Teaching Philosophy #1

Teaching Philosophy

As I am relatively new to the teaching end of the learning world I anticipate that I will be entertaining many suggestions/ideas that may be incorporated into my own teaching style. I am a compassionate person and this will be shown in the way that I teach and interact with my students. I am also a very analytical person, meaning I like to question why things are the way they are and I hope that my students can develop some of that questioning personality by asking questions that I might not even have an answer for. This way the circle will complete itself, as learning and teaching go hand in hand, having the teacher learn a little from their students.

Here are a couple of points that I think gives you the big picture:

1.       Be prepared

·         Have all materials ready and give students plenty of time to go over them.

·         Use outside sources to draw students into what may have to be a lecture.

2.       Promote student success

·         Set goals for the students and for yourself.

·         Encourage the easy and the tough questions.

·         Get to know students on a more personal basis by having an open door policy.

·         Have students get to know each other so they can help each other when you are not available.

3.       Make the experience memorable

·         Use humor, games, common interest, real world examples, or just something the engage student’s interest and make it fun.

·         Make what can be interactive interactive.

·         Have the students become the teacher, whether it is presenting something to the whole class or by having in-class study groups.

4.       Admit when you do not know

·         Show students that you are only human too; this will demonstrate to them that the goals you have set for them are attainable.