James Jones - General Information
- Title:
- Associate Professor of Mathematics
- Office:
- C223 - located in the Occupational
and Technical Division, formerly known as the Occupational &
Technical Career Programs West (OTCPW) office suite, formerly
known as the Industrial Technology & Mathematics Division.
It is at the north end of the upstairs center hallway.
- Phone:
- 217 875-7211, ext 490 (automated system)
- 217 875-7200, ext 490 (operator assisted)
- 217 875-6965, fax
- Web Address:
- http://people.richland.edu/james/
- Email Address:
- james@richland.edu
- Office Hours:
- These are the times that I plan on being in my office. I
am available other times, and am willing to help students as
long as I don't already have another commitment.
MON TUE WED THU FRI
----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
12:00-12:50 12:00-12:50 12:00-12:50
4:00- 4:50 4:00- 4:50
- Teaching Schedule:
- I am in class during these times.
You might try to catch me before, after, or between
classes if you can't find me in my office. I generally do not
come back to my office between consecutive classes.
-
- Meeting Times and Rooms
Time MON TUE WED THU FRI
----------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
10:00-10:50 Math 113 Math 113 Math 113 Math 113
S137 S137 S137 S137
11:00-11:50 Math 122 Math 122 Math 122 Math 122
S137 S137 S137 S137
1:00- 1:50 Math 116 Math 116 Math 116 Math 116
S137 S137 S137 S137
5:00- 7:20 Math 121 Math 121
S137 S137
- Education / Experience:
- I graduated Richland Community College with an A.S. degree
with a Mathematics concentration. I then went to Eastern Illinois
University where I received a B.A. in Mathematics with the Teacher
Certification option. I joined the R.C.C. staff immediately after
receiving my B.A. as the Study Assistance Center Coordinator
and Adjunct Mathematics Faculty. I held both jobs for three years
and continued my education at Sangamon State University. I became
a conditional full-time Mathematics Instructor in August 1992
pending the completion of my Master's degree. I received my M.A.
in Mathematical Sciences from Sangamon State University in May
1993. I received tenure at Richland in 1995. I received a promotion
to Assistant Professor of Mathematics in the Spring 1996 semester. I was
promoted to Associate Professor of Mathematics in the Spring 2000 semester.
- I have taken additional classes in Statistical Computing at the
University of Illinois, Springfield, in 1999 and attended an
ICTCM short course on using the web in
mathematics on the campus of Texas A&M University in May 2001.
- Professional:
- I am a member of the Illinois Mathematics Association of
Community Colleges.
- I have the extra duty assignment as the Internet Systems
Specialist for the College. Among other things, this means I
am responsible for keeping the Internet up and going at Richland.
- Personal:
- Height is 186.69 cm if I stand up straight, but call myself
185.42 cm since I never stand up straight. In August 1999, I went to
the doctor's office for a physical. Rather than measuring my
height, the nurse simply asked how tall I was (as a statistics
instructor, this method of data collection really bothered me).
Soon after that, I had a body composition test performed recently where our
fitness instructor was kind enough to guesstimate my height. He said
it was the height I've been claiming (even down to the 1/2"
I throw in), so I feel better knowing that I haven't been misrepresenting
my height for all these years.
I used to say that my mass was about 83.01 kg, but I didn't
have any scales to verify that. But, I finally broke down and
bought scales so that I could weigh my garage door. Feeling that
buying scales just to weigh the garage door was a waste of money
(how often does the weight of the garage door fluctuate?), I
decided to weigh myself. When I first stepped on them, it came
in at 240 lbs. I yelled "No Way!" (literally) as I
have never been above 200 lbs in my life. Then I took the scales
off the plush carpet and into the bathroom where the floor is
tiled and was much more comfortable with the reading. Still not
entirely happy, as it now read 86.36 kg, but much happier than
when it read 240 lbs.
- Eye color is blue, when not red from lack of sleep.
- As for general health, I had a complete physical including
lab work and a body composition test performed during the fall
of 1999. I came in at 18% body fat. For males my age and height,
13-19% is normal, so I guess that's a good thing. Actually, all
of the results from all of the tests came back without any problems,
so I'm in better shape than I thought I was.
My temperament used to be melancholy with about equal parts of
phlegmatic and choleric, but very little sanguine. Over the last several
years, the choleric has diminished and the phlegmatic become more
dominant. So, at this time, I would have to say I'm a mel-phleg borderline
phleg-mel. Generally, that means that I am analytical, self-sacrificing,
gifted, calm, easy going, and rarely angered (that last one is not a
challenge).
-
I like to think that I have a sense of humor. I do know that you need to
be able to laugh at yourself so that when other people laugh with
you, they really are. I try to convey this attitude in class and keep
things light. Hey, people have enough anxiety about mathematics anyway
without making it boring and stressful to boot.
- My Myers-Briggs Type
Indicator is ISTP - Introversion, Sensing, Thinking, Perception.
Internally, I tend to be ISTJ. I scored a 0 on the feeling aspect
of the indicator. That doesn't mean I don't have feelings, just
that I prefer to think, rather than feel.
- I've taken a couple of spiritual gifts inventories. In 1997, I scored
highest in exhortation, helps, and leadership, followed closely by
administration, hospitality, prophecy, and service. In 2000, I scored
highest in leadership, helps, teaching, wisdom, exhortation, giving, and
knowledge. We won't go into what I scored lowest on ... suffice it to say
that one can't be gifted at all things.
I like to play the piano. Actually, I would like to be able
to play the piano correctly - as opposed to as hard and as fast
as I can. Every now and then they even let me play at church. The
picture to the right is of me playing "Give the World a Smile", my mom's
favorite song. There's no audio, but it sounds better that way.
- I attend the First General Baptist Church. I play the piano
(keyboard) and lead singing for children's church. We have a
really wonderful pastor - and I'm not just saying that because
he's my brother and I'm proud of him.
- If you want to know anything else about me, feel free to
ask. I may not answer, but that shouldn't stop you from asking.