Category Archives: Education

Calculus I—Day 4

Posted on 6 July 2013 by Xander

Thanks to a Thursday holiday, we finished our first week of calculus after four lectures. I’m not sure that I would want it any other way—we had time to ease into the material, work out technical kinks with the software, … Continue reading →

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Calculus I—Day 3

Posted on 4 July 2013 by Xander

An evening class just before a day off, and I had almost full attendance. We had our first quiz, which went off without too much grumbling, and I managed to present a couple of easy proofs. Aside from running out … Continue reading →

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Calculus I—Day 2

Posted on 3 July 2013 by Xander

The course started yesterday with one very concrete example, followed by loads of abstractions. Last night’s lecture began the trip back into things that are a little bit more concrete.

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Calculus I—Day 1

Posted on 2 July 2013 by Xander

I am teaching Calculus I this summer, starting yesterday. In the interest of improving my own performance as an instructor, I thought that I might try a little exercise as the course progresses. My intention is to spend a little … Continue reading →

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Finding a Limit

Posted on 19 February 2013 by Xander

This semester, I am assisting my advisor with his honors calculus class. As he is out of town today, I will be giving the lecture. We decided to show off a rather beautiful little bit of mathematics which makes use … Continue reading →

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Don’t Get Caught

Posted on 17 April 2012 by Xander

Sometimes, teaching can be very frustrating. Earlier this semester, I gave an exam. Of the forty or so students who are currently enrolled in the class, barely half managed a passing score (a middling C for those that are interested). … Continue reading →

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Keep It Simple, Stupid

Posted on 26 March 2012 by Xander

I have a much younger sister who is currently taking calculus as a high school junior. Given that I have a little more mathematical training than anyone else in my family, she sometimes asks me for help with her homework. … Continue reading →

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Education is a Ponzi Scheme

Posted on 22 March 2012 by Xander

Our education system is a massive Ponzi scheme. I may come across as a cynic for making this statement, and I may earn the ire of many, but bear with me for a moment. This is not a bad thing—in … Continue reading →

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Scandal in Atlanta!

Posted on 26 August 2011 by Xander

Early last month, NPR reported that 178 teachers and principals in the Atlanta school system fudged student test results. That is, they cheated. I’ve been meaning to comment on this for a while, but have been busy with classes, and … Continue reading →

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Division by Zero?

Posted on 22 July 2011 by Xander

I am currently teaching a summer term algebra class. Over the course of five weeks, we manage to get through an entire semester’s worth of material. The pace is pretty grueling, and I wonder at my students’ capacity to keep … Continue reading →

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