Automatic transcriptions of Zoom recordings can occasionally miss the mark. I’m just going to leave this here and see if anyone one can figure out the statement of the Theorem that Zoom transcribed as follows: Durham sandpoint suddenly G one g to be groups and suppose that you want his own workplace. Do you energyContinue reading “February 16 Day 345: Transcription Errors 2.0”
Category Archives: teaching
February 15 Day 344: Peer Reviews
Even though our teaching circumstances remain “extraordinary,” run-of-the-mill tasks still need to be completed. It is the time of year to scramble and complete peer reviews in preparation for the ridiculous process of merit review to come (see May 3 Day 56: Not Even Close To Normal.) Thanks to leaders who streamlined the process for thisContinue reading “February 15 Day 344: Peer Reviews”
February 12 Day 341: Friday Melt
I was hoping for snow last night. Not because I was wishing for a snow day —our new found technical competence will make that unlikely unless the internet is down—but because there is something magical about a pristine sound-dulling blanket of snow. Unfortunately the flakes were small and the accumulation in Tacoma was minimal. ItContinue reading “February 12 Day 341: Friday Melt”
February 11 Day 340: More Appreciative of Less
For those teaching on the quarter system, Winter quarter 2021 is more than half way done. Today I administered an oral midterm assessment in Abstract Algebra. Previously I discussed my struggles with inquiry-based learning in this class because of its low enrollment numbers and I secretly wished for more students. Today I fully appreciated theContinue reading “February 11 Day 340: More Appreciative of Less”
February 7 Day 336: Once More Unto the Breach, Dear Friends, Once More
For many warriors of the classroom coronavirus battlefield, Spring semester is about to commence. Whether you are in person, hybrid, or remote, whether you started 5 weeks ago or will do so this week, you might be facing the coming work with a little trepidation. Remember, you are not alone. Despite the isolation, despite theContinue reading “February 7 Day 336: Once More Unto the Breach, Dear Friends, Once More”
February 4 Day 333: By the Numbers
As a combinatorialist, I count things. I am participating in a weekly remote mindfulness training through the UW Resiliency Lab and it is a breath of fresh air, literally. Of all the practices I have learned, the one where we count the length of our inhalations and extend it by +2 on the exhalation reallyContinue reading “February 4 Day 333: By the Numbers”
February 3 Day 332: Oral Encore
We are nearing the halfway point of the quarter. Midterms are looming large. I had promised my Abstract Algebra II class that we would come to consensus on the format of the midterm. They were given several options: In class. Straightforward computations and proofs administered remotely but during class time with no advance warning ofContinue reading “February 3 Day 332: Oral Encore”
January 28 Day 326: Critical Mass
I have taught this class twice before using inquiry based learning and mostly had positive experiences. This quarter, I don’t know whether it is that the class size is too small or the remote modality is causing the problem, but I am having a hard time holding the students accountable to the work. I’ve neverContinue reading “January 28 Day 326: Critical Mass”
January 24 Day 322: In the Details
I am always surprised when students, even great students, neglect to read instructions. Is it from computer fatigue? The class is delivered online. The book is available online. The assignment is posted online. If they did well on previous assignments, why not just do the same thing and spend less time online? Is it fromContinue reading “January 24 Day 322: In the Details”
January 23 Day 321: Zoom Refresher
It’s been 321 days since remote teaching in Washington State began. We learned enough to get by and for some people that was sufficient. But as we continue teaching from a distance, I would like to propose there are better ways. And rather than rejecting suggestions out of hand, I ask that you open yourContinue reading “January 23 Day 321: Zoom Refresher”
Math Belongs to All of Us 