Philosophy of Teaching Statement

This document is a hybrid between a philosophy of teaching and a teaching statement.  My goals are to describe my approach to and style of teaching as well as detail my teaching interests and accomplishments to potential employers, students, and colleagues.

Abstract

My goal as a Library and Information Science (LIS) educator is to prepare and inspire future librarians, information professionals, and information scientists.  I will attempt to achieve this through engaging, multimedia lecture presentations, and small group activities to engage with different learning styles and build communication skills.  Meaningful and relevant assignments will allow students to incorporate their own experiences and background knowledge into products that have real-world applications.  Projects such as reference and reader’s advisory interviews, information needs assessments, resource guides, research methodologies papers, and analytic papers will help develop the critical thinking, verbal, and research skills that students will need to succeed and stay motivated.  My students will also develop an understanding of the competing concepts of information and how they influence the study and practice of LIS.  I wish to instill a desire for lifelong learning in my students. In order to better my own instructional abilities, I participate in teaching workshops and seminars, as well as attend and present research at symposia and conferences to keep up on current trends in the field.

Philosophy of Teaching Statement

Librarianship, as a profession, is constantly evolving based on the information needs of the community.  In order to satisfy these needs, librarians and information professionals require a genuine desire to help people as well as the skills to do so.  My role as a teacher or teaching assistant is not only to impart this sincere interest of helping others in students, but also to prepare them to excel as information professionals.

Similarly, information science remains ever-changing as new perspectives on information are developed and researched.  Information floods every aspect of our lives.  Yet, even information science has struggled to concretely define information as a concept.  Nonetheless, we all interact with information for a variety of reasons and for a plethora of uses.  However, with this overabundance of information, users can become overwhelmed, confused, or even mislead.  A broad and in-depth understanding of the various paradigms of information science and their influence on research and practice will enable my students to become critical thinkers and adept researchers.  My research on how individuals in virtual worlds encounter, collect, manage, communicate, and use information will provide insight into how to best motivate and teach future information scientists.

The above goals will be achieved through engaging lectures and activities as well as coursework.   Small group work and large class discussions will be integrated into the lectures.  Presentations will involve media of different types to help those with different learning styles.  I think that learning is a continuous process that is facilitated through both the application of theory and integration of life experience.  The assignments I will administer will give my students the chance to incorporate their own knowledge and create products that will prepare them for their futures and supplement their current endeavors.

Time is more precious than ever.  As such, I will strive to not assign “busy-work,” but meaningful and applicable assignments.  I believe that reflective and analytic papers and small group work will allow students to improve their critical thinking, verbal, and writing skills.  In the work place, librarians and information professionals must be able to successfully communicate and cooperate with diverse individuals both as coworkers and patrons.  Small group work will help ensure participation and encourage students to voice their opinions in a constructive and safe environment.

Assignments, such as information needs assessments, readers’ advisory and reference guides, practice reference interviews, research methodologies papers, and analytical papers, will allow me to assess the abilities of my students, as well as my abilities as an educator.  I will grade firmly, yet fairly; and provide substantive, thoughtful, and timely feedback.  These assessments will also allow me to see how effective my lectures are and whether the students are getting the things I am teaching out of the assignments and lectures.  I realize that each student learns by different means.  In order to provide aid and guidance specific to the needs of my students, I will supply opportunities for advising through office hours and scheduled meetings as well as be reachable by email.  I also realize that life happens and will be willing to work with students to find solutions to make up missed work or classes.

Through my research, participation in professional development workshops, and attendance of LIS conferences, I will continually expand upon my own knowledge and skills.  I will also expect and encourage evaluation from students and professional colleagues.  My philosophy of teaching will continue to evolve based on my experiences both as a student and as an instructor.  In regards to LIS instruction, Dr. Don Latham of Florida State University is an outstanding exemplar of both excellent teaching and depth of knowledge of the discipline.  His assignments are useful and enlightening for librarians, information professionals, and information scientists in that they challenge students to tackle critical issues and develop creative solutions.  Many of his assignments include space for the student to reflect constructively and critically on their own experiences in order to assess what they have learned from the assignments and what they have learned about themselves.  I think that is important to know yourself in order to utilize your true strengths and fortify your weaknesses.  Following his example, I strive to constantly improve my teaching so that I may aid in the preparation of confident and successful librarians, information professionals, and information scientists.

Teaching Interests

  • Online Research Methods and Ethics
  • Graphic Novels and Young Adult Literature
  • Reader’s Advisory and Collection Development
  • Reference Services

Teaching Experience

Teaching Assistant – Graduate Level

  • Graphic Novels in Libraries (Co-developed with Don Latham, PhD) – Summer 2013, Summer 2012
  • Design & Production of Networked Multimedia – Fall 2012
  • Introduction to Information Technology – Summer 2012
  • Information Needs of Young Adults – Spring 2012

Teaching Assistant – Undergraduate Level

  • Perspectives on Information Technology  – Spring 2013, Fall 2012, Spring 2012, Fall 2011

Teaching Honors

  • Outstanding Teaching Assistant, 2013, School of Library & Information Studies at FSU
  • Panelist, 6/18/2013, Teaching Assistant Bootcamp, School of Library & Information Studies at FSU

Lectures

  • Manhwa:  An introduction to Korean Graphic Novels. Class lecture developed for Master’s level course, Graphic Novels in Libraries.  School of Library & Information Studies, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL. Presented 7/9/2013.
  • Anime Advisory.  Class lecture developed for Master’s level course, Graphic Novels in Libraries.  School of Library & Information Studies, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL. Presented 7/2/2013.      
  • Manga & Manhwa:  An introduction to Japanese and Korean Graphic Novels.  Class lecture developed for Master’s level course, Graphic Novels.  School of Library & Information Studies, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL. Presented 7/7/2012 & 9/25/2012.
  • Graphic novels, film, & digital games.  Class lecture developed for Master’s level course, Graphic Novels.  School of Library & Information Studies, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL. Presented 7/30/2012.
  • Graphic Novels & Reader’s Advisory.  Guest lecture. School of Library & Information Studies, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, Presented 11/30/2011, 2/28/2012, & 4/4/2012.
  • The Goldstein Library: Collections and Services. Guest lecture. School of Library & Information Studies, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL. Presented 5/17/2011 & 5/19/2011.
  • What is the FSU CCI ALA Student Chapter? Guest lecture. School of Library & Information Studies, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL. Presented 9/30/2010.