What is the chance a probability instructor will email you back?

In my Probability class we have been working on a difficult conditional probability assignment for two (three?) weeks. The due date for it was extended because so many of us voiced that we were having a tough time with it. The assignment was meant to be a solitary assignment done over just one week, but the instructor felt that since this is an assignment used in the "brick and mortar" classes, we should also have the benefit of discussion. I was really glad for that, because I really struggled with one particular part of the problem.

Because there is just so much to get done trying to work full time and take two classes, I try to stay ahead of the due dates as much as possible. In this case, when the discussion board opened up, I found out that I was ahead of the class as far as my progress on the problem. My excitement over being able to discuss the problem was dampened because the discussion didn't really add much for me; I had worked all the beginning steps out last week, while others waited until this week to get started. (Let me add that I recognize that they are likely very busy too, and they have just chosen a different way to manage their time as far as when they do classwork. I know not everyone can front load their week like I do.)

So where was I to go for help? Email to the rescue! I am so pleased that our instructor decided to take the time to help me through the difficult steps, and I was able to turn the assignment in last night. We probably had at least 5 rounds of back and forth email over the past week. I am now well versed in writing out conditional probability notation. Solving the problem: no problem, just me and a trusty tree diagram, but the notation just killed me!

This isn't the first time an instructor has taken the time to respond to my email queries. In Algebra II I had a lengthy email chain with the instructor over an extension of a topic in the module, something beyond what the class covered.

So the chance you'll get an email back from my probability instructor? Experimental results say it is 100%

My first post!

Hi! I'm Jessica and I'm new to blogging with Lesley, but not new to blogging. I've been keeping online blogs and journals for over 10 years.

I am currently taking 2 online classes, Geometry and Probability. I've already completed 4 others towards my M.Ed. in Mathematics Education. I am thrilled that when the Fall 1 term is over, I will be over the half-way mark towards earning my degree. Since I am in Iowa, I will be doing the entire program online. I've found that the majority of my classmates are from New England (a few even take classes at Lesley's physical location) but I've also had classmates from all around the country, and one who was international.

Doing two classes at a time, working a full-time job, and maintaining my regular life can be a challenge at times, but it is definitely doable. With two classes there is a lot more to keep track of! It becomes a difficult balancing act during Week 4 and Week 8, when the self-assessments are due (I find that these papers take me a lot of time to do well), but all the other weeks it is just an exercise in time management. I still get to do the fun things I enjoy, but I have pretty much sworn off television- there just isn't enough time. Right now we are in Week 3, so as long as I do a little work each night, I know I will have enough time to get it all done.

Last night, I focused on my Geometry class. This class has been working on constructions, and we have been using three different methods for each construction: compass and straightedge, paper folding, and Geometer's Sketchpad. I'm a traditionalist, so I really like my compass and straightedge, but I've been really impressed with the capabilities in Geometer's Sketchpad. It is an inexpensive piece of software that can do so much. I've found that it is really intuitive to use and since computer use is so ingrained in students' lives, I think it is very important that we learn about technologies that can be incorporated into classrooms to help support their learning.

Web Design, Fun?

Here I am again, almost a full circle. I was the class blogger for one of my first classes at Lesley in pursuing my online graduate program and now I am on my final class to complete my Master's degree. I had never blogged before when I started. I now know so much more like, how to add video and pictures to a blog page (I'll try to find sometime to squeeze that in).

My final class is about web page design. I thought at first that this class was going to be a really tech type class with a lot of material that was above my head. Instead, I am brought back to my childhood when I would love writing secret messages in code.This class is about learning the HTML language used to write web pages. I am having a lot of fun with it. I write or place pictures into this code sequence, and then I can see it happen right before my very eyes. The instant feedback to see if I wrote the code correctly is a great way to learn. Of course, there are those moments when you try everything and it still does not appear the way you intended. That is when our instructor, Bill, comes to the rescue and usually untangles us from the web mess we created (no pun intended).

Picture source:secretbunker.co.uk