Teaching approach

Teaching Approach

• I believe that when learners are motivated, they are more likely to learn. I consider you to be adults - LEARNING IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY.
• I prefer short lectures, and actively facilitated, guided and experiential discussions and 2-way, interactive activities.
• Improving week-by-week is important. To facilitate that, I assign multiple DRAFT / VERSIONS of the same Assignment.
  • While the DRAFT Assignments are not graded, they are an important way of measuring your own success and improving your writing. They give the Instructor a window into understanding where your gaps are and areas for improvement. They also tell me who is trying to improve and who is doing the work.I respect this effort, and will prioritize my feedback to them, in class. In other words, they will be first in line. After I provide feedback to them, I can provide feedback to others in our class.
• ACTIVE AND SUBSTANTIVE PARTICIPATION IS ESSENTIAL.
• Students EARN good grades by doing the work and learning required. (I do notice improvement throughout the term.)
• I am aware that juggling school, work, family, friends and relationships is stressful. Organizational skills and time management are as important, as ensuring that students adjust their expectations of themselves and their performance - and take time to adapt - to new situations, contexts, systems and processes. It will come, over time.
• I try to use visuals (i.e.., images, videos) when / wherever possible.
• As an Adult Learner, DO NOT WAIT until you receive a "C", "D", or even an "F" on a paper, and go into high-stress, panic-mode. And yes, we certainly don't want you to fail the course. Reach out to me when you need assistance.