Believe Believe in Our Teaching and Our Students

							Believe in Our Teaching and
       Our Students
         Rocky K. C. Chang

        Department of Computing
   The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
      csrchang@comp.polyu.edu.hk
             22 Sept. 2004
                      Believing in
    •   Believing in ≠ dreaming around
    •   Believing in ≠ a psychological game
    •   Believing in ≠ hoping for
    •   Believing is based on
        – Knowledge
        – Personal conviction
        – Personal experience
    • Genuine belief brings actions and
      commitments.

2                 Rocky K. C. Chang, Department of Computing
Believing in our teaching and our
      students is the most
           ACTIVE
  thing to do for our teaching!
I. Back to the reality
         What discouraged you most as a
                    teacher?
    •   Students’ coming late to the class
    •   Students’ talking in the class
    •   Students’ undesirable learning attitude
    •   Students’ disrespect for knowledge
    •   Students’ disrespect for teachers
    •   Students’ plagiarism activities
    •   Students’ feedbacks
    •   The whole enterprise of teaching!!
5                 Rocky K. C. Chang, Department of Computing
    What encouraged you most as a
              teacher?




6         Rocky K. C. Chang, Department of Computing
II. What my students have taught
               me?
                    About them
    • What I see/heard is not what I get.
    • Most of my students so far are
      teachable.
    • Students generally thirst for good
      teaching and encouragement.
    • Some students have a very high
      expectation for teaching.
    • Some students appreciate the sincere
      effort go into teaching, regardless of
      their own performance.
8               Rocky K. C. Chang, Department of Computing
             About my teaching
    • They taught me that one size does not
      fit all.
    • They helped me reflect on the methods
      of assessment.
    • They taught me the importance of
      persistence.
    • They are a constant source of
      encouragement to my teaching.

9              Rocky K. C. Chang, Department of Computing
III. What I know about teaching
     Teaching is not student centered.
     • My students are my students.
     • Teaching is not based on a provider-
       consumer relationship.
     • Teaching has to be teacher centered.
       – Dare to lead and guide.
       – Dare to discipline and rebuke.
       – Dare to demand and to challenge.
     • I believe that students will respect a
       teacher who does not compromise his
       role.
11               Rocky K. C. Chang, Department of Computing
             Teaching is not safe.
     • Teaching is not about guaranteeing a set
       of learning outcomes.
       – Lower the expectations
       – Demand less from the students
     • Teaching is about challenging students’
       and teachers’ limits.
     • I believe that students, who have
       tremendous capacity to learn, can master
       the subject if I can teach effectively.
12               Rocky K. C. Chang, Department of Computing
         Teaching is not performing.
     • We cannot teach what we don’t have.
     • I can effectively teach only what I know
       intimately and hold dearly.
       – Teaching is not only about describing,
         explaining, and interpreting.
       – Good teaching has to include personal
         excitement, conviction, and curiosity.
     • I believe that my motivation and interest
       in the subject can be passed on to the
       students.

13               Rocky K. C. Chang, Department of Computing
IV. If we turn what we believe into
              actions,
         Then, we will discover that
     • All-weather teaching
       – Regardless of the teaching environment
     • Unconditional teaching
     • Teaching techniques and skills become
       very very secondary.
     • The class becomes very much alive.
     • Teaching turns into something to enjoy
       and to gain strength from.

15               Rocky K. C. Chang, Department of Computing
V. My experience in the last term
        My experience in the last term
     • Class A:
       – 46 second-year degree students
       – The bottom of all the PolyU degree programs
         based on the AL scores
       – Quite a few weak students
       – Lectures at 8:30am
     • Class B:
       – 97 first-year degree students
       – Close to the bottom of all the PolyU degree based
         on the AL scores
       – HD and AL students
17                 Rocky K. C. Chang, Department of Computing
                    SFQ scores
     • Teaching was well-organized: 3.8, 4.0
     • Presented the subject clearly: 3.7, 3.7
     • Encouraged students to ask questions:
       4.2, 4.1
     • Help was available when necessary:
       3.7, 4.1
     • Grand mean of items on overall view
       about the teaching of the staff member:
       3.9, 3.9
18              Rocky K. C. Chang, Department of Computing
              An almost final note
     • I am aware that some of you still do not
       feel "secure" and comfortable about
       programming and problem-solving
       (especially in Java).
     • Instead of running away from it, I
       strongly encourage you to spend some
       of your time in this summer to improve
       this important area.
     • Once again, there is nothing too hard
       for you, if you are determined to learn it.
19               Rocky K. C. Chang, Department of Computing
         An almost final note (cont’d)
     • But just let me say this now: thank you
       for journeying with me in the course.
     • Although it is only 14 weeks, I feel much
       longer than that, and in fact a little
       depressed when it finally comes to the
       end of it (post-teaching syndrome).
     • Let me again encourage you to try
       harder in your study and other important
       areas in your lives. Don't waste your
       time and talents bestowed on you.
20               Rocky K. C. Chang, Department of Computing
               A pleasant surprise
     • Wholehearted thanks for your persistent
       consideration, encouragement.
     • Every time when it is almost deadline, you
       would cheer us up.
     • It's really first time that I feel how much
       teachers concern for their students.
     • Every time I would think, how wonderful if all
       teachers can have this attitude.
     • I admit that I am a lazy and easily
       discouraged student, ....
     • Forgive me to say that, if not 305, I would
       have a much much better and lively
       University life.
21                 Rocky K. C. Chang, Department of Computing
         A pleasant surprise (cont’d)
     • However, I still appreciate very much for your
       teaching. You were always cheerful and
       open-minded.
     • I always think if I were you, seeing students
       having little intention to improvement and
       interest, I wouldn't prepare anymore for the
       class.
     • I can't believe how tough you are if I am not
       seeing your continuous caring face.
     • I didn't say any words or reply any e-mail to
       you, but I always wanted to …
     • ThanksThanksThanksThanks~!1millionmillion
       million thanks~

22                Rocky K. C. Chang, Department of Computing
                          My belief
     • My students are my students (if I refuse to
       compromise my role).
     • My students are likable (if I choose to).
     • My students can be motivated (if I am
       motivated and persevere).
     • My students are capable of mastering the
       subject materials (if I teach effectively).
     • My students are my partners in teaching (if I
       allow them to be).
     • I am solely responsible for my students’
       learning outcomes.
23                Rocky K. C. Chang, Department of Computing
VI. Conclusions
                Teaching is not …
     • Teaching is not just about delivering
       lectured materials clearly,
       – although it is a pre-requisite to basic
         teaching.
     • Teaching is not about inventing
       innovative teaching approaches, and
       writing articles about them,
       – although they are indicators of good
         teaching.

25                Rocky K. C. Chang, Department of Computing
                   Teaching is …
     • Above all, teaching is about the
       “relationship” between the teacher and
       learners.
     • The impacts and influence, as a result
       of the interactions, can be mutually felt.
       – These mutual interactions will bring out a
         better student and also a better teacher.
     • Therefore, without my students, my
       teaching is nothing, and so is true in the
       other way around.
26                Rocky K. C. Chang, Department of Computing
  Teaching, if done passionately,
wholeheartedly, and effectively, can
  make a profound impact on my
      students and myself.