Pedagogy

These are key principles in my approach to teaching: 

1. Integration of Art, Science, and Technology: I teach Integrated Media Art through computer science and creativity, making technical subjects more accessible and engaging for a diverse audience.

2. Open Source and Community Contribution: Open-source work is crucial in my teaching and educational material development. I believe in community contributions and making resources freely available to foster an inclusive learning environment.

3. Institutional Support and Sustainability: I stress the importance of institutional support for sustaining open-source projects and educational initiatives, advocating for recognition and backing from institutions to ensure their longevity.

4. Accessibility and Inclusivity: Ensuring educational opportunities are accessible to everyone is a major focus. I advocate for environments where people with different needs, such as childcare or varying abilities, can also participate in learning and contributing to the community.

5. Practical and Engaging Learning: I value learning through doing and the importance of seeing the problem-solving process in action. My live-streamed coding sessions help demystify coding and build confidence by showing that even experts encounter challenges.

6. Balance Between Instruction and Exploration: Structured lessons are important, but I also believe in exploring and figuring things out live. This makes learning more dynamic and relatable.

7. Motivation and Engagement: My passion for helping students learn is driven by my background in creative arts, blending educational instruction with theatrical performance. I enjoy performing and receiving feedback, which motivates me to teach.

8. Handling Anxiety and Classroom Dynamics: Despite years of experience, I still feel nervous before classes, especially with new students. I find live broadcasts less nerve-wracking due to the control they offer. The pressure of meeting academic expectations can contribute to my anxiety.

9. Beginner-Friendly Teaching: I prefer teaching beginners, fostering a supportive environment where students feel comfortable. I encourage students to talk through their challenges to find solutions without overcomplicating problems.

10. Supportive Environment: Creating a supportive and friendly atmosphere is crucial. I focus on being approachable and encouraging, ensuring students feel comfortable asking questions without embarrassment.

11. Balance in Instruction: In mixed-skill classes, I balance detailed walkthroughs of code for beginners with high-level conceptual discussions for advanced students. I value workshop-style teaching, promoting active learning and collaboration.

12. Patience and Pacing: I advise new teachers to go slower than they think necessary and to assume less about students' prior knowledge. It's better to cover fewer topics thoroughly than to rush through material, which can create confusion.

13. Teaching as an Art Practice: I see teaching as part of my artistic and research practice, enjoying the process of helping others create. I prioritize developing creative coding tools and educational materials over producing my own projects.

14. Challenges and Ethics in Education: I address the ethical considerations of high tuition costs and the impact of student debt on creativity and career choices. I advocate for more inclusive and accessible education models and emphasize the need for pathways to learning computing that are open to diverse audiences.

15. Community and Collaboration: I value the sense of community in educational settings and the importance of interpersonal interactions in fostering learning. I'm interested in expanding the dialogue between higher education and middle or high school educators to enhance the accessibility and impact of creative coding education.

Overall, my teaching philosophy blends creativity, community-driven resources, institutional collaboration, and a focus on making learning inclusive and engaging for all.