1. Statement of Teaching Philosophy
Getting Started

3. What Is a Teaching Philosophy?
A 1-2 page long statement of why/how you teach as you do
“Succinct, clearly reasoned,” organized, and systematic statement (not too emotive)
OF your personal beliefs about teaching and/or learning
AND how these influence your teaching methods & choices
THAT combines your beliefs about teaching with your actual practice help you set goals for the future
What Is a Teaching Philosophy?

4. An Example of an Overall Teaching Philosophy [Diction]
“Students are at the core of all my teaching, and the joy [satisfaction?] I receive from my career comes from helping them learn. I believe in the innate desire of all people to grow [learn? evolve? develop?] and become better at whatever they do, and my job is to figure out where my students are, where they’re heading, and to help them get there.”
Donald Gallehr, English Professor, George Mason University
An Example of an Overall Teaching Philosophy [Diction]

5. Teaching Practice: Acting on Beliefs – An Example
“From my perspective, much of a scientist’s skill lies in his or her ability to ask questions. Thought-provoking questions will inevitably lead students and, in the same way, scientists, to discovery. To that end, I create assessments that require students to ask meaningful questions. Among the most effective is an assignment whereby first year students interview an ‘expert’ in some facet of chemistry to determine…”
Natasha Patrito Hannon, Chemistry Professor, Teaching Support Centre © UWO 2007
Teaching Practice: Acting on Beliefs – An Example

6. Specifics Bolster Substance: Be Specific!
“One example of a teaching strategy I employed that accomplished several objectives is an assignment I called an ‘illness narrative.’ For this assignment, students interviewed individuals with a chronic disease to gain an appreciation for the human element, and not just the clinical components of pathophysiology.”
Anonymous Nursing Professor
Specifics Bolster Substance: Be Specific!

7. Follow Through: Impact of the Example
“The student comment that, ‘This was the best way to learn about the disease and how to integrate the person and the disease and not just focus on the disease,’ reflects both the intent of the assignment and the prevailing evaluation of the assignment by my students. For me, the highlight of developing and teaching this course has been the many comments by students that they no longer fear pathophysiology, and they actually understand how it impacts their nursing care.”
Anonymous Nursing Prof
Follow Through: Impact of the Example

8. What Should Be Included in a Teaching Philosophy?
Definition of teaching, definition of learning
View of learner and student development
Explication of student/teacher relationship
Teaching methods
Impact on learner
Innovative teaching approaches
What Should Be Included in a Teaching Philosophy?

9. What Should Your Teaching Philosophy Address?
How students typically learn in the discipline,
Typical learning objectives in your classroom
How you achieve these learning goals
How you approach teaching
How you engage and motivate students
What types of knowledge students learn in your class -- and how
What Should Your Teaching Philosophy Address?

10. Where Do I Start? One Exercise
Think of a recent time when you felt like a successful teacher, mentor, or advisor. OR
Name three key attributes that students in your discipline need to develop in order to be successful.
Where Do I Start?

11. Reflect on Your Response ….
What does your answer indicate about your perspectives on:
The role of the teacher?
The role of the student?
What needs to be learned in your class?
How to teach your subject matter?
How to teach competencies such as communication/critical thinking/ problem-solving?
Your own or your students' learning styles?
Reflect on Your Response ….

12. Reflect on Your Reflection …
In relation to each responses to the questions on the last slide, ask yourself the following to help you clarify some key aspects of your teaching philosophy:
To what end? (Objectives)
By what means? (Teaching methods, innovative activities, how do you decide to include certain resources or content)
To what degree/with what effect? (Effectiveness, student outcomes)
Why? (Why is teaching important)
Reflect on Your Reflection …

13. Proceed Interrogatively as You Tease Out Content
How do you want to be represented to the reader?
This will depend on the purpose of the dossier (faculty position, tenure, teaching award)?
Reflective, scholarly, practical, caring, efficient?
Who are your students?
How do you get to know your students and their prior knowledge?
How do you know what are concepts your students commonly struggle with?
Under what circumstances do your students learn best?
What are your instructional methods?
What do you do to create conditions that optimize student learning and growth?
Proceed Interrogatively as You Tease Out Content

14. How Is a Teaching Philosophy Structured/Framed?
Intro: Thesis statement
What is most important to you about teaching and learning (values and beliefs)? Use reflection to create a vivid description of your teaching & learning ideas
Body: Provide evidence for your claims:
Personalize the approach, draw upon your own experiences; discipline-specific teaching strategies
Conclusion: Wrap up.
Summarize your strengths/goals or discuss your plans for your future as an educator
Format: Usually 1st person, no longer than 2 pages
How Is a Teaching Philosophy Structured/Framed?

15. Preparing a Teaching Dossier. Centre for teaching and Learning, Queens
Preparing a Teaching Dossier. Centre for teaching and Learning, Queens. es/files/What%20we%20do/Assessment%20and%20Teaching%20 Strategies/Teaching%20Dossier/Teaching%20Dossier_Dec17_ppt.p df
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