Top Ten Questions for Irene

[judygram]

CeasarDad wanted Dan to start this thread, but I beat him to the punch, sorry Dan, but this is in my area of expertise, I mean room.

 

We may have to act fast if and when Irene Pepperburg is able to come on this site and answer questions, and we want to be prepared. It will probably be easier to have specific questions to ask her and so I am asking everyone to come up with some questions you want answered and we will make a list of the top ten. So think fast and post your questions and we will be ready for her when the time comes.<br><br>Post edited by: judygram, at: 2007/07/30 02:46

[CeasarsDad]

Excellent Judy... This could be important what that day comes.. We as a group should have some main questions that we need answered.. Of course, answers to these questions could spur new questions... but I think having a frame work is important..

[Toni]

Is she the one doing research on the African Grey Alex? Not sure but I thought I heard that name and I only know of two smart African Greybirds. Alex and Einstein.

[Talon]

One question I would be interested in is:

 

How long of a duration (time wise) on daily basis, is spent training Alex?

[Guest briansmum]

good one talon

 

i would like to ask her where she started by which i mean what was the first thing she began teaching alex? and if she could reccomend a good way for anyone else to begin teaching their grey in a similar way

[CeasarsDad]

See that.. 2 very good questions right off the bat.. We are still missing 8..

[judygram]

Yes, we need 8 more questions to ask Irene, I'm sure some of you have something you would like to ask her about, so get off your keister and post it, now.:ohmy:

[Tricky]

I'd like to know exactly what she'd call her job, and how to go about getting a job like that...

[JulieinVA]

Hi ~ I'd also like to know the answers to the first two (how long is spent training on a daily basis & what did they begin with)... but actually, I would like to know more about that, like a list of learning objectives in the order they were taught (i.e. shapes, colors, numbers, counting, etc.).

 

Also, I would like to know how Alex's learning abilities and behaviors have changed throughout time as he matured.

 

Also (sorry!), I'm curious if they concentrated on one learning objective per session (i.e. one color at a time, one shape at a time, etc.) or if multiples in the same category were presented at once in the beginning.

 

 

I can come up with more but will take a break for now!

 

 

Julie

[dblhelix]

I'd like to know the level of concern we should have for mosquito born West Nile Virus infection and danger for the African Grey. I can of course research this elsewhere, but she may have some good info. This kills many birds every year, crows/ravens are particularly susceptible. Maybe the greys are immune since WNV comes from Africa, as do our greys...

[Toni]

yea Julie I want to know that too. Amount of time each concept took. Especially shapes and knowing how many corners each one has.Smart bird

[judygram]

Thats it folks, keep em coming.

[dblhelix]

Is someone maintaining this list in a consolidated format? Any more questions?? Um, how is it shaping up to try and get Irene to join us for a chat anyways? :laugh:

[judygram]

Good question, Dblhelix, not at the present time but I will get on it. Haven't heard any more about whether or not she will be able to do this for us, but CD is on top of that.

[CeasarsDad]

I'm working on it guys.. In the past I have found that it takes a couple of days for them to even answer your email.. So far.. No answers.. Otherwise I would have posted it..

[TalonSis]

I'd like to know how she began to teach Alex. Did she just start out repeating things, or what?

 

Melissa