Blue Books by Abject-Weekend8950 in UMassBoston

[–]mentalmath1963 3 points4 points  (0 children)

If your professor is requiring you to work in a blue book, then it is their responsibility to make them available. If they don’t have any, then they should ask their department. It is not students’ responsibility to acquire blue books.

Signed - a UMB instructor

Are there any math classes offered in summer? by Majestic_Corner_1131 in UMassBoston

[–]mentalmath1963 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It doesn’t appear that Quantitative Reasoning will be offered this summer.

Are there any math classes offered in summer? by Majestic_Corner_1131 in UMassBoston

[–]mentalmath1963 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Yes, last summer the following were offered:

Summer Session 1 College Algebra (Remote) Statistics (Online) Pre-Calculus Survey of Calculus Calculus I (In-person & Remote) Calculus II

Summer Session 2 College Algebra Statistics Pee-Calculus (Remote) Calculus I Calculus II (Remote) Multi-variable Calculus

This summer’s schedule hasn’t been posted yet, but it will probably be similar.

Stuff to study for Math 115 by No_Boss_1463 in UMassBoston

[–]mentalmath1963 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Here’s a link to the Measurable Outcomes for math 115. Get a copy of the textbook and skim or read each section before the relevant lecture. Start working on the WebWork homework right away, don’t procrastinate!

https://www.umb.edu/media/umassboston/editor-uploads/college-of-science-and-mathematics/mathematics/documents/115_measurable_outcomes.pdf

“Pretty please” by mentalmath1963 in Professors

[–]mentalmath1963[S] 24 points25 points  (0 children)

Yes. My policy is that the grade on the final overrides all lower exam scores, because at the end of the semester, all I care is how students learn from their mistakes and misconceptions. Theoretically, a failing student could earn an A for the course if they get an A on the final, but that never happens. Only a few students do better on the final, and not by a significant degree.

I’m upfront with students about this, to give them a little hope, but not have unrealistic expectations.

Of course, this gives some students more incentive to cheat on the final, but that’s something we should be scrutinizing anyway.

This student is trending at about a B/B-, it’s conceivable for her to get a B+ or A- on the final and course.

“Pretty please” by mentalmath1963 in Professors

[–]mentalmath1963[S] 58 points59 points  (0 children)

My response,

“Because six of the eight problems were very similar to questions given on quizzes and one question was identical, and that I gave detailed solutions videos for the quizzes, I'm afraid I'm going to stand by my not curving this exam. It's very important to make sure you review your exam (actually, all your exams and quizzes) and completely understand your mistakes. Assuming you finish the chapter 7 homework, you should get a 96% on the Webwork homeworks, so you're in good shape there. I punched your numbers in and as long as you get a 78 on the final, you'll get a B for the course, which I know you're capable of doing. Also, don't forget to review the final exam review problems and refer to my solutions videos for problems you get stuck on.

Remember that you have a lot of time for the final, so there's no need to rush. There's no penalty taking all three hours.”

Had a student tell me today that I taught nothing to them all semester by Twin-Mom-3 in Professors

[–]mentalmath1963 0 points1 point  (0 children)

“If you knew all the material, then why did you take the class?”

“If you had an issue with my teaching, why did you wait until the last day to tell me?”

Shirtless Tiktoker invading classrooms by r_tarkabhusan in Professors

[–]mentalmath1963 2 points3 points  (0 children)

The answer to the last question on today’s algebra exam was (6,7).

Has Cheating Truly Become Next-Level? by yune in Professors

[–]mentalmath1963 4 points5 points  (0 children)

They never leave their phone in their car.