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1.  

   Snedecor F distribution

   

   dorpus, Dec 20th, 2004 @ 2:11am

   
   

   Why not let kids view their own actions as a simple Poisson process, and compare their variance as a Snedecor F distribution? All the timers could be viewed as a Borel set, and they can experience firsthand the difference between convergence by probability and convergence by near certainty. Of course, that's if the kids wouldn't rather get a math workbook and brocolli sticks for christmas.
   

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2.  

   utilitarian toys

   

   Tim, Dec 20th, 2004 @ 3:12pm

   
   

   While I'm generally not fond of excessive utilitarianism in gifts, I should point out that days were when spinning/whipping tops and gyroscopes were acceptable donations, to say nothing of Simon (http://www.hasbro.com/simon/pl/page.newscelebrate/dn/default.cfm) decade or two ago. Of course, it's possible for such a thing to be cheesy or tacky, but don't confuse that with geekishness :)

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3.  

   time tracker

   

   Michael Paul Goldenberg, Dec 21st, 2004 @ 10:14pm

   
   

   I just read the TIMES piece, reprinted in my local paper. I am a harsh critic of testing mania and was struck by the fact that the demand for this product seemed to focus on making kids "more fit" for the kind of life their Social Darwinist parents envision for them.
   
   Interestingly, I was attracted to this product for a different reason. My son, 9, has a hard time recognizing the passage of time. I'm not concerned with how this might effect his ability to compete for an elite spot at some hot-shot college. I am concerned about how this impacts the way he becomes engrossed in video games, cartoons, etc. and honestly appears to have no sense of the vast amounts of time he spends if left to his own devices. Of course, I can impose external limits and I can be the timekeeper, or I can ban TV or video games, but I'm not inclined to take those latter absolute measures. What I'd like is for him to be more aware of the decisions he's making, and if getting a better sense of time will increase his conscious choice-making, I see that as a positive thing. Whether something like the Time Tracker will make a significant difference in that regard I'm not sure, but I think it's worth considering.

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4.  

   Re: time tracker

   

   Jon, Dec 27th, 2004 @ 12:55am

   
   

   I am a college student studying psychology writing to let you know your son is not the only one who has trouble pacing himself w/TV and video games, as quite frankly many students I have met (including those at the Ivy League school I attend) spend hours engrossed in both those activities. The key is to have other activities which he can enjoy or needs to do lined up so he WANTS to pace himself. The next best method after having activities he enjoys to positively reinforce time management is to show the negative consequences of not pacing himself: failing to complete important activities, etc. Good luck and hope you post whether or not the Time Tracker helps.

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5.  

   Timer

   

   Eric Roberts, Jan 6th, 2005 @ 11:06am

   
   

   I agree...if this is what toys have come to, I want my red fire truck back. What a hideous development.
   

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