Alyssa Parten, MS, CSCS

Conceptualization of Learning

As an educator, I am committed to providing my students with a comprehensive understanding of the subject matter through a range of diverse and effective teaching strategies. By fostering an engaging and dynamic learning environment, I aim to create a strong foundation of knowledge that my students can build upon and apply in real-world contexts. In pursuing this philosophy, I am dedicated to helping my students achieve their full potential and develop the skills they need to thrive academically and beyond. One important aspect of how I promote learning in my classroom is through visual aids (i.e., pictures, drawing, video clips, etc.) and hands-on methods (hand-outs, laboratory visits, etc.), as this can help students who struggle with traditional lecture-style teaching to better understand complex concepts. Additionally, I believe in emphasizing practical applications of the material being taught, as this helps students connect their learning to real-world situations and prepares them for success in their future careers. Finally, I believe in the importance of reviewing material for better retainment, as repetition and reinforcement can solidify students' understanding of key concepts and improve their long-term retention of the material. By integrating these principles into my teaching approach, I aim to create an engaging and effective learning environment that empowers my students to succeed both in and outside of the classroom.

Conceptualization of Teaching

"Teaching occurs when learning takes place." - Ken Bain

In pursuit of being the most effective teacher I can be, I strive to be innovative in my teaching methods, using strategies I believe will captivate my students interests and help them retain new knowledge, as well as become critical thinkers. This involves approaching teaching as an art form and a creative process, where each students' unique learning needs and abilities are considered. To achieve this, I incorporate stories in my teaching approach to make learning more relatable and memorable for my students. I also make sure to be prepared for each lesson, with a well-structured plan and appealing visual aids to keep students engaged and motivated. Another essential aspect of my teaching philosophy is knowing my students, which allows me to create a safe and inclusive learning environment that promotes active participation and collaborative learning. By incorporating these principles into my teaching, I strive to inspire and empower my students to reach their full potential and develop lifelong skills and knowledge.

In my attempt to encourage my students to become free thinkers and improve their ability to think critically, I encourage active participation in the learning process by asking open-ended questions and providing opportunities for students to voice their opinions and perspectives. I also use problem-based learning approaches, where students are presented with real-world scenarios that require analytical and critical thinking skills to solve. One specific activity I use is “myth-busting” popular or new claims circulating social media. In today's technology-driven era, students are frequently exposed to unfounded or convoluted statements. Thus, this activity aims to encourage my students to challenge claims that they come across on social media. This approach helps them develop critical thinking skills, enabling them to evaluate the messages they encounter online and to question them appropriately. By challenging these claims, my students gain a better understanding of the importance of thoughtful analysis and how to apply it in their daily lives. Through this activity, I aim to equip my students with the tools they need to become discerning consumers of information. By incorporating these various approaches into my teaching, I aim to help my students become independent, critical thinkers who are prepared to navigate the complexities of the modern world and their field of study.