1) I like to wear my heated Narwhal slippers during class.2) I wear pants during Zoom meetings but often they are things I should have thrown out years ago–too short, too tight, too loose, or too many holes. Ditto for undergarments. What is worn under the desk, stays under the desk.3) We say we areContinue reading “April 9 Day 32: Confession Edition”
Monthly Archives: April 2020
April 8 Day 31: A New Hope
Today was the first time I felt ready and fully prepare for class (I even took time out to have lunch with my family beforehand!) Not sure what is different—maybe it’s me being more prepared, maybe it’s them being more used to online interaction, or maybe it’s some combination of the two. Whatever it is,Continue reading “April 8 Day 31: A New Hope”
April 7 Day 30: Online Wait Time
Getting better at online interactivity. 24/25 present. Started with group presentations; student spokespeople sharing computer screens. We worked examples, discussed writing, and ended with a mini lecture. I ask a lot of questions. Giving sufficient wait time for student responses is harder in a remote class room than in a face-to-face one. Seven seconds seemsContinue reading “April 7 Day 30: Online Wait Time”
April 6 Day 29: Zoom Frustrations Again
How did the Zoom settings change again? Videos that were purposely public now require authentication of the user to watch. And I couldn’t share my iPad screen today (something I have been doing for over a year. It wouldn’t even occur to me to check something that is so second nature.) I figured it allContinue reading “April 6 Day 29: Zoom Frustrations Again”
April 5 Day 28: Sweet Dreams to All
Can it really be only 28 days ago that UW started online-only classes for the winter quarter? It feels like a lifetime ago. It’s late. I’m mostly ready for tomorrow and I need sleep. So good night all. Sweet dreams. May tomorrow bring unexpected joys—because we all need a little sunshine right now.
April 4 Days 26-27: I Believe in Academic Freedom
I hear a lot of certainty about the “right way” to approach online teaching in this crisis. That makes me nervous. Opinions are being presented as fact. What if I chose to do something differently—either because it works well for my style or I see it fills a need for my students? Will I be judged poorly because I was not following recommended guidelines?
April 2 Day 25: Novel Zooming
Finished the first week of Zoom classes for the Spring quarter and I am exhausted. There were some challenges to be sure but for the most part, I am pleased with the students and our “soft start” to the quarter. I’m excited to share my novel use of an iPad in a Zoom meeting (atContinue reading “April 2 Day 25: Novel Zooming”
April 1 Day 24: Zoom Frustrations
Where was my breakout room button? I blamed it on Zoom changing meeting settings to foil zoom-bombers (yes, it’s a real thing) but I have since learned that wasn’t the correct answer.
March 31 Day 23: Thinking Forward
What will teaching look like when our “splendid isolation” is complete? As professionals, we are learning to be more flexible, more forgiving, and more humane.
March 30 Day 22: Dressed for Success
First day teaching in the Spring Quarter and I dressed for success! That means earrings and a scarf. Good luck to all who are starting or returning to teaching today.
Math Belongs to All of Us 