Dr. G.s Teaching Philosophy
To know it is to understand why....

I believe that education involves four separate but interdependent factors. When I plan any course I teach, I have all four factors in mind. The factors are:

++Acquiring or enhancing academic values (Among the academic values I include honesty, objectivity, accuracy, thoroughness, and being systematic.)

++Acquiring knowledge of a particular discipline (In my courses, the discipline is psychology and knowledge of it involves learning methods of inquiry, theories, principles, facts, and applications.)

++Improving the ability to learn independently (To learn independently, one must be able to seek out relevant information and, having done so, one must be able to read, analyze, organize, and synthesize that information.)

++Refining communication skills (Being educated implies that one be able to write and speak in a logical, clear and effective manner.)

As a teacher, it has been my observation that many students need additional practice to become strong, critical, fearless, independent readers. Because I believe that reading ability contributes to all four factors described above, I stress independent reading in all my courses.