I view teaching as an opportunity to empower students with the abilities and skills necessary to be successful. I strive to create an atmosphere that fosters learning while placing emphasis on the student’s role in the educational process. Adopting a more student-centered learning approach, I utilize constructivist methods of instruction that require students to become engaged with the course content. I believe that students must not only understand the content covered in a class, but that the student should be able to synthesize and then apply the content to real world situations. As a result of this philosophy, many of my assessment methods focus on the student’s ability to analyze the course content, develop solutions to real work problems, and implement those solutions in a manner that demonstrates their cognitive engagement with the course material.
When developing a course, degree program, or class lecture; I am diligent in aligning my pedagogical decisions with my teaching philosophy. Hands-on projects and activities are used extensively in my courses. In addition to these types of activities, I utilize a scoring method that encourages students to push beyond their comfort zone. By listing a set of criteria to which an assignment will be graded, but requiring additional elements beyond that list to achieve an “A”, I challenge students to push their learning further in an area related to subject matter but of a personal interest to them.
My approach to advising easily correlates with my teaching philosophy. I expect the student to play a primary role in their advisement after their freshman year. I provide students with the information to make informed decisions regarding their degree plan. After a student has selected an ideal schedule, I check for completion of prerequisites, conflicts, and other issues. I encourage students not to arrive for advising without putting some forethought into their upcoming schedule. I strive to keep the locus of control with the student. I want the student to have ownership in their schedule and in their learning. In addition, I believe that advising extends beyond merely pointing a student to a set of classes that they will need to take. I advise students about career opportunities, available internships, resume preparation, and interviewing processes.
One of the most important concepts that I hope to impart on my students is that learning should be a life-long process. It is essential in this industry for individuals to take an active role in keeping up with the technology and trends that will have a direct impact on their careers. As I continue to teach I follow my commitment to enhance my didactic methods in an effort to create courses and instructional materials that emulates my teaching philosophy.