Revising My Teaching Philosophy, Part I

Last January, instead of rereading and revising my teaching philosophy that I wrote while in grad school (really, who has the time?), I decided I would make a Wordle (word cloud) of it and see if I still "jive" with what is emphasized based on word use.

I like that the word "Students" and "Student" are some of the biggest words there. I’m happy "Learning" and "Learn" are larger; however, I now feel like my emphasis is more on learning that students (although, honestly, they are flip side of the same coin, right?). I am glad that words related to "student" and "learning" are both bigger than words with "teach" in them. I think it is a problem that "Technology" is not their; however, I know in 2001 I wrote a separate "Teaching w/Technology" philosophy.

Other words I’m happy to see:

• questions
• activities
• ideas
• writing
• engage

Words I’d like to see (and/or are not popping out at me):

• literacy
• media
• assessment

Ironically, I guess I had been developing a new teaching philosophy, it just was emerging in relation with my professional development activities (workshops, mentoring, etc.) instead of out of my teaching and learning.

June 27 2010 | Posted in