Teaching Belief
1. Teaching Style
1. Heuristic teaching: of or constituting an educational method in which learning takes place through discoveries that result from investigations made by the student (American Heritage Dictionary).
This means students will mostly learn from their own experience and effort, instead of get directly from instructors. The more they think and act, the more they will learn. This is also consistent with what Confucius had said, "不愤不启, 不悱不发, 举一隅, 不以三隅反, 则不复也", which basically means that an instructor should not tell students answers until they have thought about the problem and done the work.
Some practical examples:
- I try not to simply give answers; instead, I offer hints or guidance that could lead students to answers if I think they are able to get it. The process seems to take more time, with possible wrong direction and vain effort; and it requires patience from both students and instructors. But I often see students more satisfied once they get through and become more confident. However, be careful if students are trying to guess the answer instead of discovering it though active thinking.
- I encourage students to do some research about their questions before asking them. I will often ask them: "how much do you know about this?"; "what have you done to know it?"; "why don't you do some research and report it back?". Eventually they should have a habit of defining and solving their problems. A better student often extends the learning into a bigger context, defining and answering his/her own questions.
2. Various kinds of balance in teaching/learning
- Teaching vs. learning. Teaching and learning are interactive. Neither instructor nor student should dominate each other. A preferred teaching (and learning) environment is built on a balanced information exchange between the two parties.
- Memorization vs. understanding. Understanding is the basis of memorization. Memorization can also facilitates understanding and communication. Thus, closed book exams are necessary.
- Theory vs. practice. Theory and concepts are as important as practices, and vice versa. Thus, exams and projects are of equal importance.
- Studying vs. thinking. Studying without thinking leads to confusion; thinking without studying leads to exhaustion.
- Self study vs. group study. Both are important. Self study gives you time and patience to organize; group study gives you opportunity to communicate and actively exchange information and learning experience with others.
2. Instructor's Roles
I am a/an:
- Organizer:
I organize and manage learning structure by focusing on fundamental and important knowledge in a limited learning period. - Guide:
I guide and assist students in a reasonable way of thinking and doing within the teaching domain. -
Information source:
I provide sources that potentially extend and expand students' understanding of the subjects.
3. Expectations for students
Besides all other expectations, this one is important: attitude.
Learning is fun, but it is not always fun. Students should anticipate the difficulties and frustrations during the learning process. There is no other way to get around. You need to get the work done despite all kinds of problems. The last thing you want to do is looking for excuses and blaming others. Once you get through it, you will enjoy the experience and feel more confident.