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Chris Mahar
Marketing Ph.D.Candidate/Sessional Academic
Queensland University ofTechnology
Expected Graduation: June 2016
Learning and Teaching PhilosophyStatement
I understand the importance of a teaching philosophy statement in helping me to guide my
methods and measure my outcomes (O’Neal, Meizlish, & Kaplan, 2007). It is a way to focus my
attention and energy into the way I want to teach and reach students. I also know that this is a living
document that will change over time with experience.
I believe that engagement with students and progressing from the abstract to examples from
real-life helps to cement concepts in their minds (Avrahami et al., 1997; Grise-Owens, Cambron, &
Valade, 2010). I’ve found that achieving deep understanding of academic terms can be confusing or
daunting to some students, especially when multiple constructs are discussed in conjunction in a
model or theoretical framework. In most cases, these models were constructed based on everyday
human behavior, decision-making and the like. My style attempts to demystify these complex ideas
through examples, interactive activities and participation. Usually, after some trial and error, I am
able to find an activity that helps foster a deep understanding of the concept or concepts. If I am truly
successful, multiple students will be able to use examples to explain the model/theory/concept to me
and/or each other.
Using different types of technology in the classroom can also break up the lecture or tutorial.
I believe this is key to holding the attention and interest of students (Kearsley & Shneiderman, 1998;
Sandholtz, 1997). Interesting and humorous examples using multiple types of media and technology
can break up a long session and refocus students. I believe that having a class that is fun and
something the students look forward to is a huge step in learning. Few students would volunteer to
share information about new product development as a stand-alone concept, but they might be more
excited to discuss a class example of bubble gum-flavored broccoli at McDonalds (which is a real
news story!). These types of examples of relatable, relevant and recent real-world situations might
be the memory from class that anchors the important key concepts I hope they take away each week.
My goal is for retention of these ideas beyond the classroom and even the course.
Finally, I believe that each student in my class should have the opportunity to take as much as
they can from the course. My focus is to emphasize the most important concepts of a lecture,
assessment, or course to help encourage something salient is taken away by all who put forth some
effort. For those who strive to learn more or are struggling to keep up, I want to be there to further
their academic pursuits as much as I can in this role.
Chris Mahar
Marketing Ph.D.Candidate/Sessional Academic
Queensland University ofTechnology
Expected Graduation: June 2016
Avrahami, J., Kareev, Y., Bogot, Y., Caspi, R., Dunaevsky, S., & Lerner, S. (1997). Teaching by
examples: Implications for the process of category acquisition. The Quarterly Journal of
Experimental Psychology: Section A, 50(3), 586-606.
Grise-Owens, E., Cambron, S., & Valade, R. (2010). Using current events to enhance learning: A
social work curricular case example. Journal of Social Work Education, 46(1), 133-146.
Kearsley, G., & Shneiderman, B. (1998). Engagement theory: A framework for technology-based
teaching and learning. Educational technology, 38(5), 20-23.
O’Neal, C., Meizlish, D., & Kaplan, M. (2007). Writing a statement of teaching philosophy for the
academic job search. CRLT Occasional Papers, 23.
Sandholtz, J. H. (1997). Teaching with technology: Creating student-centered classrooms: ERIC.

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Chris Mahar Teaching Statement

  • 1. Chris Mahar Marketing Ph.D.Candidate/Sessional Academic Queensland University ofTechnology Expected Graduation: June 2016 Learning and Teaching PhilosophyStatement I understand the importance of a teaching philosophy statement in helping me to guide my methods and measure my outcomes (O’Neal, Meizlish, & Kaplan, 2007). It is a way to focus my attention and energy into the way I want to teach and reach students. I also know that this is a living document that will change over time with experience. I believe that engagement with students and progressing from the abstract to examples from real-life helps to cement concepts in their minds (Avrahami et al., 1997; Grise-Owens, Cambron, & Valade, 2010). I’ve found that achieving deep understanding of academic terms can be confusing or daunting to some students, especially when multiple constructs are discussed in conjunction in a model or theoretical framework. In most cases, these models were constructed based on everyday human behavior, decision-making and the like. My style attempts to demystify these complex ideas through examples, interactive activities and participation. Usually, after some trial and error, I am able to find an activity that helps foster a deep understanding of the concept or concepts. If I am truly successful, multiple students will be able to use examples to explain the model/theory/concept to me and/or each other. Using different types of technology in the classroom can also break up the lecture or tutorial. I believe this is key to holding the attention and interest of students (Kearsley & Shneiderman, 1998; Sandholtz, 1997). Interesting and humorous examples using multiple types of media and technology can break up a long session and refocus students. I believe that having a class that is fun and something the students look forward to is a huge step in learning. Few students would volunteer to share information about new product development as a stand-alone concept, but they might be more excited to discuss a class example of bubble gum-flavored broccoli at McDonalds (which is a real news story!). These types of examples of relatable, relevant and recent real-world situations might be the memory from class that anchors the important key concepts I hope they take away each week. My goal is for retention of these ideas beyond the classroom and even the course. Finally, I believe that each student in my class should have the opportunity to take as much as they can from the course. My focus is to emphasize the most important concepts of a lecture, assessment, or course to help encourage something salient is taken away by all who put forth some effort. For those who strive to learn more or are struggling to keep up, I want to be there to further their academic pursuits as much as I can in this role.
  • 2. Chris Mahar Marketing Ph.D.Candidate/Sessional Academic Queensland University ofTechnology Expected Graduation: June 2016 Avrahami, J., Kareev, Y., Bogot, Y., Caspi, R., Dunaevsky, S., & Lerner, S. (1997). Teaching by examples: Implications for the process of category acquisition. The Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology: Section A, 50(3), 586-606. Grise-Owens, E., Cambron, S., & Valade, R. (2010). Using current events to enhance learning: A social work curricular case example. Journal of Social Work Education, 46(1), 133-146. Kearsley, G., & Shneiderman, B. (1998). Engagement theory: A framework for technology-based teaching and learning. Educational technology, 38(5), 20-23. O’Neal, C., Meizlish, D., & Kaplan, M. (2007). Writing a statement of teaching philosophy for the academic job search. CRLT Occasional Papers, 23. Sandholtz, J. H. (1997). Teaching with technology: Creating student-centered classrooms: ERIC.