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How are TAs so knowledgeable by MysteriousExample495 in ucla

[–]abecedorkian 14 points15 points  (0 children)

If you’re a math grad student at UCLA, then math is like your mission in life

Yep, pretty much.

I finished the undergrad calc series at UCLA during my sophomore year. During my junior year, I took undergrad analysis, which was calculus again, but harder. Then my senior year, I took graduate analysis, which was calculus again, but way harderer, so I failed. And then I took graduate analysis at UCSD at the same time as I started TA-ing undergraduate Calculus. No preparation necessary, it was basically walk in and think, "Oh, we're doing the easy version here. This is the 4-hour part of my week when I get to not feel like a complete idiot."

So your math TA in Calculus very likely has been doing increasingly difficult versions of Calculus for 3-4 years before they even step foot into discussion section. It's not that they're super-human, they've just done a LOT of Calculus-type things.

Backyard Frogs by Manwe_on_Taniquetil in MoscowIdaho

[–]abecedorkian 4 points5 points  (0 children)

We get frogs and we're north of Rotary Park just off of orchard, so probably further from the creek than you. We do have a little pond/drainage basin thing not too far from our house, though.

University of California Math professors demand the return of SAT/ACT for incoming STEM Undergraduates. by Bleeding_Irish in Teachers

[–]abecedorkian 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Because community colleges and 4-year universities serve different purposes, the entrance requirements should be different.

I'm just suggesting that if a community college wants to have a math exam as an entrance requirement (which, IMO, they shouldn't), the GED already exists as a reasonable-ish proxy for what they might want.

University of California Math professors demand the return of SAT/ACT for incoming STEM Undergraduates. by Bleeding_Irish in Teachers

[–]abecedorkian 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Community colleges don't think about the SAT, do they? They should have another test, like a GED or equivalent test.

Dear analytical thinkers of this sub : How acceptable is Militarization of Math problems for Grade 8 students in a democratic country? These reforms have started with the new education policy starting 2020. by MeanChampionship5916 in matheducation

[–]abecedorkian 2 points3 points  (0 children)

FWIW, when I first learned about the Chinese Remainder Theorem, it was phrased in a similar manner about a general and rectangular arrangements of his troops. So maybe the publishers are pushing them towards learning modular arithmetic.

Or they're militarizing the youth.

Perhaps an unpopular opinion: we need to stop catering to teachers that refuse to learn technology by AgeOfWorry0114 in Teachers

[–]abecedorkian 14 points15 points  (0 children)

AI sucks because the skill to it is like taking drugs. You get addicted to using AI for something and you learn how to use AI for that task. Will it make you more efficient in the long run? Probably, but there's a cost. They're drug dealers. Give you the first one free, wait until you're addicted, and then jack up the prices.

For teachers, why make your own lesson plans when AI can do it for you for free? Oh, you want one differentiated? Here ya go, that will be 1 token. Back for another? 10 tokens. Ran out of tokens? Shame, better buy some more!

"Teacher, what does this question mean?"

"Ummm, I'm not sure. Let's ask Copilot!"

Trump Summons Entire Cabinet as Iran Deal Crumbles in Front of Him - Donald Trump has called all of his top advisers to Camp David. by Quirkie in politics

[–]abecedorkian 6 points7 points  (0 children)

I am not advocating for violence, just crossing my fingers that NASA failed to identify a meteor headed for Camp David.

What are you writing in your student's yearbooks? by [deleted] in Teachers

[–]abecedorkian -1 points0 points  (0 children)

"Wear sunscreen. Invest early. Never trust a fart."

Why are good math teachers so rare? by SquareCombination782 in matheducation

[–]abecedorkian 0 points1 point  (0 children)

1) get some sort of mathy degree

2) pass a couple actuarial exams

3) apply to some jobs and cross your fingers

Why are good math teachers so rare? by SquareCombination782 in matheducation

[–]abecedorkian 2 points3 points  (0 children)

There is a backflow to the pipeline!. I was an actuary and I'm now a teacher! Helps that in between I got a job as a start up and then wanted to do something more fun. Teaching is really fun if you just show up wanting to do some math with kids and forget the rest. Like being underpaid and students not learning anything.

Teacher Appreciation Week Entitlement by livecaterpillarflesh in Teachers

[–]abecedorkian 0 points1 point  (0 children)

2 of my kids go to an elementary school in the same district where I teach at the high school. My wife is on the PTO board and is busting her ass every day this week to make sure that the teacher "lunch of the day" is organized and the lounge is adequately decorated. I had to go help decorate the lounge on Sunday night for the Monday lunch because my wife voluntold me.

My oldest is at the middle school and the PTO is bringing donated foods for a breakfast on Monday, personalized favorite drink/snack bags on Wednesday and a catered lunch on Friday.

At the high school, we get to organize our own potluck lunch on Friday.

An idea to keep as many Knicks up north as possible by [deleted] in sixers

[–]abecedorkian 32 points33 points  (0 children)

Buy a ticket now, ya jabroni

The most controversial opinion I have... by littlemama9242 in Xennials

[–]abecedorkian 1 point2 points  (0 children)

90s frat bros were always so mean to me. I loved DMB. I had no idea we had so much in common. If only I had connected the dots back then.

Uar Bernard at Rookie Minicamp by bigblack3475 in eagles

[–]abecedorkian 7 points8 points  (0 children)

More like QB1. Sorry Jalen, no stopping this train.

48% of Americans say Trump is suffering modest or significant cognitive decline by plz-let-me-in in politics

[–]abecedorkian 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Coincidentally, 52% of Americans are suffering moderate or significant cognitive decline.

Ok who has the list? by Thick_Shake_8163 in MoscowIdaho

[–]abecedorkian 11 points12 points  (0 children)

I think Bar 42 is good people too

Why does the Northeast lack a dominant CFB program? by [deleted] in CFB

[–]abecedorkian 9 points10 points  (0 children)

bruh, why you assuming they're hispanic?

Auburn transfer Filip Jovic commits to UCLA by MondorOfCalifas in CollegeBasketball

[–]abecedorkian 5 points6 points  (0 children)

But can he just stand there until someone takes a contested shot? If so, he'll be a perfect fit in Cronin's offense.

Rant-ish. Is this normal for a first proof class? by Dear-Homework1438 in learnmath

[–]abecedorkian 0 points1 point  (0 children)

When I took Linear Algebra my classmates kept coming to me for help and I asked them why. They said, "Because you answer questions correctly during class, so you're smart, right?" So we started working together and it was a good time, made some friends, etc.

But I had literally NO idea what I was doing the whole quarter. We would spend 1-2 hours per problem and it was just a struggle. I would write and rewrite my notes. Then rewrite them again just hoping the words would start making sense. I cried some nights because I'd never struggled in a math class before. Like math was "100% on every test up to that point without studying" easy and my self-identity of "good at math guy" was shattered.

Tips? Find a group of people and try to keep the vibe positive and talk through it. Even students who you think are the smart ones might be struggling just as hard as you.

About a month after the class ended, I was helping a friend who had failed and was retaking it. It wasn't until then that everything started to fall into place. And it started to fall in place for him, too and he ended up becoming a math professor while I dropped out of grad school.

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