UniSZA IDPhilosophy of Teaching and Learning
My 10 Core Values in Teaching & Learning
Grateful – I am grateful to be a lecturer. I always feel blessed to have been given the opportunity to work in this organization. My sense of gratitude helps me develop a more positive outlook. Being grateful enhances my daily life, increases my happiness, and strengthens my sense of belonging in the workplace.
Passion – Passion is the key to getting a job done and, in turn, feeling personal satisfaction from the effort and achievements. “Everyone is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to fly, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.” — Albert Einstein
Caring – Not all students share the same learning capabilities. Some are fast learners, some may be slower or struggle to keep up with the syllabus. As an educator, it is my responsibility to pay close attention to their academic progress as well as their personal development during their time on campus. I always strive to explain concepts in the simplest and most accessible way during my lectures. I never give up on my students and consistently encourage them to improve. I want them to feel a sense of self-esteem and confidence in themselves. “Great teachers care about their students.”
Creative & Innovative – Conventional teaching methods in lectures can be boring for students, causing them to feel stressed and lose focus when they are forced to listen without interaction. This may lead to a loss of interest in the course. To keep students engaged and interested in my classes, I incorporate hands-on activities that encourage critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
Punctuality – Time is valuable, and lectures should begin on time because students expect to learn something meaningful from me. Their time should not be wasted. As an educator, I am a role model for my students, and they will mirror my behavior and attitude. If I am not punctual, they may also begin arriving late to class. Furthermore, I may struggle to meet my academic goals if I frequently delay or cancel classes. “Punctuality reflects a trustworthy person to work with.”
Integrity – I always remind myself to be responsible and honest in my work. Fulfilling commitments is a crucial element for achieving success in my career. I feel a strong sense of responsibility toward my students and always ready to admit my mistakes if any incorrect information or facts are shared during my lectures. Pretending to know everything is not the path to becoming a good teacher. I learn from my mistakes and use them as opportunities for personal growth.
Believe – I believe that education is one of the most important elements in building a good society. It plays a vital role in the development of human personality, thinking, and social skills. Education is the key to success and opens up more opportunities for us. I see education as a ‘ticket’ to enter the career world with a strong foundation and good position. With education, we have more options to shape our careers and work in the places we aspire to.
Confidence – For me, the best way to build confidence is through reading. Knowledge is a powerful tool that helps me overcome my fears during lectures. Self-confidence enhances my motivation in the teaching process, and I always maintain a positive attitude, 'I can do it' rather than 'I can't do it.'
Continuous-Learning – Besides teaching, I am also a strong believer in lifelong learning. Whenever given the opportunity, I attend courses relevant to my field, such as food processing and food product development, to improve the quality of my teaching. In addition, non-academic courses such as those related to religion are equally important, as a healthy soul helps calm my mind and bring inner peace. I believe that lifelong learning builds the confidence needed to adapt to unexpected challenges. I always strive to do better than I did yesterday.
Reflection – Reflecting on teaching and learning helps improve my performance. It supports my skill development and allows me to evaluate my strengths and weaknesses. Recognizing its importance, I make it a point to allocate at least 15 minutes for self-reflection after each class. Through this practice, I aim to move forward toward a better tomorrow, with the hope that my students will become the leaders of the future.