My personal teaching style is student-centered. This doesn't simply mean that I strive to make the students the focus of my attention; although, that is one of my goals. Student-centered instruction means that the students become actively engaged, participatory members of the class who accept responsibility for their own learning. Therefore, I design my courses to allow for maximum student involvement.
I make myself accessible to students via office hours, telephone, and email; I like to keep the lines of communication open so that students have a clear understanding of what is expected of them as they become actively engaged in their own learning.
In terms of my expectations of students, let me begin by stating what I expect from myself. I believe in being prepared for each class session to make the 50 or 75 minutes of traditional classroom instruction or the lessons and other materials presented through distance learning delivery as complete, clear, engaging, challenging, and worthwhile as possible. I adhere to the proposed schedule, making adjustments only when necessary and always giving students sufficient notice. I expect the same level of preparation from my students. They, too, need to come to class--traditional or distance format-- ready to share, ask questions, contribute. I expect from them no less than I do from myself.
