Teaching Philosophy

My teaching experience is limited at this point so I must base my philosophy of teaching on MIT training and what I value as a learner.  The successful transfer of knowledge occurs when a learner becomes personally engaged in the subject matter. Finding a way to make the material directly relevant to the lives of learners is of paramount importance, and understanding the diversity of learning styles and student experiences is key to enhancing this engagement.  

Higher levels of learning are becoming more important so the paradigm for instruction must continue to change from standardization to customization.  As Reigeluth says, the teacher can’t teach the same thing to a whole class at the same time.  “The teacher has to be more of a guide on the side rather than a sage on the stage.” Achieving this paradigm shift calls for increased utilization of information technology, fellow learners, and other resources for learning. 

Transformative learning involves pain.  Learners are called to challenge existing boundaries by questioning how they have come to know what they believe to be true about their world.  This enables student to view boundaries, whether personal or social, as constructed and affords them an opportunity to challenge and move beyond them.  It is this movement “against and beyond boundaries” albeit painful, that both empowers and transforms learners.