MY TEACHING PHILOSOPHY

Experience is the best teacher. Julius Caesar’s wise words form the core of my teaching philosophy. I believe students learn by doing.

And if by doing, they develop life skills such as respect, curiosity, critical thinking, resilience and patience, I’d be the happiest teacher on earth. I know that if students are introduced to these life skills early on, they will find them very useful and valuable for the rest of their lives.

As someone who practices what he preaches by still being part of the radio industry, I will teach these skills by tying in the modules to my personal experiences and the outside world, and as close as possible, simulating the same experiences in the classroom. Students tend to remember more what they are taught and can easily apply them to their everyday lives if concepts and theories are explained via storytelling with real-life examples and facilitating an experiential environment.

I will use my module to develop in the students a sense of awareness – of their community and the world around them by weaving into lessons and assignments, activities that will bring them face to face with people in their neighbourhood. I’d like to think of my role as a provider of tools for my students to use in making a difference in their community.

For me, teaching Radio Production to students is about teaching them how to connect with people - to communicate clearly, efficiently and effectively. It’s about building in them a sense of confidence to be creative and brave in putting forth their ideas. My goal is to teach my students to be able to think on their feet and see the world in a different light while encouraging responsible self-expression.

REFLECTIONS & THOUGHTS ON PEDAGOGY

On Good Teaching

I believe one’s effectivity as a teacher is greatly improved if one practices what he preaches. As someone who’s still actively immersed in the radio industry, the lessons come alive because the students are learning lessons straight from the source. Beyond using the proper tools and employing good strategies, making students understand context, and as a lecturer, understanding how they process information, their motivation and what impedes their learning process, I believe, is what good teaching is all about.

On Effective Learning

I think learning happens when students are allowed to engage in activities that empower them – activities that allow them to lead, create, strategize, collaborate, decide and execute assignments on their own. Students also learn when feedback is quick even when the ‘grading’ may not be. Whenever a student asks relevant questions, when assignments submitted reflect the concepts discussed in class, when students are able to explain concepts correctly to their classmates, when they can justify their alternative approaches in completing their projects with conviction, that’s when I know the students have understood the lessons and may very well be an indication that learning has taken place.

Awards and Recognition

School Teaching Award Recipient, Academic Year 2017/2018. Given to a lecturer at Ngee Ann Polytechnic in recognition of outstanding teaching and performance in the classroom.

School Teaching Award Nominee , Academic Year 2019/2020. Nominated to receive a teaching award at Ngee Ann Polytechnic in recognition of outstanding teaching and performance in the classroom.