1 / 17

STATING YOUR TEACHING PHILOSOPHY

STATING YOUR TEACHING PHILOSOPHY. Danielle Mihram, Director Center for Excellence in Teaching University of Southern California. Introduction. What is a “teaching philosophy”? What does it include? What is a good teaching philosophy statement?. What is a “teaching philosophy”?.

mathilda
Download Presentation

STATING YOUR TEACHING PHILOSOPHY

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. STATING YOUR TEACHING PHILOSOPHY Danielle Mihram, Director Center for Excellence in Teaching University of Southern California

  2. Introduction • What is a “teaching philosophy”? • What does it include? • What is a good teaching philosophy statement?

  3. What is a “teaching philosophy”? • An expression of individual values about teaching ( a personal portrait of the writer’s view of teaching). Answers the question: “Why do I teach?” • What motivates me to learn about this subject? • What do I expect to be the outcomes of my teaching? • What is the student-teacher relationship I strive to achieve? • How do I know when I have taught successfully? • What habits, attitudes, or methods mark my most successful teaching achievements? • What values do I impart to my students? • What code of ethics guides me? • What theme(s) pervade(s) my teaching?

  4. Why should I bother to write one? • To document and showcase your reflective teaching -- Indicates that you have taken time to reflect about your teaching within the contents of your own discipline and within the context of your particular classes. • To gain an advantage over other applicants for a teaching position

  5. Contents of Statements of Teaching Philosophy • Integration of responsibilities (teaching, research, service) and how you view yourself supporting the educational mission of the university • Expertise and modes of teaching and learning in the context of your discipline, your department, or your university • The relationships you create and maintain with your students, your TAs, other faculty in the department • What environments do you create that are favorable to learning? • What values do you impart? • What teaching tips, strategies, techniques do you use to enhance your teaching? • How do you measure your students’ learning outcomes?

  6. Questions to help you frame your statement • 1. How does your statement demonstrate to the reader your pedagogical initiative? • 2. Does your approach to teaching show good judgement: careful planning or flexibility when appropriate? • 3. How does your statement articulate openness to different perspectives? And how will you demonstrate this? • 4. Does your statement show awareness of disciplinary conventions/expectations? • 5. How are these ideas consistent with the way you have constructed your courses? • Hanna Rodriguez-Farrar, 18 Aug. 2000 • http://sheridan-center.stg.brown.edu/programservices/resources/tp_Guidelines.shtml

  7. Teaching as an expression of one’s values • Values regarding the goals of teaching may vary from individual to individual • Ensure content knowledge • Develop critical thinking skills • Develop group skills and cooperation • Develop individual skills and encourage independence of thought • A mix of those values (a diversified approach) can be viewed as a strength

  8. What is a good teaching philosophy statement? • A well-articulated teaching philosophy defines the standards for the individual-- It sets the benchmark for measuring: The appropriateness of one’s methods The scope of one’s activities The effectiveness of one’s teachingThe achievement of student learning

  9. Writing a teaching philosophy statement • What are my objectives as a teacher? • What method(s) should I use to achieve (work) toward those objectives? • How shall I measure my effectiveness? • How do I justify my values?

  10. What are my objectives as a teacher? • What are my teaching goals? • See handout: “Questions to ask about student learning outcomes”

  11. What is Effective Teaching? • Six components that work: • 1. Cultivating and maintaining enthusiasm • 2. Preparation and content • Identifying objectives and deciding course content • Designing learning activities • Classroom policies and procedures • A syllabus’s silent message • Communicating structure

  12. What is Effective Teaching? (Cont’d) • 3. Stimulating student thought and interest • Your questions: Do they make your students think? • Discussions, group work, collaborative learning • Teaching to stimulate and motivate • 4. Explaining clearly • How to know when you are not clear and they don’t understand • Making the content relevant • Examples: The case in point that makes it clear

  13. What is Effective Teaching? (Cont’d) • 5. Knowledge and love of content • Is “more better” when it comes to content? • “I know it, therefore I can teach it”: How do you convey knowledge? • 6. Assessing their learning and your teaching • Assessing their learning: exams, written work, projects, presentations, and performances • Effective grading • Assessing your teaching: • Communication and feedback: from your students and your colleagues Sherman, T. M., et al. (1986). “The Quest for Excellence in University Teaching”. Journal of HigherEducation 48(1): 66-84.

  14. What methods should I use? • Various teaching techniques, strategies, exercises. • How do I make decisions about content, resources, and methods?

  15. How do I justify my values? • What, to you, are the rewards of teaching? • What ideals keep you motivated and inspire your students? • How do you want to make a difference in the lives of your students?

  16. How shall measure my effectiveness? • Classroom assessment techniques (Angelo and Cross) -- usually provide relevant feedback from students -- can serve to effect change and re-evaluation • Summarize key points you want your reader to remember

  17. Questions your reader will ask about your statement • What words reveal your teaching values? • What is your teaching style? • How does your teaching experience help you understand how and why you teach? • Does your statement gain your reader’s confidence and respect? What makes him/her distrust your writing? • Is the content of your statement relevant to the discipline? The department? The university? • Are you knowledgeable without coming across as opinionated and dogmatic? • What will your reader remember the most about your teaching philosophy statement?

More Related