Miami University

Lecturer

M.S. (2004) Northern Arizona University
11 Shideler Hall
513-529-9662
sikorsj@muohio.edu

Teaching Philosophy

"When we care, we accept the responsibility to work continuously on our competence so that the recipient of our care...is enhanced. There is nothing mushy about caring. It is the strong, resilient backbone of human life."

- Nel Nodding, Educational Psychologist

My philosophy on teaching has been greatly inspired by constructive learning theorists, such as Nel Noddings, and development theorists, such as Marcia Baxter-Magolda. Similar to Noddings, I believe one of the best ways to motivate and help my students is to be a model of a "self-directed learner" and continue to develop my knowledge on the most effective strategies to create the optimal learning experiences for my students. As supported by the work of Baxter-Magolda, I also believe instructors should not be afraid to relinquish some control over the classroom and allow the students a chance to provide critical feedback several times throughout the semester and to contribute to assessment policies and assignment construction. Moreoever, I feel that a classroom is not a static feature and that you should be open and willing to make changes to your lectures, assignments, examinations each semester to better fit the "current" instructional setting.

Views on Learning

I view learning as a cycle with no clear beginning or ending. Furthermore, episodes or events within the cycle define its course through time. In this manner, learning is a fluid concept with no clear distinction between where or when 'book learning" becomes a memorable experience that transcends textbook vocabulary. Although the exact course of this transformation cannot always be plotted, I feelt hat a classroom needs three components to make a course "memorable."

I. The first component is clear and unwavering instructor support. As an instructor I believe it is our role to consistently guide the learner toward the best conclusions or answers for their current developmental level. Guidance could come in the form of traditional instruction, but also by proposing open-ended questions frequently during class, assigning reflective writing assignments, or simply engaging the learner in the purpose behind each assignment.

II. Secondly, a memorable classroom should have a cooperative learning component. Learners sometimes need the safety of peer groups to share and validate their ideas. Working with others also helps develope the learner's ability to communicate effectively and become exposed to diverse points of view.

III. The last component I view as necessary for a memorable classroom is the opportunity to development of critical thinking skills, in other words, the ability to solve problems. When presented with a problem, learners need to develop the ability to identify the scope of the problem and logically develop a plan to resolve the problem on their own. In my courses I provide the learner with the opportunity to work with real geologic problems both current and historical. Specifically, I help them learn to make their own observations by sharing detailed examples of others' observations and helping the class identify criteria for high-quality observations. As the learner then creates their own hypothesis, I ask guiding questions that help them consider specific details of the problem/question at hand. The learner also determines the best way to test their ideas after we as a class brainstorm on the possible approaches.

In summary, at least three components (instructor support, peer support and opportunities to solve problems) are necessary to create a "memorable" experience. The experience is worth remembering because the learner grows in their ability and confidence somewhere between the words "asthenosphere" and "zeolite."

Teaching Interests:

GLG 111 (The Dynamic Earth)
GLG 141H (Honors Geology of US National Parks)
GLG 244 (Oceanography)
GLG 335 (Ice Age Earth)

I am also currently working on our Top25 funded redesign of GLG 111. Very exciting! For more details on the Top25 project at Miami University please visit http://www.units.muohio.edu/EngagedLearning/

I am also please to continue my participation in COPEL (Community of Practice on Engaged Learning) this year. To learn more about the goals of COPEL please visit http://www.units.muohio.edu/EnagedLearning/initiatives.hmtl

I am currently serving on the Liberal Education Council.