teaching philosophy

Good teaching implies that learning takes place. This learning goes beyond what a student learns from a lecture; good teaching requires that the teacher is always learning too. A good teacher deeply understands current topics and research in their chosen discipline, but there is much more than just this that they need to learn and understand. A good teacher learns from class to class how to improve his/her delivery, approach, evaluation schemes, interaction style, curriculum and philosophy. A good teacher also seeks to observe, and get feedback, which enables the teacher to learn how students in general and students in a particular class can best learn the principles being covered. A good teacher has a thirst for learning new things and sharing this knowledge with others, not just as rote recitation of facts, concepts, and principles. This is my approach to teaching. My personal drive to teach well leads me to continually learn myself as I seek to inspire learning in my students.

Put abstract or first paragraph of research statement here.

Teaching Statement (PDF) (Last updated: Friday, 25-Mar-2016 11:29:10 MDT)

teaching experience

summary of what I think I accomplished

CSIT 104 (Previously CSIT 110) – Computer Concepts for Information Technology (MSU; Spring 2012 & Fall 2015)

An introduction to the concepts of modern information technology. Principles of computing, Internet and office application software, hardware and network components, the role of IT in an organization, legal and ethical issues of computing.

CSIT 111 (Previously CMPT 183) – Foundations in Computer Science (MSU; Fall 2009-2013 & Spring 2011-2014)

An introduction to the foundational concepts of object-oriented programming, and an introduction to Java using the BlueJ IDE.

CSIT 270 (Previously CMPT 285) – Discrete Mathematical Structures (MSU; Spring 2010)

Includes propositional logic, predicate calculus, elementary number theory and proofs, summations, recurrences, mathematical induction, set theory, counting and combinations, functions, the pigeonhole principle, and relations (reflexivity, symmetry, transitivity, etc.).

CSIT 460 (Previously CMPT 320) – Intranet and Internet Security (MSU; Spring 2011)

An overview of the fundamental problems of computer security, followed by an in-depth analysis of the current solutions including encryption, public key schemes, testing and analyzing current network security and internet architecture based on security considerations. Meets the University Writing Requirement for INFT majors.

CSIT 335/535 (Previously CMPT 495/585) – Introduction to Human-Computer Interaction (Created Course; MSU; Fall 2011-2013)

Course content includes: science-based theories, models, and studies; and user interface design and development. Graphical user interfaces for desktop, web, and mobile devices. Assess usability by quantitative and qualitative methods. Conduct task analyses, usability tests, expert reviews, and continuing assessments of working products by interviews, surveys, and logging. Apply design processes and guidelines to develop professional quality user interfaces. Build low-fidelity paper mockups, and a high-fidelity prototype using contemporary tools and programming environments.

CMPT 451/551 – Mobile Computing (Created Course; MSU; Spring 2013-2014)

Course content will include an introduction into mobile device programming including environment basics, application basics, creating user interfaces, how to deal with data, how to accommodate different devices, basic widgets and more advanced user interface parts for multimedia and maps, and app publication.

CMSC250 – Discrete Structures (UMD; Summer 2007)

Course included the following topics: propositional logic, predicate calculus, elementary number theory and proofs, summations, recurrences, mathematical induction, set theory, counting and combinations, functions, the pigeonhole principle, and relations (reflexivity, symmetry, transitivity, etc.)

CS 456/656 – Introduction to User Interfaces and Advanced User Interfaces (Teaching Assistant; BYU; 2001-2003)

Served as a teaching assistant (TA) for Introduction to User Interfaces and Advanced User Interface courses; as a TA I individually helped students with difficult programming and user interface concepts, advised the development of projects, and graded programming projects

mentoring experience

Paul Cushman (Sep 2014 – Apr 2014) – MSU (Computer Science, graduate), Masters Project, Geotagger Database Caching

Travis Gant (Sep 2014 – Dec 2014) – MSU (Computer Science, graduate), Masters Project, Developing and Deploying a Mobile Application Platform to Facilitate Environmental Research and Education on the iOS Platform

Syed Shah (Sep 2014 – Dec 2014) – MSU (Computer Science, graduate), Masters Project, Groups in Geotagger: Enabling Social Interaction in Citizen Science

Michael Cristaldi (Sep 2013 – Feb 2014) – MSU (Computer Science, graduate), Masters Project, Visualizing and Organizing Observational Information for Children

Michael Cibiniak (Sep 2013 – Feb 2014) – MSU (Computer Science, graduate), Masters Project, Kidsteam Online Community

Spencer Kordecki (UG), Justin Guillou (UG), Paul Cushman (G), Adebisi Adenipekun (UG) (Sep 2013 – Dec 2013) – MSU, PSEG Institute for Sustainability Studies Grant, MobSci: Mobile Science Sustainability Toolkit

Christopher Loeschorn (Jan 2013 – May 2013) – MSU (Computer Science, graduate), Masters Project, Collaborative Participatory Environmental Observation System

Christopher Desch (Jan 2013 – May 2013) – MSU (Computer Science, graduate), Masters Project, LeapMotion for Kids

Michael Zobbi (Jan 2013 – May 2013) – MSU (Computer Science, graduate), Masters Project, Dynamic Message Board System

Paul Rubio (Sep 2012 – Dec 2012) – MSU (Computer Science, undergraduate), Independent Study, Maps for Kids 1.4

Gary Fenstamaker & David Dymko (Jun 2012 – Jul 2012) – iMagine REU, PicIt (Citizen Science)

Christopher Desch (Feb 2012 – May 2012) – MSU (Computer Science, undergraduate), Independent Study, Math Scramble

Thomas Lesch (Feb 2012 – May 2012) – MSU (Computer Science, undergraduate), Independent Study, Kidsteam

Aarti Sojitra (Feb 2012 – May 2012) – MSU (Computer Science, undergraduate), Independent Study, Maps for Kids

Michael Marino (Sep 2011 – Dec 2011) – MSU (Computer Science, undergraduate), Independent Study, Citizen Science: Annotated Bibliography

Ramy Gerges & LaShonda Bell (Jun 2011 - Jul 2011) – iMagine REU, Mobile Gestures

Sara Isola (Feb 2011 - Aug 2011) – MSU Industrial Design Undergraduate, Designing Technologies with and for Children and Families

Jiyeon Min (Feb 2011 - May 2011) – MSU Industrial Design Undergraduate, Designing Technologies with and for Children

Leila Zilles (Jun 2011 - Jul 2011) – iMagine REU, Towards a Universal Integrated Mobile Remote

Kevin McGehee (May 2006 - Aug 2006) – Blair High School Intern (Silver Spring, Maryland), Designing an Effective Data Synchronization Model for Collaborative Mobile Software

Juliette Taillandier (Aug 2006 - Dec 2007) – EPF (Ecole d'Ingιnieurs (Sceaux, France), Design and Development of Interfaces for Mobile Narratives

Bobby Owolabi (Aug 2006 - Apr 2007) – UMD CS Undergraduate LSAMP (College Park, Maryland), Mobile Collaboration for Young Children

Shaili Desai (Aug 2006 - Apr 2007) – UMD CS Graduate Research Assistant (College Park, Maryland), Kidsteam Assistant & Mobile Collaboration for Young Children

teacher improvement

2016 – Selected for and participated in the Engaged Teaching Fellowship Program (as a Mentor)

2014 – Selected for and participated in the Engaged Teaching Fellowship Program (as a Mentor)

2013 – Participated in Advising Workshops (Feb 5)

2013 – Participated in Workshop on the Critical Response Process (Liz Lerman & RAUL; Jan 29)

2013 – Participated in Community-Based/Participatory Action Research Think Tank (SL&CE; Jan 16)

2012 – Participated in Empowering Online Teaching and Learning Facutly Development (Oct 1-28)

2012 – Participated in Transforming your Face-to-Face Course into an Online or Hybrid Course (Sep 20)

2012 – Participated in Summer Institute for Online Teaching and Learning (Professional Development)

2012 – Attended and presented poster at Annual University Learning and Teaching Showcase (May 2)

2012 – Attended Provost Series on University Learning (Cecelia Tichi, David Keiser)

2012 – Selected for and participated in the Engaged Teaching Fellowship Program (as a Fellow)

2011 – Selected and participated in the Engaged Teaching Fellowship Program

2011 – Attended Annual University Learning and Teaching Showcase (May 4)

2011 – Attended Provost Series on University Learning (Eric Mazur, Dudley Herschbach)

2010 – Attended Teaching for Learning CSAM informal meetings

2010 – Attended Provost Series on University Teaching and Learning (Jeanette Norden, Randy Bass)

2010 – Participated in "What the Best College Teachers Do" discussion group (all four sessions)

2010 – Attended Annual University Learning and Teaching Showcase (March 26)

2009 – Attended New Faculty Workshops on Effective Teaching


Last Updated: Wednesday, 16-Aug-2017 13:07:12 MDT