Developing a Teaching Philosophy Statement Article Swipe
Developing a statement of teaching philosophy is established practice for teaching faculty in American higher education, with such statements routinely used in job applications, appointment reviews, and promotion decisions across the disciplines, but less often discussed in other countries. Teaching librarians may also produce a teaching philosophy statement if they are applying for a job with academic status or promotion to a tenured position; and the process of developing a teaching philosophy can have wider benefits for librarians, encouraging reflective practice and promoting the educational mission of libraries. Statements are usually developed through individual reflection, often with peer support and feedback. Key elements include discussion of your beliefs and thoughts about how learning occurs, and how teachers can facilitate or intervene in the process; consideration of what goals you have for your students, in relation to the subject matter at hand and for their education generally; articulation of your teaching or learning support style, i.e., how you prefer to behave and interact with learners; and description of what methods of instruction, assessment, and evaluation you use. Sentence completion activities, question prompts and guided reading can be used to stimulate thinking, as well as sharing examples from statements produced by others.
