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 studentsContinue reading “May 27 Day 80: It’s Official”
Category Archives: Pandemic
May 26 Day 79: Staying Positive
I thought the first day back after a three day weekend might be challenging for me and my students. As predicted, energy and attendance was low. To inject positivity, I asked for help with the following Google slide: Students were asked to share motivational thoughts, quotes, or memes. Not everyone participated but it brightened myContinue reading “May 26 Day 79: Staying Positive”
May 23 Day 76: A Brief Respite
I’ve been pushing pretty hard lately and I admit to being a little resentful of the grading, lack of student interaction, and extra work to prepare for a board meeting. If this were in “the before,” I would be flying home from DC after two days of important work with amazing people—energized and ready toContinue reading “May 23 Day 76: A Brief Respite”
May 20 Day 73: Time Expansion
Have you ever noticed that projects expand to fill the time available? Today I only had one hard deadline and several soft ones. The hard deadline? Teaching from 3:40-5:40 pm. I thought I was ready to go this morning—just a few minor adjustments to the learning management system and it would be on to biggerContinue reading “May 20 Day 73: Time Expansion”
May 19 Day 72: For Math and Love
This week has a lot due dates and deadlines converging. I’ve spent a fair few too many late nights trying to get ahead of regular work so that I can add in the special requests. I’m not complaining. It is a privilege to participate in these ways: Working with colleagues to create a special awardContinue reading “May 19 Day 72: For Math and Love”
May 17 Day 70: Small Celebrations
Sometimes I need to celebrate little things. Rather than rising early to start work, I stayed snuggled under my covers and began grading. Finishing the first of three Matrix Algebra assignments before ever getting up, pushed away the gloom and burden of grading—tricking me into feeling optimistic about work for the rest of the day.Continue reading “May 17 Day 70: Small Celebrations”
May 16 Day 69: To Do
For those of you not familiar with the Canvas Teacher app, the 114 in the red oval represents the number of items in need of grading this weekend. Some are quick check-offs: complete or incomplete. About half are assessments from my mastery-based precalculus course. The rest come from my writing intensive matrix theory course (soContinue reading “May 16 Day 69: To Do”
May 15 Day 68: Powering Through
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”
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”
Math Belongs to All of Us 