Straying a bit more off of Japan...

So I got a reply from the Position A instructor:

Hello Xander

Your interests seem perfectly aligned with mine (and those of my colleagues). Given that and your enthusiasm, you sound like a great fit for the lab. Please send a resume that includes grades in relevant coursework (e.g., 100A and 100B), and we'll set up a time for an interview -- during which it will be much easier to describe in detail the position and what your tasks as a research assistant would be.

The research itself is quite varied, although it usually relates to determining optimal conditions of instruction. To give but one example, we are studying whether and when one should drop flash cards from a deck that is being studied, and the frequency with which one should revisit that deck. One of the many great features of our lab is that you learn several tactics that will improve your grades in other coursework. You also get many opportunities to talk to professors who are pioneers in this and related fields (and their up-and-coming graduate students, of course).

My schedule is currently completely bonkers. Generally, the only time I'm available to meet is Monday, from 10a to 2p. If that won't work for you, we can set up an appointment for some other time, but I'll have to finagle my schedule in order to do so. Either way, I look forward to meeting you.

Matt

I think I've decided to go with Position A, the pedagogy one. I already have a lot of videogame industry experience, but next to no actual cognitive science lab experiments. Thus, I feel like this is a better learning opportunity for me, rather than simply QAing (Quality Assuring, aka game testing) for my class credit - though the prospect of playing games for class credit IS very tempting ^_<

Anyways, back on Japanese - Tomorrow a bunch of us will be going to Disey Sea, an original Japanese theme park. From what I hear it's more adult-oriented than Disney Land, with a lot of shows and restaurants and such. Also, the rides are supposed to be a bit more thrilling - most excellent! We depart tomorrow at 5:30 AM from Tsuru and stay till about midnight. It's about a 2 hour ride and we're taking a big group bus. Should be a lot of fun, I can hardly wait!