In my view, education is all about that curiosity we start to develop as children and continue to have as we learn about the world. Education, therefore, is all about asking questions, listening to others, practicing critical thinking, and being open to change one’s views. My goal in working with students in higher education is not to ‘fill their minds with knowledge’ but rather to help them spark that curiosity and creativity necessary to continue discovering the world and to ultimately become agents of change in society.
By guiding students into the process of academic writing and public speaking, I aim at empowering students to find their own voice. Because I firmly believe that formal education is a true reflection of life outside of academia, my classes incorporate learning approaches that are common practices in many professional environments, such as cooperative learning, project work, and reflective practices.
Some of the cooperative learning strategies implemented in my classroom are peer reviews and group presentations. Learning how to give feedback to classmates and how to work well with others is a skill that will help students in the long run. Through project work, students find topics of interest to them and with my guidance, develop their own "need to know" questions. This is particularly important for students in order to find the motivation to learn and ask good questions when conducting research. Finally, by engaging students in self-reflective practices, such as keeping a diary of their learning process, I aim at fostering an environment in which my students are prone to think about their actions and outcomes, while making appropriate changes to their behavior as they see fit.
As someone who considers herself to be a learner for life, I believe my teaching style reflects my desire to make education a tool for continuous growth, both personally and professionally. Learning in an academic setting must reflect values that are essential outside of the classroom, and it is my duty to help create an environment in which students learn how to learn long after being in my class.
By guiding students into the process of academic writing and public speaking, I aim at empowering students to find their own voice. Because I firmly believe that formal education is a true reflection of life outside of academia, my classes incorporate learning approaches that are common practices in many professional environments, such as cooperative learning, project work, and reflective practices.
Some of the cooperative learning strategies implemented in my classroom are peer reviews and group presentations. Learning how to give feedback to classmates and how to work well with others is a skill that will help students in the long run. Through project work, students find topics of interest to them and with my guidance, develop their own "need to know" questions. This is particularly important for students in order to find the motivation to learn and ask good questions when conducting research. Finally, by engaging students in self-reflective practices, such as keeping a diary of their learning process, I aim at fostering an environment in which my students are prone to think about their actions and outcomes, while making appropriate changes to their behavior as they see fit.
As someone who considers herself to be a learner for life, I believe my teaching style reflects my desire to make education a tool for continuous growth, both personally and professionally. Learning in an academic setting must reflect values that are essential outside of the classroom, and it is my duty to help create an environment in which students learn how to learn long after being in my class.