Teaching philosophy

The classroom is a medium to exchange ideas particular to a course so that everyone can learn what the curriculum specifies. Students are not the only ones learning, though. Professors can always learn something new, such as better ways to teach a certain concept, more appropriate assignments to exercise learnt materials and etc.

Questions are welcome in my classes. A question reflects an attempt to understand or even to improve materials introduced in the class. Please raise your hand as soon as you have a question so I can address you as soon as possible.

Any disruption that makes it more difficult to learn is prohibited in a classroom or laboratory. I am not the only one who has a say of what is disruptive, a student can also tell me what or whom is disrupting the class.

Now, let's move on to grading. The main purpose of grading is not to differentiate students. The main purposes of grading is to:

• provide feedback of how a student is doing
• provide a scale for employers to evaluate a potential employee
• provide a scale for universities to evaluate a potential candidate

What should be used to assign grades? Grades are assigned based on how well a student demonstrate the understanding and application of knowledge that a class is supposed to teach. To be fair, all students are evaluated by the same means. Assignments and examinations are used to provide the necessary ``demonstration'' for grading purposes. There is more on this topic later.

Although when it comes to assignments and examinations everyone is treated the same (same deadlines, same grading criteria, etc.), there is help for those who need it. The lab time for programming classes and office hours for all classes are intended for students who need extra help in addition to classes. I will try to help you as much as I can during the lab time and office hours if you ask for help. However, there is no exception when it comes to the grading of assignments and examinations.