When you are new to online teaching, it can feel overwhelming to learn everything you need to know all at once. If you focus on a continual process of learning, it can feel a little less intimidating. To make it easier, I have created six knowledge areas online faculty need to focus on as they prepare: know yourself, know your students, know your stuff, know how to engage, know how to assess and adjust, and know how to get help. The model above of the “Six Knows” is represented as a continuous educational experience cycle because faculty should regularly and consistently revisit each step for a greater understanding of themselves, their students, and their teaching practices.
Each week for the next six weeks, I will include a short knowledge article about each part of the framework, beginning this week with “Know Yourself.”
Know Yourself: An often unrecognized yet valuable first step of your journey as an online instructor is knowing yourself. Knowing who you are and what your “onlin teacher persona” will be, can make every other step in your learning process a bit easier. Start by asking yourself what you believe in as far as your teaching practice. Why did you get into teaching? What excites you about working with students? What part of yourself are you willing to share with your class? How do you envision this semester going? How will you handle challenges that arise?
Taking the time to craft a teaching philosophy can go a long way towards creating lesson plans that fit your talents as well as the needs of your students. But what is a teaching philosophy? Medina and Draugalis (2013) explain: “Formulating a teaching philosophy is a reflective writing assignment whereby teachers describe, analyze, and justify their teaching methods and consider areas for improvement.” A teaching philosophy is a roadmap to every decision made in your profession; it is your own personal framework for how you practice your craft. It can be a valuable resource when setting out on a teaching career but should be considered a continual work in progress as the years progress. As you change, your students change, and the world changes, your teaching philosophy should change in tandem.
A teaching philosophy statement is a narrative that includes:
- your concept of teaching and learning
- a description of how you teach, with examples
- justification for why you teach that way
The statement can:
- demonstrate that you have been reflective and purposeful about your teaching
- communicate your goals as an instructor and your corresponding actions in the classroom
- point to and tie together the other sections of a teaching portfolio
In addition to knowing yourself, a teaching philosophy is also useful to:
- apply for academic positions at a university
- provide to students with an understanding of who you are and what their learning experience will be with you
- help define your online “teacher persona”
- establish a framework for every class you teach, no matter the subject or content
- promote equitable teaching and learning practices
- reflect on who you are and why you do what you do!
Take the time to get to know yourself by reflecting on your values and standards related to teaching and learning, then write your teaching philosophy and share it with your students. That will allow them some insight into who you are as a teacher and help them have a better experience in your classroom.
→ Pro tip: Unsure how to write your teaching philosophy? Here is a recording of a seminar on the topic. See below for a list of references that will also help with your process.
References:
Medina, M. S., & Draugalis, J. R. (2013). Writing a teaching philosophy: an evidence-based approach. American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy, 70(3), 191+.
Parsons, A., & Hjalmarson, M. (2017). Study of self: The self as designer in online teacher education. Studying Teacher Education, 13(3), 331–349. https://doi.org/10.1080/17425964.2017.1365699
Additional sources to help you write your philosophy:
Beatty, J., Leigh, J., & Lund Dean, K. (2009). Finding our roots: An exercise for creating a personal teaching philosophy statement. Journal of Management Education. 33(1). 115-130.
Beatty, J., Leigh, J., & Lund Dean, K. (2009). Philosophy rediscovered: Exploring the connections between teaching philosophies, educational philosophies, and philosophy. Journal of Management Education. 33(1). 99-114.
Cornell University Graduate School (2021). Teaching Philosophy Statement. https://gradschool.cornell.edu/career-and-professional-development/pathways-to-success/prepare-for-your-career/take-action/teaching-philosophy-statement/
Doyle, A. (2021). Interview question: "What Is your teaching philosophy?" The Balance Careers. https://www.thebalancecareers.com/job-interview-answer-what-is-your-teaching-philosophy-2063859
Haave, N. (2014). Six questions that will bring your teaching philosophy into focus. Faculty Focus. https://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/philosophy-of-teaching/six-questions-will-bring-teaching-philosophy-focus/
Montell, G. (2003). How to write a statement of teaching philosophy. The Chronicle of Higher Education. https://www.chronicle.com/article/how-to-write-a-statement-of-teaching-philosophy/?cid2=gen_login_refresh&cid=gen_sign_in&cid2=gen_login_refresh&cid2=gen_login_refresh
Schulze, E. (2020). Teaching philosophies: Your teaching soul in document form. Faculty Focus. https://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/philosophy-of-teaching/teaching-philosophies-your-teaching-soul-in-document-form/?st=FFWeekly;s=FFWeekly200612;utm_term=FFWeekly200612&utm_source=ActiveCampaign&utm_medium=email&utm_content=The+Role+of+Higher+Education+in+Times+of+Crisis%3A+Healing+Strategies+for+Educators&utm_campaign=FF200612
The Ohio State University. (2021). Philosophy of Teaching Statement. https://drakeinstitute.osu.edu/instructor-support/teaching-portfolio-development/philosophy-teaching-statement
University of Minnesota, Center for Teaching Innovation. (2021). Writing Your Teaching Philosophy. https://cei.umn.edu/writing-your-teaching-philosophy
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