Jenny Quinn

February 8 Day 702: Oral Midterms Again

It’s midterm time and that means a day administering oral interviews. It’s a small class (only 16 students) and I scheduled them all for one day. Today. They started at 9 am and ended at 7 pm. The process hasn’t changed. The questions are variations on previous themes. It really shouldn’t have seemed much differentContinue reading “February 8 Day 702: Oral Midterms Again”

February 6 Day 700: Small World

This morning, I received a message from a mathematical friend that made me smile. Apparently her son is in the middle school math class that is reading a current draft of my book. Let me back up. Last Fall I posted September 18 Day 559: A Labor of Love in which I shared that I hadContinue reading “February 6 Day 700: Small World”

February 5 Day 699: Catching My Breath

I pushed myself pretty hard last week—working into the wee hours of the morning, sleeping a handful of hours, and starting the cycle all over again. It definitely took a toll on my blog productivity. To the point that my friend Allison and I had this exchange: The urgent commitments have been met and IContinue reading “February 5 Day 699: Catching My Breath”

January 27 Day 690: I Changed My Mind

I do want to talk about Wordle. As opposed to January 24 Day 687: We Don’t Talk About Wordle. Let me set the stage. I am trying to teach in person. In reality, I am teaching a synchronous remote course from the classroom. Only one human being joined me on campus this morning (13 othersContinue reading “January 27 Day 690: I Changed My Mind”

January 26 Day 689: It’s Pretty Sticky

I love Post-It Note activities to bring a group together as we work towards a common goal. After today’s assessment work group meeting, I created this activity to prepare for our next discussion. The circles represent the four majors in the Science and Math (SAM) Division of the School of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences atContinue reading “January 26 Day 689: It’s Pretty Sticky”

January 25 Day 688: In-person Attendance Woes

One week ago today: I had seven students in the classroom and eight students online. This was the first day I offered in-person classes (and third week of the quarter.) I figured it would get better. Today: I had two students in the classroom and twelve online. That’s not better. One week from today: TheContinue reading “January 25 Day 688: In-person Attendance Woes”

January 24 Day 687: We Don’t Talk About Wordle

As this blog is intended as commentary on our world during the COVID pandemic, I feel I cannot ignore important trends and fads that sweep through the population. First there was Tiger King. Now there is Wordle. I love Wordle. I have played it every morning for the last three weeks. It reminds me ofContinue reading “January 24 Day 687: We Don’t Talk About Wordle”

January 23 Day 686: In the Zone

I was working on a mathematics manuscript today—editing and creating promised illustrations for my Wednesday collaboration meeting. I had made good progress in the afternoon and thought to briefly review my new contributions before relaxing for the evening. The next thing I realized, it was 11 o’clock at night; I completely lost myself in theContinue reading “January 23 Day 686: In the Zone”

January 19 Day 682: Extra Credit Magic

I held in-person drop in hours today at the UW Tacoma Teaching and Learning Center (TLC). Why the TLC? It’s neutral ground. My students know that I am there for them—so they cannot be interrupting me. Plus it introduces them to a fantastic place to work, collaborate, get help, or just hang out. For manyContinue reading “January 19 Day 682: Extra Credit Magic”