In class we made observations based on the many book covers we saw. Many of the covers were made using duct tape. Some pros to using duct tape are it's cheap, not bulky, and pretty durable. Another book cover we looked at today was made with a yoga mat. Pros to the yoga mat are it's recycled and it creates high friction, which would prevent it from sliding off of a desk if hit. Cons to the yoga mat are it doesn't protect the corners, not durable, and not easily removed. As a whole, a good book cover should be thin, protect the corners of the book, and be durable.
So far we have spent the first 3 days of class discussing how our textbooks should be covered. This assignment is really important and that is why we named it. We saw many different type of book covers all made for the same purposes, but some were better than other. A good book cover needs to protection, aesthetics, durability, identification, and removable. There were many pros to the duct tape covered book cover. This book cover is inexpensive and successful. It has survived and has layers. It also has survived an attack. The only downside about this cover it is really dull and boring.
Today in class we made observations on specific book covers. The one that my group received was the silver duct tape book cover. The person who had made it had applied the duct tape around a book sock and put it on the book so it can be easily removed. Also this book cover was water proof and durable because of the duct tape. The design made the cover slim and it made it protect the spine.The cost of making is book cover is really cheap. The only downside of having this book cover is that the pages on the inside aren't protected and that it looks very uninteresting and lifeless.Overall, this book cover would work great on our physics book!
When first planning our book covers, we decided that protection, aesthetics, durability, identification, and being removable were important factors. While it would be easy to cover a bare book in glitter and stickers to make it pretty, that wouldn't be very practical. We took a look at some previous example covers to make a list of pros and cons. A couple pros that stuck out to me were the QR codes and duct tape. QR codes make identification easier and also add a twenty-first century element to the covers. People have been covering textbooks for many years, so some advancements should have been made. Science is about learning from the past and looking to the future. QR codes are simple and more reliable because they can always be accessed and never rubbed off like pencil or marker. Duct tape is much simpler but it was used on many books, so it is clearly beneficial if so many people used it. It is protective, stays on easily, and can also add to design. With the examples there were also some obvious cons. Thin materials could be ripped and teared, taking away from how protective the book cover is. Thicker materials might be slightly bulkier, but they're also much more protective. When making out final products it is important for us to focus on the best of the pros and avoid the worst of the cons.
While examining book covers, the students were to focus on protection, aesthetics, durability, identification, and removability. The students saw many different book covers, ranging from ones made of duct tape to ones with pillows inside. One made of duct tape was cheap, durable, and showed signs of success, but it was also very bland. One constructed with a yoga mat was very creative but failed at protecting the book. Another made with bubble wrap was a good thought, but in reality, the wrap provided little protection. The final covering turned the book into a pillow. It was comfortable and nice to look at, but increased the bulk of the book. In conclusion, each cover had its good and bad moments.
When we examined book covers, we focused on protection, aesthetics, durability, identification, and whether the cover was removable or not. One of the book covers was a book sock covered in Spider-Man duct tape and stuffed with cotton balls. The cotton balls would prevent the book from getting damaged when it falls, but it made the book very bulky. There was a book cover made out of an old yoga mat, which had a high amount of friction so it wouldn't get knocked off of a table easily. However, it fell apart, was very messy, didn't appear to be durable, flimsy, not easily identified, and provided no protection. There was a third book cover that was an old floppy binder covered in duct tape on the edges and the exterior of the book color. It could be identified by scanning the QR code and it was sturdy, inexpensive, durable, and efficient. However, it was very bland. A good book cover should be durable, removable, inexpensive, and it should provide protection.
The main purpose of the "I got you covered" exercise is to bring the class back to the basics of physics. One of the most important skills every student should be able to accomplish is to make clear and detailed observations. By completing this exercise, students are reintroduced to this concept as they identify the key criteria and characteristics of book covers made from the previous year. Instead of just using a book socks, students are required to be creative and innovative with their covers; this also introduces the basics of engineering. While completing this assignment I noticed that book covers should be able to protect all parts of the textbook while also having water resistant, dust and dirt resistant, durability, aesthetics, and removability properties. Another important property textbooks should have have is identification; identification will only help you if you happen to misplace your book and someone else were to find it. Out of all these traits, aesthetics aren't really as important but they do provide the owner with an eye pleasing textbook. The most important characteristics a book cover should have are protection (for obvious reasons) and durability. What is the point of a book cover if it cannot even do it's simple job, shielding the expensive book from the dangers of everyday life, just kidding, but no I'm serious. One book cover that I had the pleasure of observing was zebra printed and encased in already popped bubble wrap. Although quite pleasing to the eye with the snazzy duct taped, zebra printed wrapping paper, it lacked many other important qualities book covers should have, ya know what I mean. It was ripped! It didn't cover those corners! It wasn't water resistant! It wasn't dirt proof... It was a disappointment. Hopefully this person has learned their lesson because I bet their textbook died halfway through the year.
During class today, we observed several different book covers that students from previous years had made. The key criteria for designing a good book cover are protection, aesthetics, durability, identification, and removability. Other criteria that should be considered when designing a book cover are that the covers should not cost too much, they should be as small as possible and other students should be able to return the book easily if you lose it. Many of the book covers were made using duct tape, which has both pros and cons. Duct tape is cheap, durable, and can be protective if it is put over padding or other protective materials. However, duct tape usually plain colored which makes it look bad and hard to identify. One book cover that was very interesting was the one with the QR code inside it. This makes it very simple for the book to be returned to the owner if it is lost. Another book cover was made using a large binder. The main problem with this cover was that it was several inches longer than the text book which made it way too bulky. Overall, a good book cover must contain all of the key criteria that I have mentioned.
We observed many different book covers during yesterday's and today's classes. The key criteria for the book covers are protection, aesthetics, durability, identification, and removability with the fact that they should not cost a lot and the book should not be bulky. For example, the zebra-styled cover had an original design. The design consisted of different designs that was easily identified. It also had a lot of protection from the bubble wrap. It was durable because of the duct taped corners of the cover. The design was unique and it was as removable as a binder. The items used were cheap and made the book seem light, but there can be problems with it as well. The duct tape can easily be ripped or peeled. If the bubble wrap is popped, it doesn't give the extra protection it needs. Another situation was a the green binder. Even though the binder was easily protected and well protected, it was too bulky. The most controversial situation however was the QR code. If someone loses their book, and they have a QR code, it makes the book unique. HOWEVER, some people may not even know what a QR even is, let alone how to scan it. The key criteria will lead to a great book cover.
All in all, I have to admire the work that previous classes have put into their textbooks. They have put in a considerable amount of time and effort to end up with what they would call an original textbook cover. However, I'm sure they lacked quite a bit of insight that we are so lucky to have. Let's consider this observatory journey to be a continuation of what previous years have already started. It is all part of the same process, let's say, to make the best textbook cover possible. We were given their trials as something to base our own off of. We were given examples. They were not. They had to create the textbook covers themselves, with possibly an idea of what those covers were supposed to look like, but no other models to base their covers off of. With that advantage in our pockets, we have a pretty solid idea of what our textbook covers should resemble. These textbooks actually served their purpose for the most part. The bubble wrap was a pretty ingenious idea; it's definitely something to consider for my own cover. The duct tape kept the wrap fairly well bound, and in some cases, offered an aesthetically pleasing view. Made physics look exciting. As far as functionality goes, there were quite a few problems with getting the covers off. A professionally made book sock is fairly easy to put on and definitely easy to take off. There were complaints about the bulkiness of some textbooks with the more padded book covers which I understand for the most part. However, with the florescent green book, it is no larger than an average binder, so I'm not sure what all the fuss was about. For identification purposes, I would write my name on both the cover and the inside, because you never know where someone might look for a name... You just never, ever know... Honestly, I'd say the previous classes did a pretty swell job with creating their textbooks, but now it's our turn to undergo the process, and HERE IS HOW WE CAN MAKE OUR BOOKS BETTER: Let's try to work off of the Verizon phone cases, folks. Those overpriced, morphed pieces of plastic are pretty solid. With a screen protector, my iPhone 5 will always stand a chance against the rough terrain of my driveway and the deep waters of my toilet. Why? Because they are thin, yet sturdy. (And aesthetically pleasing!) My little piece of black gold has lasted me a solid two years. It grips my phone so tightly, while my screen protector is like a Trojan shield, fighting away any debris that dares to attempt destruction upon my cellular device. The Life Proof cases are also fantastic when it comes to protection. WOAH. What if we blended the two ideas together? I could use saran wrap as a base, maybe double coat it? That could be used to protect the book under the aesthetically pleasing front and back covers. It can be so easy to combine innovation and design. How fitting is it that the iPhone 6 is expected to be shown to the press tomorrow? So fitting. This activity has taught us so much about engineering and how some simple observations and questions can lead to the ideal product being made. Maybe the world's best book cover won't emerge from our class, but who knows, maybe next year? Next year's sophomores can base their designs off of ours. We are inspiring the future of book sock innovation. It all starts here. Peace.
During the "I Got You Covered" activity, we observed a number of different textbook covers that were created in an attempt to accurately include the following properties to ensure an effective book cover: protection, aesthetics, durability, identification, and able to be removed from the textbook. Although all of these criteria are important characteristics for a book cover, the least important of these five would have to be the aesthetics of it. It is nice for a textbook to have some outward appeal to its user, however, the qualities of being durable and protecting the actual book are far more important than just how it looks. If a text book cover is lacking in aesthetics, but it is durable and able to protect the book, I would choose it over a textbook that is nice to look at but cannot protect my textbook well. The most important criteria for a book cover would have to be the protection that it offers. Yes, criteria such as durability and identification are still extremely important, but the purpose of a book cover is to protect its content, and if it cannot do that, it is not ideal. An example of a less aesthetically pleasing book cover, but a durable one, would be the book cover with a blue folder as its base, silver duct tape on top, and a QR code on the top. This book cover "covers" 4/5 key criteria:
1) It protects the book - quite well at that. The plastic, hard folder as the base and the additional silver duct tape is not only sturdy, but it is also water and dirt resistant. 2) It is also durable, as the hard shelled folder provides the book with a thick(er) outer layer to deflect aging. 3) The identification criteria is fulfilled through the handy QR code that was pasted on top of the silver duct tape. When it was scanned, it provided the user with the name and information of the original owner. The book also had the owner's original name written on the top with permanent marker, and although it may wear after time, it is a standard form of identification. However, some people may just look at the QR as a decal for the cover and may not actually utilize it if were to be lost. Because of this, the owner could have put more effort in a more permanent way to identify the book - such as putting all of their details on the cover (classroom, teacher, year) in both the inside and outside of the cover. 4) The textbook's cover is also removable, but not the type where it slides off easily. With some more effort, the book cover can come off, and it is also a good thing that the cover is not loose.
The one criteria that was not covered was aesthetics, although I do not really mind the silver duct tape over top. For some people, the gray may be hideous, but for me, since the book cover does an excellent job, I do not mind.
On Monday, we examined a variety of textbooks that had been creatively protected by past students. The purpose of the activity was to determine the importance, improvements, and flaws in making your own book cover. A main pro for these book covers was that it made each and every textbook easily distinguishable from one another. The originality of each creation can help spare time and avoid confusion by providing a sense of organization when going to your locker for the books that you will need for class. I honestly don't think that a Spider-man themed book cover could ever be easily neglected or forgotten... Another positive factor for making these book covers is that you can better protect the binding and corners of your book compared to regular book socks. One of the covers that I examined consisted of a yoga mat entirely covering the book and also a book sock as a second layer. Since a yoga mat is not always durable when only using it by itself to protect the book, the person reinforced the structure with the classic book sock on top. However, the addition of the book sock does not allow the yoga mat's friction to help keep it on tables.While opening another textbook, I acknowledged the use of QR codes. This helped secure the textbook for its owner if it happens to get lost or misplaced. But, this method is only partially successful since it is only optional for whoever finds it if they want to scan it. It is best to also label it on the inside and outside,so you won't need a cellphone to assure your book's safe return. A flaw that I noticed while analyzing the covers was that every single one seemed to only focus on protecting the corners and binding. What's the use of a textbook if you can't access the information on its pages? Almost every cover failed to protect the exposed part of the textbook pages. I think that the addition of a possible plastic flap from the binding and around the inner sides could protect the pages from any liquids or other dangers. This bendable plastic flap could possibly be attached with velcro from one side of the binding and around to the other. It could be removed when you are using the book and then replaced when you are finished. Although I do think that the binding and corners are crucial to the textbook's safety, I also think that we should prioritize the protection of the pages and information inside.
We have identified the purpose of covering a science book as a key criteria. Since people cover their science books in different ways, there are proficiencies and deficiencies for covering a book in a certain way. That's why, during class period we have observed different book covers. We identified the different strengths and weaknesses of each book. We also compared a covered book, with book that wasn't covered. Immediately, our group recognized that the uncovered book had damaged edges. The edges of the covered books were ambiguously sharp. This showed that most covers would help a book maintain its durability, and aesthetics. The book covers that we observed had the following positive sides: Identification and Security, organization, protection of the book (especially on sides), (only if you put yoga mats or wraps) carrying comfort, and high longevity of the book. The positive side that impacted me the most is the identification and security. A lot of people were talking about taking extra safety measurements such as a QR code. But I realized that putting -1) you name, 2) your class and classroom teacher, and 3) your fiscal school year- can reduce the chances of someone losing your book. The teachers at Mainland are usually the ones that encounter a missing book. So the teachers are most likely to look at the name of the classroom teacher and return it to them (this is usually the case). So just by looking at the standards, your book cover offers a lot of security even if it doesn't have a QR code. The negative sides of the book covers that we have encountered are: space consumption, taping which lowers book durability, the covers are most likely not strong enough to last for 10 months, time consumption, and weight and bulkiness. I looked at the weight and bulkiness as a serious weakness of a book cover because these factors are also related to space consumption listed above. The covers and the extra protection such as bubble wrap not only add an incredible about of weight (at least 2 pounds), but take up a serious amount of volume of the backpack. For a student who is taking two or three science courses, they have to carry at least a few pounds of additional weight. The volume of the books with covers will also take up enormous volumes of locker space. So, an athlete will have some difficulties fitting their sports materials in their locker. Overall, the positive sides of the book cover will contribute to the protection and durability of the book cover.
In class over the past couple of days we have been working with the exercise "I Got You Covered". The purpose of the exercise is to examine past book covers made by past students to give us ideas for our own textbook covers. We came up with five purposes of the textbook cover and those are protection, aesthetics, durability, identification, and removability- the most important purpose being protection. With each of the different book covers we examined, each had some pros and some cons. For example, one made of silver duct tape and a book cover had the pros of being water resistant, removable, durable, protecting the spine, and not bulky. On the other hand, it had cons of not protecting the pages and being dull/ not aesthetically pleasing. Just like this book cover had pros and cons, so did all of the other ones.
Throughout the past couple of days, in class, we have been discussion how to make the best book cover. After seeing many examples, some pros and cons became obvious. Some of the main pros i noticed were a cover that attached well to the book protected better. This made it impossible for the book to fall out. The slimmer covers are also more easily transported. Duct tape seems to be the most reliable covering, since it is durable, water proof, and can be aesthetically pleasing. Duct tape also makes it easy to personalize books. identification is also a need for the cover. Some cons include weak support at the spine, tearing, unprotected corners, and the book falling out of the case.
Over the past couple of days, we have been discussing different ways you can create a book cover. We examined many book covers created by students in the past and picked out their pros and cons. Doing this helped us to see what were good and bad for our own future book cover. Ideas we looked at were the bulkiness, texture, heaviness, appearance, durability, along with other aspects of book covers. Duct tape seemed to be the biggest material used on the book due to its strong stick on the book and durability. Pros included the durability of the textbook, the appearance, identification, some could be water proof, and can be made personal. Cons were the size for some, the dirtiness of the cover, and the wear and tear on the cover.
Being able to identify and classify parts of an object and what makes that object successful in doing its job is one of the main ideas of physics. Over the past few days we have been identifying and classifying what makes a good protective book cover. In order to do this we made pro and con lists. Looking at some of my results and also what people have said before me, the duct tape seemed to be one of the most efficient ways to cover the book cheaply and with good results. It won't rip easily and it is a nice texture. Texture and durability were just two factors we took into consideration. We also noted the cover's bulkiness, appearance, friction, and weight. It is difficult to capture the perfect balance of all these factors into just one textbook cover. We also noted that it is extremely important that the corners are protected perhaps above all else. The corners are the most easily damaged part of the book and they look the ugliest when damaged. No one wants ripped up corners. It was also a very good idea to print out a QR code that could be put directly on the outside of the cover for easy identification if the book is ever stolen or lost. It's important to take in a multitude of key factors when planning how to protect your textbook, and still not over due it.
The covers that we looked over in class were very creative and a good amount of them looked as if they did a good job of protecting the book and a lot had their own creative twist. I believe that some of these things were pretty useless... maybe even not worth the effort. The pillow cover gave the book added protection but it was bulky and would be a challenge to carry around with all the other books us students have. I also believe that the QR codes were somewhat useless. Most of the people I know wouldn't bother to scan it let alone download the app for it. I like getting the job done without using to much effort. That is why book socks are made the way they are. They are easy to use and get the job done. It's isn't always about working hard, sometimes you have to work smart.
I agree but how much protection does a book sock offer? The other thing is that people tried to add additional functionality. Kinda like a Swiss Army knife. http://m.kohls.com/kohlsopenapi/productmobile.html?productID=1560384/Americana-by-Elite-3-in-1-Mini-Breakfast-Shoppe.jsp?ci_mcc=ci&srccode=cii_17588969&cpncode=34-240601277-2&CID=shopping15
Covering your textbook using innovative materials besides a book sock can be cost efficient, provide better protection and help further distinguish your textbooks from others who might share the same book cover. In class we have discussed the most important factors for putting a cover on your textbook; mainly for aesthetics and protection to help the textbooks last longer. Creating a durable book cover that will last the entire year isn’t a complicated task and doing so will ensure your textbook stays protected. Comparing the textbooks from the previous years class, there were some concepts that seemed to hold together and preserve the textbook more so than others. Attaching the textbooks to the inside of binders may seem like a great idea in theory, but I personally think the binders leave a majority of the textbooks exposed (the open edges around the textbook) and would find in troublesome to have to carry around or fit another binder into my school bag. Although it is a cheap solution to the book sock problem, there are more effective ways to cover your textbook. Covering your textbook in a book sock and then using duct tape to add additional decorations and personality makes for an one of a kind book cover. By adding a soft material underneath the book sock, like a yoga mat used in one cover from last years class, you’re almost guaranteeing that no damage can be done to your textbook. Also, the slick and water resistant material of the duct tape would prevent spills from ruining the outside of your textbooks. Book socks may be an easy way to cover your textbook, but going the extra mile with a personalized man-made cover can make certain your textbook stays in excellent condition.
In class we made observations based on the many book covers we saw. Many of the covers were made using duct tape. Some pros to using duct tape are it's cheap, not bulky, and pretty durable. Another book cover we looked at today was made with a yoga mat. Pros to the yoga mat are it's recycled and it creates high friction, which would prevent it from sliding off of a desk if hit. Cons to the yoga mat are it doesn't protect the corners, not durable, and not easily removed. As a whole, a good book cover should be thin, protect the corners of the book, and be durable.
ReplyDeleteSo far we have spent the first 3 days of class discussing how our textbooks should be covered. This assignment is really important and that is why we named it. We saw many different type of book covers all made for the same purposes, but some were better than other. A good book cover needs to protection, aesthetics, durability, identification, and removable. There were many pros to the duct tape covered book cover. This book cover is inexpensive and successful. It has survived and has layers. It also has survived an attack. The only downside about this cover it is really dull and boring.
ReplyDeleteToday in class we made observations on specific book covers. The one that my group received was the silver duct tape book cover. The person who had made it had applied the duct tape around a book sock and put it on the book so it can be easily removed. Also this book cover was water proof and durable because of the duct tape. The design made the cover slim and it made it protect the spine.The cost of making is book cover is really cheap. The only downside of having this book cover is that the pages on the inside aren't protected and that it looks very uninteresting and lifeless.Overall, this book cover would work great on our physics book!
ReplyDeleteWhen first planning our book covers, we decided that protection, aesthetics, durability, identification, and being removable were important factors. While it would be easy to cover a bare book in glitter and stickers to make it pretty, that wouldn't be very practical. We took a look at some previous example covers to make a list of pros and cons. A couple pros that stuck out to me were the QR codes and duct tape. QR codes make identification easier and also add a twenty-first century element to the covers. People have been covering textbooks for many years, so some advancements should have been made. Science is about learning from the past and looking to the future. QR codes are simple and more reliable because they can always be accessed and never rubbed off like pencil or marker. Duct tape is much simpler but it was used on many books, so it is clearly beneficial if so many people used it. It is protective, stays on easily, and can also add to design. With the examples there were also some obvious cons. Thin materials could be ripped and teared, taking away from how protective the book cover is. Thicker materials might be slightly bulkier, but they're also much more protective. When making out final products it is important for us to focus on the best of the pros and avoid the worst of the cons.
ReplyDeleteWhile examining book covers, the students were to focus on protection, aesthetics, durability, identification, and removability. The students saw many different book covers, ranging from ones made of duct tape to ones with pillows inside. One made of duct tape was cheap, durable, and showed signs of success, but it was also very bland. One constructed with a yoga mat was very creative but failed at protecting the book. Another made with bubble wrap was a good thought, but in reality, the wrap provided little protection. The final covering turned the book into a pillow. It was comfortable and nice to look at, but increased the bulk of the book. In conclusion, each cover had its good and bad moments.
ReplyDeleteSo which do you feel is the most important? Prioritize.
ReplyDeleteThe protection is the most important. The book cover is used to shield the book from any damage, so it should be very protective.
DeleteWhen we examined book covers, we focused on protection, aesthetics, durability, identification, and whether the cover was removable or not. One of the book covers was a book sock covered in Spider-Man duct tape and stuffed with cotton balls. The cotton balls would prevent the book from getting damaged when it falls, but it made the book very bulky. There was a book cover made out of an old yoga mat, which had a high amount of friction so it wouldn't get knocked off of a table easily. However, it fell apart, was very messy, didn't appear to be durable, flimsy, not easily identified, and provided no protection. There was a third book cover that was an old floppy binder covered in duct tape on the edges and the exterior of the book color. It could be identified by scanning the QR code and it was sturdy, inexpensive, durable, and efficient. However, it was very bland.
ReplyDeleteA good book cover should be durable, removable, inexpensive, and it should provide protection.
The main purpose of the "I got you covered" exercise is to bring the class back to the basics of physics. One of the most important skills every student should be able to accomplish is to make clear and detailed observations. By completing this exercise, students are reintroduced to this concept as they identify the key criteria and characteristics of book covers made from the previous year. Instead of just using a book socks, students are required to be creative and innovative with their covers; this also introduces the basics of engineering. While completing this assignment I noticed that book covers should be able to protect all parts of the textbook while also having water resistant, dust and dirt resistant, durability, aesthetics, and removability properties. Another important property textbooks should have have is identification; identification will only help you if you happen to misplace your book and someone else were to find it. Out of all these traits, aesthetics aren't really as important but they do provide the owner with an eye pleasing textbook. The most important characteristics a book cover should have are protection (for obvious reasons) and durability. What is the point of a book cover if it cannot even do it's simple job, shielding the expensive book from the dangers of everyday life, just kidding, but no I'm serious. One book cover that I had the pleasure of observing was zebra printed and encased in already popped bubble wrap. Although quite pleasing to the eye with the snazzy duct taped, zebra printed wrapping paper, it lacked many other important qualities book covers should have, ya know what I mean. It was ripped! It didn't cover those corners! It wasn't water resistant! It wasn't dirt proof... It was a disappointment. Hopefully this person has learned their lesson because I bet their textbook died halfway through the year.
ReplyDeleteDuring class today, we observed several different book covers that students from previous years had made. The key criteria for designing a good book cover are protection, aesthetics, durability, identification, and removability. Other criteria that should be considered when designing a book cover are that the covers should not cost too much, they should be as small as possible and other students should be able to return the book easily if you lose it. Many of the book covers were made using duct tape, which has both pros and cons. Duct tape is cheap, durable, and can be protective if it is put over padding or other protective materials. However, duct tape usually plain colored which makes it look bad and hard to identify. One book cover that was very interesting was the one with the QR code inside it. This makes it very simple for the book to be returned to the owner if it is lost. Another book cover was made using a large binder. The main problem with this cover was that it was several inches longer than the text book which made it way too bulky. Overall, a good book cover must contain all of the key criteria that I have mentioned.
ReplyDeleteWe observed many different book covers during yesterday's and today's classes. The key criteria for the book covers are protection, aesthetics, durability, identification, and removability with the fact that they should not cost a lot and the book should not be bulky. For example, the zebra-styled cover had an original design. The design consisted of different designs that was easily identified. It also had a lot of protection from the bubble wrap. It was durable because of the duct taped corners of the cover. The design was unique and it was as removable as a binder. The items used were cheap and made the book seem light, but there can be problems with it as well. The duct tape can easily be ripped or peeled. If the bubble wrap is popped, it doesn't give the extra protection it needs. Another situation was a the green binder. Even though the binder was easily protected and well protected, it was too bulky. The most controversial situation however was the QR code. If someone loses their book, and they have a QR code, it makes the book unique. HOWEVER, some people may not even know what a QR even is, let alone how to scan it. The key criteria will lead to a great book cover.
ReplyDeleteAll in all, I have to admire the work that previous classes have put into their textbooks. They have put in a considerable amount of time and effort to end up with what they would call an original textbook cover. However, I'm sure they lacked quite a bit of insight that we are so lucky to have. Let's consider this observatory journey to be a continuation of what previous years have already started. It is all part of the same process, let's say, to make the best textbook cover possible. We were given their trials as something to base our own off of. We were given examples. They were not. They had to create the textbook covers themselves, with possibly an idea of what those covers were supposed to look like, but no other models to base their covers off of. With that advantage in our pockets, we have a pretty solid idea of what our textbook covers should resemble. These textbooks actually served their purpose for the most part. The bubble wrap was a pretty ingenious idea; it's definitely something to consider for my own cover. The duct tape kept the wrap fairly well bound, and in some cases, offered an aesthetically pleasing view. Made physics look exciting. As far as functionality goes, there were quite a few problems with getting the covers off. A professionally made book sock is fairly easy to put on and definitely easy to take off. There were complaints about the bulkiness of some textbooks with the more padded book covers which I understand for the most part. However, with the florescent green book, it is no larger than an average binder, so I'm not sure what all the fuss was about. For identification purposes, I would write my name on both the cover and the inside, because you never know where someone might look for a name... You just never, ever know... Honestly, I'd say the previous classes did a pretty swell job with creating their textbooks, but now it's our turn to undergo the process, and HERE IS HOW WE CAN MAKE OUR BOOKS BETTER: Let's try to work off of the Verizon phone cases, folks. Those overpriced, morphed pieces of plastic are pretty solid. With a screen protector, my iPhone 5 will always stand a chance against the rough terrain of my driveway and the deep waters of my toilet. Why? Because they are thin, yet sturdy. (And aesthetically pleasing!) My little piece of black gold has lasted me a solid two years. It grips my phone so tightly, while my screen protector is like a Trojan shield, fighting away any debris that dares to attempt destruction upon my cellular device. The Life Proof cases are also fantastic when it comes to protection. WOAH. What if we blended the two ideas together? I could use saran wrap as a base, maybe double coat it? That could be used to protect the book under the aesthetically pleasing front and back covers. It can be so easy to combine innovation and design. How fitting is it that the iPhone 6 is expected to be shown to the press tomorrow? So fitting. This activity has taught us so much about engineering and how some simple observations and questions can lead to the ideal product being made. Maybe the world's best book cover won't emerge from our class, but who knows, maybe next year? Next year's sophomores can base their designs off of ours. We are inspiring the future of book sock innovation. It all starts here. Peace.
ReplyDeleteDuring the "I Got You Covered" activity, we observed a number of different textbook covers that were created in an attempt to accurately include the following properties to ensure an effective book cover: protection, aesthetics, durability, identification, and able to be removed from the textbook. Although all of these criteria are important characteristics for a book cover, the least important of these five would have to be the aesthetics of it. It is nice for a textbook to have some outward appeal to its user, however, the qualities of being durable and protecting the actual book are far more important than just how it looks. If a text book cover is lacking in aesthetics, but it is durable and able to protect the book, I would choose it over a textbook that is nice to look at but cannot protect my textbook well. The most important criteria for a book cover would have to be the protection that it offers. Yes, criteria such as durability and identification are still extremely important, but the purpose of a book cover is to protect its content, and if it cannot do that, it is not ideal. An example of a less aesthetically pleasing book cover, but a durable one, would be the book cover with a blue folder as its base, silver duct tape on top, and a QR code on the top. This book cover "covers" 4/5 key criteria:
ReplyDelete1) It protects the book - quite well at that. The plastic, hard folder as the base and the additional silver duct tape is not only sturdy, but it is also water and dirt resistant.
2) It is also durable, as the hard shelled folder provides the book with a thick(er) outer layer to deflect aging.
3) The identification criteria is fulfilled through the handy QR code that was pasted on top of the silver duct tape. When it was scanned, it provided the user with the name and information of the original owner. The book also had the owner's original name written on the top with permanent marker, and although it may wear after time, it is a standard form of identification. However, some people may just look at the QR as a decal for the cover and may not actually utilize it if were to be lost. Because of this, the owner could have put more effort in a more permanent way to identify the book - such as putting all of their details on the cover (classroom, teacher, year) in both the inside and outside of the cover.
4) The textbook's cover is also removable, but not the type where it slides off easily. With some more effort, the book cover can come off, and it is also a good thing that the cover is not loose.
The one criteria that was not covered was aesthetics, although I do not really mind the silver duct tape over top. For some people, the gray may be hideous, but for me, since the book cover does an excellent job, I do not mind.
On Monday, we examined a variety of textbooks that had been creatively protected by past students. The purpose of the activity was to determine the importance, improvements, and flaws in making your own book cover. A main pro for these book covers was that it made each and every textbook easily distinguishable from one another. The originality of each creation can help spare time and avoid confusion by providing a sense of organization when going to your locker for the books that you will need for class. I honestly don't think that a Spider-man themed book cover could ever be easily neglected or forgotten... Another positive factor for making these book covers is that you can better protect the binding and corners of your book compared to regular book socks. One of the covers that I examined consisted of a yoga mat entirely covering the book and also a book sock as a second layer. Since a yoga mat is not always durable when only using it by itself to protect the book, the person reinforced the structure with the classic book sock on top. However, the addition of the book sock does not allow the yoga mat's friction to help keep it on tables.While opening another textbook, I acknowledged the use of QR codes. This helped secure the textbook for its owner if it happens to get lost or misplaced. But, this method is only partially successful since it is only optional for whoever finds it if they want to scan it. It is best to also label it on the inside and outside,so you won't need a cellphone to assure your book's safe return. A flaw that I noticed while analyzing the covers was that every single one seemed to only focus on protecting the corners and binding. What's the use of a textbook if you can't access the information on its pages? Almost every cover failed to protect the exposed part of the textbook pages. I think that the addition of a possible plastic flap from the binding and around the inner sides could protect the pages from any liquids or other dangers. This bendable plastic flap could possibly be attached with velcro from one side of the binding and around to the other. It could be removed when you are using the book and then replaced when you are finished. Although I do think that the binding and corners are crucial to the textbook's safety, I also think that we should prioritize the protection of the pages and information inside.
ReplyDeleteWe have identified the purpose of covering a science book as a key criteria. Since people cover their science books in different ways, there are proficiencies and deficiencies for covering a book in a certain way. That's why, during class period we have observed different book covers. We identified the different strengths and weaknesses of each book. We also compared a covered book, with book that wasn't covered. Immediately, our group recognized that the uncovered book had damaged edges. The edges of the covered books were ambiguously sharp. This showed that most covers would help a book maintain its durability, and aesthetics. The book covers that we observed had the following positive sides: Identification and Security, organization, protection of the book (especially on sides), (only if you put yoga mats or wraps) carrying comfort, and high longevity of the book. The positive side that impacted me the most is the identification and security. A lot of people were talking about taking extra safety measurements such as a QR code. But I realized that putting -1) you name, 2) your class and classroom teacher, and 3) your fiscal school year- can reduce the chances of someone losing your book. The teachers at Mainland are usually the ones that encounter a missing book. So the teachers are most likely to look at the name of the classroom teacher and return it to them (this is usually the case). So just by looking at the standards, your book cover offers a lot of security even if it doesn't have a QR code. The negative sides of the book covers that we have encountered are: space consumption, taping which lowers book durability, the covers are most likely not strong enough to last for 10 months, time consumption, and weight and bulkiness. I looked at the weight and bulkiness as a serious weakness of a book cover because these factors are also related to space consumption listed above. The covers and the extra protection such as bubble wrap not only add an incredible about of weight (at least 2 pounds), but take up a serious amount of volume of the backpack. For a student who is taking two or three science courses, they have to carry at least a few pounds of additional weight. The volume of the books with covers will also take up enormous volumes of locker space. So, an athlete will have some difficulties fitting their sports materials in their locker. Overall, the positive sides of the book cover will contribute to the protection and durability of the book cover.
ReplyDeleteIn class over the past couple of days we have been working with the exercise "I Got You Covered". The purpose of the exercise is to examine past book covers made by past students to give us ideas for our own textbook covers. We came up with five purposes of the textbook cover and those are protection, aesthetics, durability, identification, and removability- the most important purpose being protection. With each of the different book covers we examined, each had some pros and some cons. For example, one made of silver duct tape and a book cover had the pros of being water resistant, removable, durable, protecting the spine, and not bulky. On the other hand, it had cons of not protecting the pages and being dull/ not aesthetically pleasing. Just like this book cover had pros and cons, so did all of the other ones.
ReplyDeleteThroughout the past couple of days, in class, we have been discussion how to make the best book cover. After seeing many examples, some pros and cons became obvious. Some of the main pros i noticed were a cover that attached well to the book protected better. This made it impossible for the book to fall out. The slimmer covers are also more easily transported. Duct tape seems to be the most reliable covering, since it is durable, water proof, and can be aesthetically pleasing. Duct tape also makes it easy to personalize books. identification is also a need for the cover. Some cons include weak support at the spine, tearing, unprotected corners, and the book falling out of the case.
ReplyDeleteOver the past couple of days, we have been discussing different ways you can create a book cover. We examined many book covers created by students in the past and picked out their pros and cons. Doing this helped us to see what were good and bad for our own future book cover. Ideas we looked at were the bulkiness, texture, heaviness, appearance, durability, along with other aspects of book covers. Duct tape seemed to be the biggest material used on the book due to its strong stick on the book and durability. Pros included the durability of the textbook, the appearance, identification, some could be water proof, and can be made personal. Cons were the size for some, the dirtiness of the cover, and the wear and tear on the cover.
ReplyDeleteBeing able to identify and classify parts of an object and what makes that object successful in doing its job is one of the main ideas of physics. Over the past few days we have been identifying and classifying what makes a good protective book cover. In order to do this we made pro and con lists. Looking at some of my results and also what people have said before me, the duct tape seemed to be one of the most efficient ways to cover the book cheaply and with good results. It won't rip easily and it is a nice texture. Texture and durability were just two factors we took into consideration. We also noted the cover's bulkiness, appearance, friction, and weight. It is difficult to capture the perfect balance of all these factors into just one textbook cover. We also noted that it is extremely important that the corners are protected perhaps above all else. The corners are the most easily damaged part of the book and they look the ugliest when damaged. No one wants ripped up corners. It was also a very good idea to print out a QR code that could be put directly on the outside of the cover for easy identification if the book is ever stolen or lost. It's important to take in a multitude of key factors when planning how to protect your textbook, and still not over due it.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThe covers that we looked over in class were very creative and a good amount of them looked as if they did a good job of protecting the book and a lot had their own creative twist. I believe that some of these things were pretty useless... maybe even not worth the effort. The pillow cover gave the book added protection but it was bulky and would be a challenge to carry around with all the other books us students have. I also believe that the QR codes were somewhat useless. Most of the people I know wouldn't bother to scan it let alone download the app for it. I like getting the job done without using to much effort. That is why book socks are made the way they are. They are easy to use and get the job done. It's isn't always about working hard, sometimes you have to work smart.
ReplyDeleteI agree but how much protection does a book sock offer? The other thing is that people tried to add additional functionality. Kinda like a Swiss Army knife. http://m.kohls.com/kohlsopenapi/productmobile.html?productID=1560384/Americana-by-Elite-3-in-1-Mini-Breakfast-Shoppe.jsp?ci_mcc=ci&srccode=cii_17588969&cpncode=34-240601277-2&CID=shopping15
ReplyDeleteCovering your textbook using innovative materials besides a book sock can be cost efficient, provide better protection and help further distinguish your textbooks from others who might share the same book cover. In class we have discussed the most important factors for putting a cover on your textbook; mainly for aesthetics and protection to help the textbooks last longer. Creating a durable book cover that will last the entire year isn’t a complicated task and doing so will ensure your textbook stays protected. Comparing the textbooks from the previous years class, there were some concepts that seemed to hold together and preserve the textbook more so than others. Attaching the textbooks to the inside of binders may seem like a great idea in theory, but I personally think the binders leave a majority of the textbooks exposed (the open edges around the textbook) and would find in troublesome to have to carry around or fit another binder into my school bag. Although it is a cheap solution to the book sock problem, there are more effective ways to cover your textbook. Covering your textbook in a book sock and then using duct tape to add additional decorations and personality makes for an one of a kind book cover. By adding a soft material underneath the book sock, like a yoga mat used in one cover from last years class, you’re almost guaranteeing that no damage can be done to your textbook. Also, the slick and water resistant material of the duct tape would prevent spills from ruining the outside of your textbooks. Book socks may be an easy way to cover your textbook, but going the extra mile with a personalized man-made cover can make certain your textbook stays in excellent condition.
ReplyDelete