It was a pivotal moment. The class really bonded through the shared experience. We were learning new skills from each other—both technical and mathematical.
Category Archives: teaching
July 4 Day 118: Anxious Dreaming
I usually don’t remember my dreams. But last night was different—a classic anxiety dream about teaching on the first day of the Fall Quarter to come. The location was a cross between an upscale mall and the Museum of Glass. Tables and chairs (and couches on bleachers) were set-up around glass sculptures and art displaysContinue reading “July 4 Day 118: Anxious Dreaming”
June 14 Day 98: Final Post About Finals
Everything is graded. Computations are complete. I have released my decisions to the students and asked them to double check my work. It’s always better to correct errors before submission of final grades rather than after. I hit the submit button on Tuesday. Until then, is it time to: A) don a mask and goContinue reading “June 14 Day 98: Final Post About Finals”
June 13 Day 97: Congratulations Mathematics Majors of 2020
You were just awarded your degrees virtually. It’s just not the same as sitting in the Tacoma Dome and clapping as you cross the stage. It has been my pleasure to work with you at UW Tacoma. You did an amazing job pivoting capstone presentations to virtual presentations with no warning in March and youContinue reading “June 13 Day 97: Congratulations Mathematics Majors of 2020”
June 12 Day 96: Finals. Part III
I really wanted to be able to report that all projects were graded and final grades were submitted. But I haven’t been able to make myself sit down to finish. Grades are not due until 5 pm on Tuesday June 16. So there is time, right? To procrastinate, I will answer the question about theContinue reading “June 12 Day 96: Finals. Part III”
June 11 Day 95: Finals. Part II.
Nine hours over three days were required to complete the oral final. It was a test of stamina for me. Yet surprisingly pleasant. The Method One week in advance, students were given nine questions on which the examination would be drawn. They could use all resources available to prepare including but not limited to: eachContinue reading “June 11 Day 95: Finals. Part II.”
June 10 Day 94: Finals. Part I.
I spent 5 straight hours sitting in the home office without stirring. Three hours were spent administering back-to-back oral exams —two questions, twenty minutes, and no time to spare. Two more hours were spent on a more traditional remotely administered final exam in my mastery based precalculus class. This is my first time using anContinue reading “June 10 Day 94: Finals. Part I.”
June 7 Day 91: What Day Is it?
I woke up thinking it was Monday…and panicked. My husband assured me it was only Sunday. There was still time to get all those tasks done before the start of a new week. It’s late and I’m still working at it. Monday marks the beginning of final exams. We are trying an oral final inContinue reading “June 7 Day 91: What Day Is it?”
June 6 Day 90: We Are Math Club
What does Math Club do at its last official meeting of the academic year? Nominate a slate of officers for the coming year. Plan a “drive by” celebration to: congratulate the graduating seniors; announce the results of the officer election; distribute math awards; and see friends at-a-distance-but-in-real-life for the first time in too long. ThinkContinue reading “June 6 Day 90: We Are Math Club”
June 4 Day 88: Multiples of Eleven
Today was the last class meeting of the 2019-2020 academic year. It has been 88 days since the first remote class was taught on March 9 and 66 days since the first (remote) day of Spring Quarter 2020 on March 30. Eleven days from now I plan to submit my final grades. Yet today wasContinue reading “June 4 Day 88: Multiples of Eleven”
Math Belongs to All of Us 