Teaching Philosophy

Based on research and my own teaching experience (including my mistakes!), I have developed and use the following teaching principles to organize my in-person and online courses:

1. Social learning. Effective learning is social, thus course participants should have opportunities to exchange ideas with peers, network with professionals, work on group projects, and interact course instructors and teaching assistants.

2. Learner-centered experience. My students have different interests, learning goals, and preferred learning styles. They become more motivated learners when, in addition to required materials, they can choose from a variety of optional learning materials and assignments that resonate with their interests.

3. Research-based. Course structure and materials must be based on conceptual ideas and empirical findings from research publications. Successful courses present both established theoretical frameworks and results of empirical research.

4. Critical thinking. Courses should foster critical thinking, and promote analysis and discussion of any learning materials.

5. Knowledge creation and innovation. Teaching should encourage higher-level thinking among students (see Bloom's Taxonomy of Learning) to help them use theory to improve practice, and advance their academic fields by creating new knowledge. For example, a final course assignment can be producing a new activity plan for educators, or developing a creative solution for an urban environmental issue.

6. Writing. Writing clearly is hard. But nothing else is so effective in organizing our thinking. I often give students writing assignments: from daily reflections in summer courses, to weekly discussion boards in online courses, to creative final projects.

7. Supporting risk. Within reasonable boundaries, I support students trying new and creative approaches to complete course assignments. They may face risk of failure, yet they can come up with novel perspectives, critique, and presentation of their projects.