renowned for its ethical musings on nature, God, and moral choices. His works influenced many other writers, including Ernest Hemingway and James Joyce.
21. Niccolo Machiavelli: Machiavelli’s most famous work, and the one that would make his name a household phrase, wasn’t published until five years after his death. The Prince was a political treatise about how political power can be obtained and held, often through extreme measures. As a result, the word "Machiavellian" soon entered the lexicon to mean any move or series of actions in which power is acquired at the expense of innocents.
22. Sigmund Freud: Sigmund Freud’s name is synonymous with mental health. He founded the field of psychoanalysis and gained notoriety for his theories about how sexual desire was the main driver behind human action. He published a multitude of books and papers on psychiatry, including The Interpretation of Dreams and Beyond the Pleasure Principle. His theories revolutionized psychiatry and had a lasting impact on the field.
23. Carl Jung: Another major player in brain matters, Carl Jung is noted as the founder of analytical psychology. His psychological studies and theories gave rise to a number of concepts still used today, including the use of archetypes to explain behavior and the existence of the collective unconscious. Another popular psychiatric assessment tool, the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, sprang up from Jung’s theories.
24. Plato: Student of Socrates and mentor to Aristotle, Plato is one of the most influential and important figures in the history of Western philosophy. His writings have been circulated and published worldwide for centuries, and there are 36 dialogues and 13 letters to his name. His Socratic dialogues (in which Socrates plays a major role in the discussion) explore a host of philosophical issues, with The Republic ranking among one of Plato’s best. The dialogue examines the quality of justice in governmental and individual terms, and it remains a cornerstone of political theory to this day.
25. William Shakespeare: What’s there to say? William Shakespeare is widely and accurately regarded as the best writer in the history of the English language. His stunning body of plays and poems have shaped modern drama in innumerable ways. His comedies were witty and quick, and his dramas — including Hamlet and Macbeth — rank among some of the best works ever produced. He’s a writer who didn’t just change the world; he helped create it.

Northeastern United States
1. Brooklyn Museum: This blog for the Brooklyn Museum discusses upcoming exhibits and events.
2. Fogg Museum: This facility at the Harvard Art Museum features a variety of contemporary and classic art.
3. Face to Face: The National Portrait Gallery, administered by the Smithsonian Institution, gets a close-up treatment with this helpful blog.
4. George Eastman House: The Blog: The George Eastman House International Museum of Photography and Film, located in the former home of the man who founded Eastman Kodak Company, has one of the best collections of photographic art in the world. This blog is a wonderful way to learn about new works and discover when to visit.
5. Science Museum of Long Island: Visitors to this New York museum should check out this blog for great stories about the artifacts on display.
6. Eye Level: Another great blog from the Smithsonian group, this one focuses on their American Art Museum.
7. Inside/Out: The Museum of Modern Art in New York City is one of the best museums in the country, and this blog is a great way to familiarize yourself with it.
8. Fenimore Art Museum: Located in Cooperstown, New York, the Fenimore Art Museum boasts an impressive collection with a focus on cultural heritage.
9. Art at the Katzen: This blog is run by Jack Rasmussen, the director and curator of the American University Museum at the Katzen Arts Center.
10. Graphic Arts: This blog is devoted to showcasing the latest exhibitions from the Graphic Arts Collection at Princeton University Library.

Southern United States

11. The Modern: This is the official blog for the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth, Texas.
12. Gibbes Museum Blog: This is the blog for South Carolina’s Gibbes Museum of Art.
13. Amon Carter Museum: This is another Fort Worth blog, complete with historical information about the exhibits.
14. Nasher Museum Blogs: A great round-up of news and analysis from the Duke University museum.
15. University of Virginia Art Museum: UVA’s museum is easy to navigate with this behind-the-scenes blog.
16. Untitled: It’s not a typo: This blog for the North Carolina Museum of Art really is called "Untitled."
17. The Southern Art Blog: This is the blog for the Morris Museum of Art, a Georgia museum that focuses on art from the South.
18. Education at the O: A blog about learning opportunities at the Ogden Museum of Southern Art at the University of New Orleans.
19. Dallas Museum of Art Educator Blog: A fantastic blog for educators looking for ways to get their students involved with the Dallas Museum of Art.
20. The Asheville Art Museum Blog: Great posts and frequent use of video make this blog a wonderful resource for visitors to the Asheville Art Museum in North Carolina.

Midwestern United States

21. Indianapolis Museum of Art: The IMA’s blog is a great way for visitors to interact with museum staff and give feedback on past and future exhibits.
22. NIU Art Museum: The official blog for Northern Illinois University’s Art Museum in DeKalb.
23. Blog @ The Nelson-Atkins: Kansas City’s Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art is a great resource for residents, and this blog has news and information about all the museum’s events.
24. Art Matters: A simple but informative blog from the University of Iowa’s Museum of Art.
25. Woodson Wanderings: The Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum is one of the best in Wisconsin, and this fun blog is filled with great anecdotes about what it takes to put an exhibition together.
26. Art Institute of Chicago: A great way to keep up with the staff and community of Chicago’s fantastic Art Institute.
27. 2 Buildings 1 Blog: This combo blog serves both the Pulitzer Foundation for the Arts and the Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis.
28. What’s New at Minnetrista: This art and outdoor facility in Indiana keeps an updated blog with information about exhibits and visiting hours.
29. The Cleveland Museum of Art: Find out about seasonal programs and special exhibits at the Cleveland Museum of Art.
30. Chicago History Museum: This historical museum also features some wonderful works of art that reflect our changing society.
31. Akron Art Museum Blog: A helpful rundown of events at Ohio’s Akron Art Museum.

Western United States

32. Asian Art Museum Blog: This San Francisco museum is one of the biggest repositories of Asian art in the world.
33. University of Wyoming Art Museum: This blog details exhibition information as well as facts about the school.
34. Hammer News + Blogs: Part of UCLA, the Hammer Museum has a fantastic number of exhibits and artifacts, and you can learn about them via this official blog.
35. Hi-Q-RT: Compound Gallery in Portland, Oregon, is a great place to see independent and nontraditional modern art, and this blog offers a great glimpse of life at the museum.
36. The Iris: Subtitled "Views from the Getty," this is the blog for California’s gorgeous Getty Museum.
37. RAMBlog: Southern California’s Riverside Art Museum is one of the premiere art destinations for the Inland Empire, and you can find more info at this blog.
38. Hank Blog: "Hank" is the nickname for the Henry Art Gallery, located at the University of Washington.
39. SOAP: This is the blog for the Seattle Art Museum in Washington.
40. Unframed: The Los Angeles County Museum of Art is a popular destination for residents and tourists alike, and this helpful blog offers interesting history about the pieces on display.
41. FIDM: Museum and Galleries: This L.A. museum is dedicated to the art of design and textiles.
42. ASU Art Museum Blog: The ASU Art Museum is part of the Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts at Arizona State University. This blog is run by staff and curators.
43. Seattle Art Blog: This blog covers multiple museums and art centers throughout Seattle and western Washington.
44. Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco: This informative blog covers two San Francisco outlets: the de Young and the Legion of Honor museums.

International

45. National Museums Liverpool Blog: This blog is maintained by the staff at National Museums Liverpool and features tons of great links to local attractions.
46. Behind the Scenes: The East Lothian Museums Blog: Another great blog about a British museum, full of history and information about various exhibits.
47. The McMaster Museum of Art Blog: Canada’s McMaster University houses a great museum of art, and this blog is your ticket to learning all about it.
48. Watts Gallery: Curator Mark Bills runs this blog about England’s Watts Gallery.
49. Galt Museum & Archives Blog: This is the official blog for the Galt Museum, located in Alberta, Canada.
50. Aberdeen Art Gallery & Museums: This Scotland museum has a host of blogs maintained by the curators, all of which make for excellent reads.

College is a tricky time: It’s a formative period that often shapes who you are and where you will go, but you don’t realize it until much later. Because of that, it can often help to study the lives and deeds of famous men and women to see where they came from and better understand how a person’s course is created by the world around them. Biographies let us understand people better, which in turn can help us figure out our own path. Here are 25 fascinating biographies that every college student should read and remember.

1. An Unfinished Life: John F. Kennedy, 1917-1963: Robert Dallek enjoyed amazing access to personal documents to create this compelling, masterful biography of one of the most compelling American presidents of all time.
2. Lyndon Johnson and the American Dream: Author Doris Kearns Goodwin has many political volumes to her name, but this one is a cut above. As a member of Johnson’s White House staff, she had a front-row seat for his contentious administration, and her access makes for a gripping biography of a man thrust into the spotlight of leadership.
3. Huey Long: Huey Long, aka "The Kingfish," was a divisive figure in Southern politics in the early 20th century, and would later inspire the central character in Robert Penn Warren’s All the King’s Men. This biography by T. Harry Williams won the Pulitzer Prize and National Book Award for its fascinating profile of a man whose death remains a source of debate.
4. Let it Blurt: The Life & Times of Lester Bangs, America’s Greatest Rock Critic: Arguably one of the best rock critics of all time, and certainly one of the most impassioned, Lester Bangs wrote for Rolling Stone and Creem among other outlets before dying of a drug overdose at 33. Jim Derogatis’ biography is a fantastic portrait of the man whose voice helped define 1970s rock.
5. The Autobiography of Malcolm X: As told to Alex Haley (Roots), the autobiography of Malcolm X is a riveting look at the life and events of one of the biggest figures in the civil rights movement.
6. Truman: David McCullough has won the Pulitzer Prize twice, and the first time was for this sprawling, landmark biography of President Harry Truman.
7. John Adams: This fantastically detailed story of one of the nation’s founding fathers won author David McCullough his second Pulitzer and inspired an HBO miniseries.
8. The Kid Stays in the Picture: Robert Evans racked up credits like The Godfather and Rosemary’s Baby during his peak as a Hollywood producer, and his autobiography is packed with wild and engaging stories about what it was like to get movies made.
9. Peter the Great: His Life and World: This Pulitzer winner from Robert K. Massie takes college students and other readers through Russian history and the rule of one its most infamous rulers.
10. Gandhi, an Autobiography: The Story of My Experiments With Truth: Gandhi’s autobiography is one of the best resources available for students looking to learn more about the leader who pioneered civil disobedience in his quest for social justice.
11. The Power Broker: Robert Moses and the Fall of New York: Author Robert Caro offers a searing look at the life and practices of Robert Moses, an urban planner whose contributions and tactics in the shaping of New York City made him one of the most controversial figures there who never held elected office. A vital read for anyone looking to understand Moses and, by extension, modern New York.
12. Surely You’re Joking, Mr. Feynman! (Adventures of a Curious Character): This autobiography, by turns comic and serious, relates stories from the life of Nobel Prize-winning physicist Richard Feynman, whose work included the Manhattan Project.
13. Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy: Dietrich Bonhoeffer is a renowned theologian, but this biography highlights his formative years as well as his involvement in an attempt to assassinate Adolf Hitler.
14. Mother Jones: The Most Dangerous Woman in America: Mary Harris Jones’ biography details her exploits as one of the most famous union organizers of all time, and her work inspired a magazine that was named after her.
15. Marie Antoinette: The Journey: Antonia Fraser writes about Marie Antoinette with a sharp eye, giving college students a fresh take on the elusive French ruler.
16. Personal History: Katharine Graham led The Washington Post for more than 20 years, and her autobiography talks of her time there during some of the nation’s most difficult periods, including the Watergate scandal. The book won the Pulitzer Prize.
17. The Autobiography of Martin Luther King, Jr.: Arguably the most important figure in the struggle for civil rights in 20th century America, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. led a large life cut short by an assassin. This volume captures his works and thoughts better than almost any other.
18. American Lion: Andrew Jackson in the White House: Newsweek editor Jon Meacham crafts a fantastic portrait of Andrew Jackson, a divisive but important president.
19. The First Tycoon: The Epic Life of Cornelius Vanderbilt: Vanderbilt’s name is synonymous with capitalism and power, and this gripping biography shows how he got his start and played a role in everything from the Civil War to the transportation revolution.
20. The Wilderness Warrior: Theodore Roosevelt and the Crusade for America: Douglas Brinkley writes about Teddy Roosevelt with flair, and this biography highlights his efforts to sustain the shrinking remnants of the American frontier.
21. Churchill: Paul Johnson’s biography is an indispensable account of the life of one the most important figures in global politics of the past 100 years.
22. On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft: Stephen King’s memoir is a great read for college students for two reasons: It’s a well-told autobiography as well as a fantastic primer in what it takes to be a writer.
23. The Diving Bell and the Butterfly: Jean-Dominique Bauby’s autobiography is a stirring testament to resilience: He was left almost completely paralyzed after a car accident and wrote this book by dictating its words one letter at a time by blinking his left eye.
24. Angela’s Ashes: Frank McCourt’s acclaimed autobiography creates a compelling portrait of his poverty-stricken childhood in Ireland.
25. A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius: Dave Eggers burst onto the literary scene with this rule-breaking memoir about his parents’ death and his subsequent efforts to raise his younger brother. A beautiful, hilarious book.

1. They’re human-like: Besides physically resembling a pleasant-looking human being — the Tokyo University of Science-created robot has a chic haircut and pink lipstick — robot teachers can express human emotions through subtle facial movements. The Tokyo "teacher" can express surprise, fear, disgust, anger, happiness and sadness.
2. They’re especially effective with small children: Robot teachers have tested well with children and the elderly, and have even made some small children cry after they’ve been reprimanded by the robot teacher. Generally, Korean scientists are focusing their robots on educating young children, while Japanese engineers prefer to use robots to help the elderly.
3. Robot teachers are being tested on toddlers and preschoolers: Still in the testing stage, robots are practicing their teaching skills on society’s youngest. Scientists are monitoring how robots can share their skills and how toddlers and preschoolers respond to lessons in vocabulary, singing songs, and learning colors.
4. Robots act as a liaison between parents and the classroom: Through a network called telepresence, parents can use the robot teachers or teacher’s assistants to check on their kids in class through telecommunication. Students would have more access to special guest speakers through this technology as well.
5. Robots are already used for teaching English: Many Korean schools use young Americans to teach English classes, but now robot teachers are taking over. According to PlasticPals.com, some robots use speech recognition software, and other robots use telepresence technology, connecting English-language teachers from far away to students in Korean classrooms.
6. They encourage self-paced learning: Robots that operate via telepresence allow students to work at their own pace without too much pressure from hovering teachers who are present in the classroom or who have to keep up with students who pick up on skills and concepts faster.
7. Their interaction skills haven’t been perfected Have you ever been frustrated with a recorded operator when you try to call your bank? Scientists still haven’t perfected teacher robots’ ability to interact with students or even accurately understand what they’re saying. If the robot can’t understand, for example, students will be interrupted with a harsh "Sorry, I didn’t catch that," message until the robot can process it. Through facial recognition software, however, scientists believe that there is potential for more accurate, personalized interaction. When a robot processes a students’ facial expressions, it can immediately respond with its own facial reactions too.
8. Instant feedback: Robots that use speech recognition software can give instant feedback to language students, according to PlasticPals.com. For pronunciation lessons in English classes in Korea, the robots score students from 1 to 5 each time they practice a word or phrase, displaying their score on a screen attached to the robot. This method gives students instant feedback and the opportunity to keep practicing until they get it right.
9. Korea has serious plans to implement robot teachers: Through its progressive "R-Learning" program, Korea has pledged to add robots to some 400 preschools by the year 2012. The robots will serve as teaching assistants, not full-fledged instructors, and help to do roll call, tell stories, sing songs and perform other basic, pre-programmed tasks.
10. They’re not meant to replace human teachers: While some scientists hope that robot teachers may help with the teacher shortage, they’re not meant to fully take over the instructor’s role in the classroom, or as a mentor. In a report by MSNBC, the developer of the Japanese robot, Hiroshi Kobayashi, maintained that Saya "has no intelligence. It has no ability to learn. It has no identity…It is just a tool."