TEACHING GOALS FOR THE NEXT FIVE YEARS

            I use goal setting as a tool for enhancing the effectiveness of my teaching.  At the end of each semester, I reflect on my teaching and think of ways I can improve the course.  Although my goals may change over time, by setting them I know exactly what I want to achieve over the next few years to help me become a more effective educator.  My current teaching goals for the next five years are:

• to clearly define learning objectives for each of my courses
• increase the critical thinking aspects of all of my classes
• incorporate more problem-based learning
• use more multimedia in the classroom
• increase student interest in the sciences
• refine my public speaking ability
• incorporate more real-world examples into lecture
• increase student awareness to biological issues such as global warming and biodiversity
• improve my testing to make it more of a learning experience
• maintain a healthy interest in my students