Random Rants

Well, I just got through grading my first test for my College Algebra class. Let’s just say I’m not happy with the results because it shows a strong lack of understanding of the material. It’s funny because I sit there quizzing them over and over. Is it just test anxiety? To a point it may be, but I highly doubt it. Is it my not getting the material through to them. Whether or not that’s actually the case, that’s how I feel it is. Back to square one tomorrow.

Dan Teaching Rants

I had the pleasure of meeting Professor Burger back at an MAA conference sometime in the vicinity of 2001.  I bring him up here as I recently read an interview with him at The Futures Channel.  The article discusses the shortcomings of math students nowadays and how simple techniques such as breaking problems into simpler problems just aren’t applied.

Professor Burger caught my attention at the MAA conference because of his energy, and to be honest, his lecture wasn’t half bad either.  He presented a video done by one of his classes.  But it wasn’t your average everyday video, it was a video to a Jimmy Buffet song.  The song?  Math Sucks.  Professor Burger was a genius because in the same respect he got his students thinking about math and in the end got his students to appreciate math.

You may wonder what causes this rant to be about Professor Burger.  Well, as I sit here at home, Kyle just doesn’t want to learn his math and doesn’t want to break the problem down.  Aargh!!

Dan General Rants, Teaching Rants

Well, I had a horrible week at bowling. My game was completely off. As a result, my average of 198 will drop to somewhere around 190 ish. I need to jump it back up, which means a stellar week is necessary this week.

In other news, I went to the doctor yesterday for an actual check-up (my first real one in some time). It’ll be interesting to know what my cholesterol level is at. They also sent in the referrals to tricare for a colonoscopy and to finally get my ingrown toenails cut out. The colonoscopy is important since my family has a history of colon polyps on my father’s side.

And then there was class last Saturday. You know, for the past few days I’ve been worried that I was an asshole in class, but this confirms it as two of my students are changing to another class due to comments I made in class. The funny thing is that the comments really weren’t that bad. Sarcasm at 9:00 in the morning just isn’t taken as well as it should be. I wish my students well, whether I’m instructing them or not. Rise above. The funny thing is that they are going into computer networking and what they have dealt with is nothing (tech people have quirky senses of humor and thin skin doesn’t settle well). Time for them to learn now rather than their first day in the workplace. La de da. I’m an a .. ss .. ho .. le .. (Denis Leary is the man). All in all, my students are doing well, and I look forward to the last few weeks of the quarter. Still up in the air whether I want to keep teaching at ITT, but that’s life.

Dan Bowling Rants, General Rants, Teaching Rants

Well, it’s been almost two weeks since I last posted. I guess it’s time to rant once again.

To begin with, let me just say that my new IT 104 class at ITT is worlds apart from the classes I had last quarter. Everyone (well, almost) seems interested in the material and actually learning it as it could apply to their futures. I’ve changed my teaching style a bit. Well, actually it’s mostly changed on the homework end of things and not the actual teaching style. I’ve decided, from looking at other teaching sites, that I really shouldn’t spend most of the class working on issues with only 1 student and should try to focus on the class as a whole. As always, I will offer to tutor any student who needs it. It should be an interesting quarter.

Secondly, I’ve been working hard on my grad school work. Taking two classes is very taxing when added on to my current work load. Ironically, I’m thinking about taking three or even four classes next quarter, but making two of the classes my Educational Technology classes, which focus mostly on the use of technology in the classroom environment. Looking at the classes, the appear to be mostly technology intensive and possibly paper intensive, which shouldn’t pose any major issues to me.

Thirdly, the kids have been around for a while now and it’s still taking some getting used to. It’s a big shock to your system, especially in my case. Less than a year ago, I was a single bachelor with no thoughts of children on my mind, looking forward to grad school and moving away from Maine to some different locales. Now, I’m married, with a wife and 2 step-children, living in a state that I really don’t like living in. What happened? Now don’t get me wrong. The reasons this all occured are the right ones and I wouldn’t take it back for anything, but it just goes to show that that’s just a lot to take.

I guess the hardest part of the change has been adjusting from “Bachelor Dan” to “Husband and Father-Figure Dan”. Chores that I would be able to let slip just can’t be let to slip anymore, and if I do (which happens often because my work schedule gives me next to no free time at home), then it’s just not a happy sight to see. And my forgetfulness doesn’t seem to be helping. People who know me know that I’m a scatter-brained fool, and it’s showing far more now than it used to. Anyone have any advice for keeping things organized without feeling or being treated like a child?

And since I have next to no free time at home, when I do (or when I make things slip to get it), I know for a fact that my wife is left holding the proverbial ball. I don’t want her to have to do most of the stuff, and I know she’s been getting upset at me for it. All I want her to do is ask me. Don’t assume I know what needs to be done. I’m still adjusting from “Bachelor Dan” ..

And finally, in work news, well, I’m not sure I want to comment too much. Whether it be for confidentiality or just because I really don’t want to bring my professional work into my weblog, I’m not sure. (And for those of you who decide to point out that I mention ITT on the site, well, bugger off. It’s my prerogative and that’s all I’m gonna say about that).

One more thing, I guess I’ll mention that the Yanks took the lead in the AL East the other day. Not my most shining moment, but I have no fear. The Sox will rise again. I found this on the Red Sox Chick’s Blog:

Well, with all that update, I guess it’s time to say over and out.

Dan General Rants, Teaching Rants

Well folks, Week 9 has finally come and gone. I can honestly say that things were so much better than they were last week. I had most of both of my IT 104 classes and my whole TB143 class. It appears the big culprit really was sickness. I will say that I was very disappointed in the speeches given by my classes. I think I’ll have to stress public speaking a little more next quarter. I’m thinking of having two impromptu speeches per person and 1 “big” speech over a research topic. It will be interesting to come up with the impromptu topics for people to talk about. What will be more interesting will be that the class will be on Saturday. The roster says to expect around 30 people, so that should whittle down to about 15 people in the class.

Well, this week’s over with and all I can say is COME ON WEEK 12 ..

Dan General Rants, Teaching Rants