Today marks the tenth Friday since the start of remote teaching. We are at the point of this journey that each day feels the same and every class gets just a little bit harder to find motivation. Student participation is lagging too. I hear the wisdom of Michael Bluth, played by Jason Bateman in ArrestedContinue reading “May 15 Day 68: Powering Through”
Category Archives: community
May 13 Day 66: Synchronicity
Access, community and MAA Connect were apparently on several people’s minds and for some reason they decided to find me today. First was an email query from a long time member, asking about why the Mathematical Association of America has moved away from listserves in favor of MAA Connect, the association equivalent of a courseContinue reading “May 13 Day 66: Synchronicity”
May 11 Day 64: Scientific Method
Ok, I admit it, participant placement in Zoom meetings is becoming a bit of a personal obsession. What started as a puzzle (May 2 Day 55: Start Small) with a cute solution was tested in a slightly larger setting (May 5 Day 58: First Approximation) and found wanting. From observations made while teaching to theContinue reading “May 11 Day 64: Scientific Method”
May 9 Day 62: Into the Weeds
Corona virus cannot stop spring. Skies are blue, birds are migrating north, and everything is growing. In my neighborhood, quarantine life is filled with the sound of lawn mowers and weed whackers. I must admit while other yards are looking mighty fine, mine is a little shaggy. I have yet to find time to fireContinue reading “May 9 Day 62: Into the Weeds”
May 7 Day 60: Are you my student?
Imagine with me, the best possible scenario for Fall 2020. There are face-to-face classes and no worries about “the curve,” a second wave, or financial repercussions. Faculty and students have adapted new skills learned in isolation to increase access and inclusion in the classroom. We appreciate the opportunities and acknowledge the privilege of our involvementContinue reading “May 7 Day 60: Are you my student?”
May 2 Day 55: Start Small
Who hasn’t attended a virtual meetings lately? I have wondered what the zoom algorithm is for placing faces in the photo grid. I know I could probably look it up but that would take all the fun out of the question. As a first principle of puzzle solving, if you can’t see the general answer,Continue reading “May 2 Day 55: Start Small”
May 1 Day 54: Ask for help. Offer help.
Despite having written these words on March 13 Day 5, I’m not particularly good at asking for help for myself. I’m much better at asking for help for others. A student contacted me saying that they were not going to be completing the online homework for a while and didn’t want to be penalized. AsContinue reading “May 1 Day 54: Ask for help. Offer help.”
April 27 Day 50: A Self-referential Celebration
As the title indicates, it has been fifty days since I started emergency remote teaching but more important than that, this is my 49th blog post. Personally, I don’t think multiples of ten are that impressive. Perfect squares however are a thing of beauty. Think about it with respect to birthdays: 0, 10, and 20thContinue reading “April 27 Day 50: A Self-referential Celebration”
April 26 Day 49: Love Letters
Dear Mathematics, I am more grateful than you can know that you are a part of my life. You make my pulse race when a solution is revealed. You inspire me towards creativity and persistence. You provided the foundation upon which I built my career. And you bring comfort—even when I don’t know that isContinue reading “April 26 Day 49: Love Letters”
April 24 Day 47 Part 2. Zooming for Community
People were not supposed to leave until they shared something for which they were grateful. I called out intentional community building–within my neighborhood, within my institution, and within the MAA. We may be physically distant but we are coming together to support one other.
Math Belongs to All of Us 