2/10/2011 LIS 688 Information Literacy Personal Teaching philosophy As a graduate student in library and information science, I know that teaching and instructing will be a part of my job in some way no matter what path I choose to take within the profession. The following philosophy is based on my own personal experiences teaching and learning as well as on the readings and the class discussions. As a teacher I will try and help students form bridges between what they already know and have experienced and what they are about to learn and also build bridges and connections to each other. As an instructor I will be charged with facilitating the classroom structure and ultimately responsible for learning outcomes, but I also know that every student has something valuable to offer their peers and myself because of the constructivist nature of learning. As an instructor I will aim to make every student feel as though their perspectives and ideas are vital and important, thus hopefully succeeding in building those bridges and keeping them engaged. As an instructor I will strive to present information in multiple ways so I can reach all students in a way that they prefer. I believe that incorporating lecture, discussion, group and individual activities and creative outlets within the classroom are important. I’d prefer to give students several different options as to individual and group activities to show what they’ve learned. For instance, I might give options to write a paper, make an aid and give a presentation, make marketing material or “cheatsheets”, all with the goal of students proving they understand the material while letting them do it in a way that works for them.
As a student I have thrived in classes where there are both concrete answers as well as an opportunity to base opinions and ideas on those concrete answers. As an instructor I will try to keep students engaged by giving them to tools needed to form opinions, ideas and values of their own on the subject matter presented, and strive to provide a safe, respectful atmosphere for them to develop and share these ideas. One way I can do this is by implementing a holistic approach. I believe that as a teacher/instructor I have a duty to my co-workers and peers as well as to my students to put what we are learning in context. I feel that the most effective teachers I have had have successfully helped their students answer the “so what” and “why does this matter” questions. I believe that successful teachers are able to show their students how the material learned in class transcends the period or semester, and aids students in building constructivist bridges between classes, subject matter and past, present and future experiences. I see knowledge, education and information literacy more of a web than a linear prescriptive pathway, and feel that sometimes when we put it in terms of classes and plans of study we lend the knowledge learned in term classes to be compartmentalized. As an instructor I will strive to lead students to understand how all of these things are interconnected and by gaining certain skills in one area, especially one like information literacy, they are exponentially increasing their potential in another. As a professional, I will strive to form connections and partnerships with professors to help meet the needs of their students and meet the goals of the class. Professors being on board with information literacy instruction is important to it’s sucesss, so I will strive to nurture relationships and and prepare lessons that benefit
everyone involved. I will work with professors to find the best schedule, topics, and presentation forms that wil lbe the most efficeient and educational for everyone involved. I will also strive to stay professionally active in professional organizations and other community tools, including list serves and professional journals. Staying professionally active will help me stay in-tune with what is going on in the profession and help me stay educated on current trends. I will also strive to seek out continuing education opportunites so that I can use the latest tools and pedagogy to best help my students. While I’m not sure where I’ll end up yet professionally, I do know that knowing how to teach the use of information will be beneficial to me as a professional and the community I serve. Understanding how information literacy instruction is delivered and received will help me preform in any part of the infformation demand and and supply chain. Being able to “think like a consumer” will help me better serve my community in whatever facet of the library proffession I end up workin in professionally.