It’s the first day of Spring quarter 2023. So long Spring Break— I hardly knew you. All of the faculty colleagues I saw today looked exhausted. With less than a week between Winter grade submission and the start of this quarter, there really was no rest for the weary. I had an impressive To-Do listContinue reading “March 27 Day 1114: Fresh Start”
Tag Archives: grading
January 29 Day 1057: Paper vs iPad grading
I spent at least 7 hours grading today—mostly exams on paper and some homework files submitted electronically. All of it was for students in the same class. First observation: When did everyone’s handwriting become so illegible? Second observation: Why do I think my tricks to decipher handwriting on the iPad will work on paper? IContinue reading “January 29 Day 1057: Paper vs iPad grading”
November 6 Day 973: 5 pm Pacific Standard
I was grateful for the extra hour of sleep this morning when I had to get up for an early flight home. But now that I am here and the clock has struck 5 pm, I WANT MORE LIGHT. Intellectually, I know that I will adjust and its time to replace all the old lightContinue reading “November 6 Day 973: 5 pm Pacific Standard”
March 20 Day 742: Goodbye Winter; Hello Spring
I did it! I finished all my grading for Winter quarter and posted the following announcement for my students today: Subject: I think I am done grading Please have a look over the gradebook. You will see an entry called ‘UWT Grade’ that gives the grade I will report to the registrar for this course.Continue reading “March 20 Day 742: Goodbye Winter; Hello Spring”
March 19 Day 741: Joys of ‘Spring Break’
It’s the first official day of spring break for UW Tacoma and Willamette University. My son Zach and I are lounging in the family room, working on math—he is getting a start on his homework, I am grading final projects. I enjoy chatting with him about mathematical induction, giving LaTeX tips, and providing feedback onContinue reading “March 19 Day 741: Joys of ‘Spring Break’”
March 16 Day 738: Finals Reflections
I have been administering oral final examinations over the last two days. Compared to previous quarters, when I had double (or quadruple) the students to manage, it was down right pleasant. The process hasn’t changed except that I administer the interviews in person rather than remotely through Zoom. I noticed more than ever before thatContinue reading “March 16 Day 738: Finals Reflections”
February 20 Day 714: Missed Opportunity
It was a beautiful morning. The sun eventually broke through the cloud cover (as shown in the cover image.) After my walk, I set my priorities for the day: Grade Friday’s reflections Comment on rough drafts and return so students can continue to develop and improve their final projects, due in 3 weeks. Work inContinue reading “February 20 Day 714: Missed Opportunity”
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”
December 17 Day 649: Realistic or Out-dated ?
I am pleased to report that all the papers submitted in support of group projects have been graded. What distressed me was what students thought were appropriate sources for references. I use Wikipedia and Wolfram MathWorld as much as the next person. They are great places to start answering questions and have good science/math entries.Continue reading “December 17 Day 649: Realistic or Out-dated ?”
December 15 Day 647: Interview Marathon Part II
My first academic term teaching face-to-face since March 2020 is close to completed. Continuing my COVID practice of assessing students through oral examinations, I recently finished two long days of interviews. This reflection will detail the process and lessons learned (much as I have done in the past as documented in all these posts.) TheContinue reading “December 15 Day 647: Interview Marathon Part II”
Math Belongs to All of Us 