TEACHING PHILOSOPHY

Conceptualization of Teaching:

Teaching is not merely imparting knowledge into the minds of students, but also helping them understand the information that is presented.  Understanding occurs when students are able to link information discussed in class to what they observe in nature or their own life experiences.  For many students, real-world examples in class are the only connection they can make with the outside world.  However, those students who participate in undergraduate research are able to create new life experiences that facilitate the learning process and increase understanding.

Conceptualization of Learning:

Learning is the process of acquiring information and can be done in a variety of ways.  However, the best students are those who take an active role in forging their own understanding rather than being passive recipients of information.  Active learning can take various forms (e.g., think-pair-share, one-minute papers, problem-based learning), all of which help students understand the material by engaging them in the learning process.  Perhaps one of the most important ways in which students can increase learning is through undergraduate research.

What Makes an Effective Teacher:

Although the ultimate responsibility for learning rests with students, effective teachers encourage students to engage in the learning process.  These teachers use a combination of teaching methods, not just lecturing, to help students understand the material that is presented.  They respect their students, believe in their students, and care about their students.  Effective teachers make everything a learning experience including the exams.  They are enthusiastic and well prepared for each and every lecture.  Most importantly, effective teachers are effective researchers and are able to incorporate their research into the classroom!

Goals for Students:

As an educator in the Biological Sciences, I have three primary goals for my students that transcend all biology courses: (1) understand the importance of research in education, (2) gain an appreciation for the diversity of life both in form and function, and (3) use scientific knowledge gained in class to make educated decisions about biological issues that arise in everyday life, such as biodiversity, cloning, and global warming.  Although the degree to which these three goals are met depends on the type of course, I believe focusing on these goals will enable students to have a broader and deeper understanding of science, in general, and biology, in particular.