My Teaching Philosophy

Teaching is one of the responsibilities assigned to me in my role as a Librarian. The roles of Lecturer and Librarian intertwine. In my teaching role I see myself as a facilitator. My encounters with students allow for the facilitation of the sharing of ideas, through engagement and interaction, with the ultimate goal of the development of a lifelong learner who loves learning.

  I facilitate the development of critical thinking skills through activities and interactions that allow students to apply knowledge in making judgments. Although, as an information literacy specialist, empowering students with the ability to locate, access, evaluate, synthesise and utilise information serves as the foundation for my interaction both in an out of the classroom, the concepts I teach can be applied beyond their university life. These concepts include but are not limited to – appropriately evaluating web sites, navigating databases for research needs, respecting ownership and copyright and appropriately synthesising information. In an age of fake news and information overload, critical thinking skills assume great significance.

  I believe that learning is lifelong. Learning is not restricted to receiving an A for a course, but rather transcends the mere objective of a good grade for a course assignment. In this regard the importance of self-directed learning is heightened. This I engender by  interactions with students which will encourage them to explore, find solutions, apply the solutions to their information need and reflect.

  Lifelong learning for both teacher and student is critical given changing realities, and rapid technological advancement. Flexibility is critical. Over the years, my teaching was largely didactic with the use of slides and handouts with an occasional activity and video presentation.  A prime need for flexibility arose with Covid-19 which warranted modes of delivery across various platforms.  Covid-19 has fast-forwarded virtual learning which will continue to evolve, and demand flexibility, long after we have learnt to live with the virus.  

In my teaching sessions, I now incorporate activities which include but are not limited to blogging and gaming.  I also utilise technological tools such as padlet, polls, eJournaling and video creation to name a few.  

  It is my hope that, as I facilitate learning through my twin roles of Librarian and Lecturer, students will be empowered beyond the classroom. They are constantly faced with decisions in their lives, for which they will need to appropriately utilise information gleaned through the classroom experience.  Having learnt through interaction they will then model it and positively impact society.