The fast developments in information technology bring a huge challenge to IS educators, which is how IS education can best prepare students for novel and ever-changing industry demands. This challenge requires IS educators to provide our students with solid training not only in fundamental skills but also in critical thinking and self-learning. Thanks to my experience as an instructor, I have developed my own teaching philosophy which has been proved to be effective and well accepted by my students. I have twice taught the course “Business Data Communications” for senior undergraduates. This course includes a fundamental part about TCP/IP and network design as well as a relatively new part about cyber security and digital privacy. The following key points illustrate my teaching practice and teaching philosophy.
Stimulate students’ interest by relating basic knowledge to everyday examples.
Deepen students’ understanding by using in-class exercises.
Encourage students to think deeply and critically by discussing recent news.
Motivate students to learn by themselves by assigning realistic team projects.
Help students foster good communication skills by organizing role-play presentations.
(Main modules: TCP/IP model, network design, cyber security, and digital privacy)