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Email Journals

susan@wildstrom.com

 During each quarter, please send me (not all of them at once but spaced out to roughly every two weeks—deadline dates will be set) five email journals in which you tell me how you see your progress in mathematics.  They should be a few paragraphs long and should include some reflection on your mathematical growth.  They may deal with specifics of the course or they may deal with something else that you have been thinking about (mathematically).   They may describe what is working or not working for you about the class, how you study and learn mathematics, what sorts of activities are helpful, fun (?), etc.  Each journal will be worth 10 points (for just doing it), with the total for each quarter's journal assignment being 50 points.  (You may communicate with me by email as often as you wish, however, when your email represents what you see as a journal entry--and you are not limited to five--please use the word "journal" in the subject line or I may not know to count it as a journal.).

 As a suggestion for a very useful "first" journal, I would enjoy reading a mathematical autobiography in which you would tell me a bit about your mathematical background.  Include your first vivid memory of math, your best and worst experiences with math, any interesting experiences or discoveries that you have made, any activities in which you have participated that have somehow shaped your attitudes toward math, what your attitudes toward math are (have they changed/evolved over time, how), any individuals (with or without names) who have somehow influenced your attitudes (positively or negatively) toward mathematics. Within the bounds outlined above, you control the tone and length.

 DEADLINES (These are mostly SUNDAYS and journals should arrive by 8:00 pm, although they will count as being “on time” provided they have a “date stamp” on or before the deadline date.)  If/when you MISS a deadline, the journal will automatically count for the next journal in line. Do not count on “amnesty” journals, but if you miss a journal deadline and you write the requisite number without missing another deadline, you may be able to avoid the zero for the missed journal.