My teaching philosophy consists of a variety of beliefs
concerning teaching, learning, the lecturer, students and my
discipline. These beliefs accumulated from my own experience and
reflection as a lecturer, teacher and student.
Primary teaching starts with acknowledging the students' needs,
strengths, weaknesses and abilities. I enhance effective
teaching by creating an informal atmosphere, where groups can
work together. Students need to solve problems themselves rather
than me providing answers and resolving the problems. I motivate
my students to use their critical thinking skills in a creative
way to solve the posed problems. I consider motivation as the
bridge between successful teaching and successful learning. I
belief that self activity, reflection, renewal and to share
accumulated experiences between colleagues, students and the
teaching community forms the base of motivation and effective
learning.
Effective learning in my discipline is important to instil a
sense of interest and challenges to my students ensuring they
are actively engaged in meaningful , critical thinking
orientated learning activities, despite their learning
disabilities. I consider good communication as the foundation of
effective teaching and learning in order to reach the whole
person. To ensure that each student will acquire the learning
outcomes at his/her own pace according to his/her ability. I
incorporate a variety of flexible teaching strategies. These
teaching strategies are mostly based on student centered
learning where I place more responsibilities on the students to
take the initiative for meeting the outcomes of various learning
tasks. Learners learn to actively participate and collaborate
with other students.
I design group activities which necessitates active learning,
student –student collaboration and problem solving. I try to
design learning situations and activities that require students
to process and apply course content in a creative and original
way, regardless of his learning disabilities. The success of my
teaching style is largely dependent on reflection during and
after lectures and through evaluations.
I consider technology as an important source to support student
performance with complex tasks and can be integrated into
activities that form a core part of the curriculum .Technology
has been proved to accommodate learning styles and to be an
effective motivator for students with specific learning needs.
The internet provides a valuable source of content knowledge
when students need to complete research assignments. Technology
not only saves time when preparing my Power Point lecturing
lessons but is also neat, readable and visually interesting.
I set and maintain explicit, high but realistic goals. Teaching
in my discipline allows me to focus on the whole student’s
development rather than only the content matter. My goal is to
ensure that students are well trained teachers that will make a
difference in the future of our children’s lives. To reach my
goal I expect learners to be active learners who will:
- take advantage of extra credit opportunities if offered
- develop a passion for the course
- participate in active and collaborate practices
- take full responsibility for his/her own learning
- complete all assignments correctly and neatly, within the
time frame
- attend classes punctually
- reflect with me on the teaching and learning experience
For me to be a professional lecturer, I aim to be a caring role
model in the lecture room and in the community. Students should
respect me as a competent, positive, fair, and empathy loaded
person. I follow an open door policy where I encourage students
to contact me with any concerns inside and outside of the
lecture room.
I regard professional development as priority in order to stay
abreast with the latest developments in educational matters.
Attending workshops, seminars, reflection activities, conducting
research, be technologically informed, interviewing expertise
and exchanging ideas with colleagues are invaluable resources
for my in depth development.
I see teaching as the most effective and enjoyable way to
change the world. Teaching allows me to make a profound and
positive impact on someone’s life. Through teaching I can make a
difference in my student’s life. I can work on hearts and minds
and guide people in becoming empowered, literate engaged,
liberated human beings who can apply the skills they have
acquired to solve problem based issues in the community.
