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Math 110B: Modern Algebra

Reflection on Instructional Change:

Math 110B is a continuation of a year long algebra course offered by the Mathematics and Statistics department. One major obstacle that I have encountered in the online environment is the lack of collaboration and the difficulty in obtaining information about formative assessment. I implemented two strategies in order to address these. I have created small group activities on google Jamboard and incorporated pre-assignment for each homework where a student is asked to reflect on each problem given in the assignment. The pre-assignments are given as free response quizzes which are completed when the homework is assigned. I then give feedback and answer any questions that the were raised in the students reflection.

My decision to use Jamboard was directly influenced in by my experience in the STEM sidecar. I was unaware of the Jamboard tool before I entered the Sidecar, but now I use it in many of my classes for group work. While I had tried to use breakouts and group work in remote learning before the Sidecar I would not have classified it as productive or meaningful for my students. I was able to make such activities more successful by implementing ideas my colleagues shared in the Sidecar. I now design my breakout activities to be short with clear instructions, goals and roles for each student.

The pre-assignments I have implemented were designed to address equity of access for my students. Many students are not able to make set office hours for a class, or are too shy to ask an instructor for help. The pre-assignment reflections have given me a way to dialogue with students about more difficult problems in a way that works with their schedules. I also believe that this mode of communication has made students more comfortable asking questions via email and attending office hours.

A poll getting the initial thinking of students about which properties of rings are inherited by their subrings.

This is a jamboard activity in which students explored the properties of polynomials over a ring in small groups.

A collaborative group activity on Google Jamboard exploring polynomials over a ring.

A student question along with my response as part of a pre-assignment reflection.

Post Side Car - Syllabus and Schedule

Pre Side Car - Syllabus and Schedule

Faculty Biography

I am an associate professor in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics at Sacramento State. My passion is teaching and making a positive impact on the students I have the great privilege of interacting with on a daily basis.

This work was supported by the National Science Foundation NSF Hispanic Serving Institution Award 1832335. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.