Skip to main content

Instructor Integrates Life Lessons into Math

Dr. Josephine Davis is a world traveler who has had a wide range of experiences with the Wonders of the World. From walking the Great Wall of China, exploring the inner chambers of the pyramids, to exploring the rain forests of Victoria Falls. She has ascended the slopes of Mt. Kilimanjaro, had close encounters with elephants in the wild, and taken African safaris by foot,  sea, and Land Rover. 



Dr. Davis is a longtime eCore online instructor and the Interim Dean for the College of Arts and Sciences at Fort Valley State University, one of eight eCore affiliate institutions in the University System of Georgia. 

Dr. Davis says eCore has given her and her students the opportunity to interact with other students from diverse institutions with very diverse backgrounds, interests and needs. Teaching eCore classes has given Dr. Davis round-the-clock access to her students and she noted: "With this communication capability, I am able to interact with students at a more personal and immediate level."

 "I particularly enjoy the transition that I witness in students who initially believe that math is a subject for computing and not writing. As the course progresses, the students are surprised at how adept they have become in expressing themselves in writing using appropriate mathematical language. They arrive at understanding that mathematics is more about cultivating habits of mind, ways of perceiving reality than just doing the computation to get an answer to a problem".

She has found it insightful to have students share their motivational poems, stories or life lessons. After midterm, she knows that some students' spirits are low because their performance does not meet their expectations. So she has used blogging to encourage students to share anonymously with each other what motivates them through life's challenges. She has also found that students are very innovative and resourceful in finding websites that add value to our classroom topics of discussions. Dr. Davis incorporates a variety of technological resources available to enliven the eCore classroom experience for her students. Using diverse technologies to engage students using a variety of media resources.

What's next on Dr. Davis' list? "I have visited China on three previous occasions and have a trip planned within a couple of weeks. This trip is interesting because I will share my enthusiasm for China travel with my four granddaughters. This fulfills a promise that I made to them of taking them abroad when they become teenagers - for them it will be the opportunity for them to come of age on the global stage,"she said.

by Carlos Schweinfurth

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Spring Semester: Overcoming the January Blues

Spring semester often presents with the excitement of New Year’s Resolutions, new classes and the knowledge that spring break is just a few weeks away. However, it also brings a sense of sadness for many students as December holiday activities have concluded and the days are short. For online students, these feelings of general sadness can be even more pronounced if the student is isolated. Fewer people are outdoors during the cold days of winter and social activities have likely slowed down. Following are a few tips for feeling your best as the semester unfolds. Know that you aren’t alone. The January Blues and the February Slump are well recognized. If you have these feelings, embrace them and understand that occasional blues are normal. Get outdoors . As an online student, it’s very important that you are intentional about spending time in the sunlight. Some believe that the January blues are caused in part by the lack of sunlight (as compared to summer months). Take time for daily...

USG eCampus Helps HR Staffer Find Second Chance at College After Pandemic

Jasmin Khan recalls the unease she felt when working at a hospital as a Human Resources Assistant during COVID-19. Like so many, Khan found unexpected challenges when the pandemic brought physical and emotional hardships to most Americans. Acknowledging the “chaos in her life” caused by the pandemic, she left the job she loved to take a remote role.  While remote work felt safer, she soon realized that her lack of a four-year degree limited her career opportunities. When considering pursuing a promotion, she became concerned that she had the skill set but was lacking the required level of education. No matter how impressive her experience, career progression was difficult without a bachelor’s degree.  And as a busy mother of two young children, she found flexible and affordable options for returning to school very limited. The Search for Flexibility and Quality Then she discovered Georgia Southwestern University’s online programs through USG eCampus. “It felt like a breath of ...

Fall Job Fairs Announced for Students Across the USG

A priceless benefit of being a student at a college or university in the University System of Georgia (USG) is the opportunity to attend job fairs. Job fairs often attract companies to campuses who are eager to hire upcoming graduates. Taking advantage of these events while still a student can provide you with opportunities that may be harder to find later. Even if attending a job fair doesn’t lead directly to employment, the experience of networking and talking to recruiters will be beneficial. Below is a list of just some of the job fairs scheduled for Fall 2024 across the USG.  If you’re institution is not listed, check the career services page on your institution’s website. New information for fall fairs may be forthcoming. Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College What: General career fair with employers, internships, and graduate schools When: November 6, 2024, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. For: All ABAC students Where: Tifton Campus Albany State University What: General career fair with ...