Hello Math Majors,
Since I last wrote you to you on Monday, March 9, many, many things have changed about almost everything. Spring classes have been moved online, you have been pushed to go home or isolate in the dorms, and I have been told to work from home. I know that these changes have likely been stressful for you as they have been stressful for me. However, I know that we will get through this if we all stick together while practicing social distancing. Remember, I am here to help you succeed academically, professionally, and personally.
In this newsletter, I have included some great information from the academic success coaches in the Center of Academic Success and Transition about making the transition to all online, remote classes. For those of you who have never taken an online course before, this is likely going to be a difficult change, but it will not be as difficult as you think. I never took an online course as an undergraduate student, but I have taken both traditional and online courses as a graduate student. Online classes feel different, but you can still be just as connected to your instructor and classmates as you would be during in-person classes. One thing that I can tell you for certain, you will need to spend a lot of time reading that you would have normally spent in class with your instructor and classmates. This will be more than just reading the textbook. You will need to read and potentially watch course lectures, and you will need to read and participate in course discussions. Please do not under estimate how much time you will need to spend reading for your class.
For many of your instructors, the transition to online, remote classes is going to be a brand new challenge. Please be patient with your instructors as they have not been given a lot of time to make the transition to all online classes. Some classes are easier to teach in an online format than others, and I know that your instructors are going to do their best to make their class a good learning environment. I know that your instructors want you to succeed academically, so please be patient and flexible as we all make this transition.
If you have any questions or concerns or if you need help establishing a study plan for this new way of taking classes, please do not hesitate to contact me or to schedule an appointment with me.
@huskers.unl.edu Email Address
Starting this past summer, ALL University email messages are going to your @huskers.unl.edu email address regardless of your email preferences on MyRed. You MUST check your @huskers.unl.edu email address regularly to stay up-to-date with important announcements from the University. If you would like more information about this change, please visit https://its.unl.edu/helpcenter/student-email-migration/ and review the current student tab of information. All students will be expected to be reviewing their @huskers.unl.edu email address, so if you miss an important piece of information sent to this email, you will still be held responsible for it. If you know your fellow classmates haven't switched over to using their @huskers.unl.edu email address, PLEASE give them this information.
Thanks,
Doug
Doug's Spring 2020 Advising Hours
For the remainder of the semester, I will be advising remotely and by appointment only. To make an appointment, you may use MyPLAN, call me at 402-472-4319, or e-mail me to request one. There are two ways for us to meet virtually:
• Zoom (on-line video/audio or phone) – after you schedule your meeting, I will send you instructions for getting connected. You do not have to have a video and audio connection, but it would be ideal for the best communication including screen sharing. You can also call in using Zoom if you do not have access to a computer or device.
• E-mail – prior to our arranged appointment time, e-mail me your questions from your @huskers.edu account. I will respond to your initial questions, then we can exchange messages throughout our allotted time. If we run out of time, we can schedule a follow up. Continued emailing outside of your appointment time may have delayed response due to an increase in email traffic, but I will respond as quickly as possible.
Please specify in your meeting request what format you prefer for our meeting. I look forward to connecting and helping you navigate a successful end to Spring semester, plan for summer or fall classes, and stay on track for graduation. Stay current on UNL’s response to COVID-19 by regularly visiting https://covid19.unl.edu/students. Please practice the CDC recommendations for preventing illness: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/prevention-treatment.html.
Dr. Ledder's Spring 2020 Advising Hours
Dr. Ledder is also happy to see students by appointment as well using email, telephone, Skype, or Zoom. You can schedule an appointment with him by emailing him at gledder@unl.edu.