TEACHING PHILOSOPHY

The teaching of Digital/Electronic media has little to do with specific software; communication technology should not be seen as an end in itself. I serve my students better if I not only teach them a craft but also nurture them with ideas:

I believe that I am responsible for the education of Digital Media professionals rather than the mere training of them. Therefore my teaching philosophy is founded on a commitment to experimentation, risk-taking and education rather than training. I enhance the experimental character of the process by using an approach that integrates art, technology and design. This approach develops, I believe, a conceptual awareness both of design concepts (as related to the cultural and ethical context in which they reside) and the social implications of new technologies.

One of the truly delightful aspects of teaching in a developing field is the opportunity to develop new and experimental courses (Information Design for the WWW, Audio and Video Streaming for the WWW) and to continually evolve existing courses (Web Design, Web Animation and Multimedia Design ). The technology has changed at such a pace that I constantly adapt and revise the content of courses I teach. In only a few years, I have had the opportunity to develop courses for all levels of students.

Being an effective educator is a difficult task, but an educator who accepts teaching as a challenge and as a responsibility will also find that it can provide rewards that are well worth the effort.

In sum, my teaching philosophy reflects what I believe is the utmost importance to prepare students for success: to help develop their distinctive talents, to nurture their aesthetic sensitivity, to expand their communication skills and to challenge them to take risks so they can grow and have the ability to think critically on their own.

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