Hello. My name is Jenny and I have an over-reliance on technology. It has been more than eighty days since I taught a class in the same room as my students. Eighty days since I collected an exam or homework assignment on paper. Eighty days since I enjoyed drop-in hours in the library, helping students with their problems. Eighty Days. One thousand nine hundred twenty hours. One hundred fifteen thousand two hundred minutes. But I’m not really counting.
When technology works, it can be very good. But when it fails, it can make me cry. Take today for example. My niece Margo wed her fiancé, Caleb, in a small respectfully-distant ceremony after postponing a big shindig last month. I was sitting at my computer waiting for the live stream to start. The message changed from “starting within an hour” to “starting soon” and then ….. nothing. I tried not to worry; weddings get delayed. A late start is nothing to be surprised at. My son walked by, “Mom you were supposed to text me. Dad’s already seen it.”
“What?” My heart sank.
Sure enough, the ceremony had ended and I missed the live stream. I was devastated. Mark tried to comfort me, “I took some screen shots just in case.” Tears welled in my eyes. I didn’t realize how much I was looking forward to participating even if only viewing remotely. I wanted to share the moment with my mother, siblings, and of course the bride and groom.
The saving grace—a the recording was posted to Facebook so I experienced it twenty minutes later with my sons. Margo was a beautiful bride and she wore the most impressive shoes.
Congratulations to Margo Quinn and Caleb Leach. Now you are official too!
Math in the Time of Corona 