Jul 28Unpacking data on student attitudes about mathNote: I’m a college mathematics professor who usually writes about higher education issues. But I’m also branching out into learning data science and how data science tools and techniques can be used to improve higher education and the student learning experience, and I am writing about what I’m learning as…Data Science12 min readData Science12 min read
Jun 1How to draw a direction field in PythonThis past semester I taught Linear Algebra and Differential Equations (one course that combines those two subjects) for engineering students. We placed a strong emphasis on using professional computing tools to handle a lot of the work. …Python9 min readPython9 min read
Dec 14, 2022Learning to learn data science, part 1: Beginner’s mindBeginner’s mind is the concept of approaching life with fresh eyes and a clean slate and no pretension of expertise. …Data Science10 min readData Science10 min read
Nov 5, 2021Three ground rules for academic workIt’s time for faculty and administrators who can do something about the creeping time demands of academic work, to step up. All happy, energized college faculty members are alike; but every unhappy, exhausted, and demoralized faculty member is unhappy in his or her own way.[1] Some of the reasons for…Academia8 min readAcademia8 min read
Aug 6, 2021How to handle Inbox InfinityHow I’d handle an email inbox that’s too full even to contemplate. Although I’m done with the Summer Challenge series for now, I have one more article on my mind about email. And then, I swear I will shut up about it. This is about what to do if you…Productivity8 min readProductivity8 min read
Apr 20, 2021SurvivalSometimes it’s about just making it through the week. The plan this week was to post something on how the Modern Algebra course turned out, and maybe another one of those GTD-oriented posts, maybe on how to end the semester strong. But today this seems dishonest. Because while I’ve been…Higher Education4 min readHigher Education4 min read
Apr 6, 2021Rebooting the final examIt’s probably better not to give final exams at all, but if you must, then here are some alternative approaches that do more to help students. It’s almost final exam season for a lot of us. As that time rolls closer, it makes me think about something wonderful that happened…Teaching7 min readTeaching7 min read
Mar 29, 2021What I learned from an open-technology policy in my classesTeaching math as if computers existed leads to less cheating and better engagement with core mathematical ideas. When the Big Pivot came around last March, I wasn’t teaching — I had the semester off from teaching to serve as department chair. Instead, I was helping 40+ faculty in my department…Teaching7 min readTeaching7 min read
Mar 22, 2021What can higher education learn from the business world?Universities are not businesses and shouldn’t be run like them; but good companies have cultures that universities would do well to study. Last week I got a rare opportunity, for a faculty member at least: To work for a couple of hours with a group of about 50 Student Affairs…Higher Education5 min readHigher Education5 min read
Mar 11, 2021In defense of teaching yourself the materialHaving students teach themselves things is a feature, not a bug in higher education and we need to stop apologizing for it. I believe in lifelong learning. Not in a hazy, college-mission-statement sort of way but as a concrete goal for college pedagogy, realized in our teaching and course design…Higher Education6 min readHigher Education6 min read
