Can I make up a quiz or midterm?
Quizzes, no. Midterms, maybe. If you attempt to make a prior arrangement with me and have a legitimate reason for not attending class the day of a
midterm exam, I will usually accomodate you. If you unexpectedly have to miss class, please try to contact me as soon as possible to explain. Do not expect to just show up the following Monday and be able to retake the
exam; I will probably not be inclined to let you.
Can I take the final at some time other than the date specified on the syllabus?
Probably not, but come talk to me during office hours.
The quarter is over and I'm not happy with my grade. Will you give me a W, an NC, a higher grade, etc.?
Only if I have made a mistake in its computation will I change your grade after the end of the quarter. Examine the calendar closely for the deadlines to apply for a W, or P/NC option grading.
Why do you assign so much homework, and so often?
I believe you are more likely to learn and retain mathematical skills and knowledge if you practice them every day. The quantity of homework that I assign is not unreasonable.
Why don't you give numeric grades for the homework, instead of your weird symbol system?
If it were up to me, I wouldn't ever give you numeric feedback. I wouldn't even give you a numeric grade at the end of the quarter! I believe that students tend to focus more on the number written in red at the top of their homework than how they actually performed. Though it may seem like a merely cosmetic change, it is my hope that presenting feedback in a less explicitly value-laden form, the student will take on a valuable, evaluative stance towards their own work.
On this homework I didn't think I did so well, but I got a +; but then on this other homework, I only got a few problems wrong, but still got a check mark, not a +. Is something wrong?
No. Each homework assignment has a unique grading scale, and the grades cannot be meaningfully compared.
Can I turn in late homework?
Yes. All late homework will receive the same grade, if it is complete: an L.
This is a lot better for your grade than a zero.
What is the last day I can turn in late homework?
You can turn in late homework up until the day of the final exam.
Why don't you let me use a calculator?
I believe calculators are overused and overemphasized in primary school mathematics education, and as a result, students have become dependent on their calculators to do calculations which previous generations of math students would have found simple and/or trivial. By forbidding calculator use I hope to develop your computational skills to the level colleges and universities have traditionally expected. Also, reliance on the calculator prevents students from developing their own 'number sense,' an intuition about numbers and about math which can, if nurtured, make math problems both easier and quicker.
How should I act in class?
I don't mind if you whisper quietly to your neighbors about math, but please refrain from loud outbursts or conversation. Please respect your classmates and your school by treating everyone with dignity and understanding. Avoid obscenities.
I keep coming late to class. Is that a problem?
Yes. You are probably disturbing or distracting other students in the class. You are also missing out on valuable class time. Please make every effort to be on time to every class.
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I keep leaving class early. Is that a problem?
Yes. See previous question.
What is the best way to learn this material?
The best piece of advice I can give you is
to come to class everyday and PARTICIPATE. Do not sit in your chair and watch the class happen passively. Raise your hand and ask questions and use your brain. I cannot just magically transmit mathematical knowledge into your head. As for studying in your own home... it varies from student to student. It is probably not enough for most students to just do the homework, though; read each section and try to understand the concepts. You will not always understand immediately, and it may take several weeks for particularly tricky concepts to sink in. This is normal.
In a previous quarter, I asked some algebra students to give advice to future students taking an algebra class from me;
this is what they said.
What's your story, huh?
I was born and raised here in Seattle, was a slackerish sort of student at Garfield High School; moved to a frigid, bitter land to receive my BS in mathematics from the University of Chicago; came back to more temperate climes to
earn an MS from the UW. Now, obviously, I work here. I can probably beat you at foosball. I like chocolate chip cookies (who doesn't?) but am allergic to nuts.