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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The teaching philosophy of a candidate for an academic position, sometimes referred to as a teaching philosophy statement, is a written statement of the candidate's general personal views on teaching. Colleges and universities that advertise a position whose duties require teaching often require the applicant to submit a teaching philosophy with the application.
Teaching philosophy statements are becoming increasingly required in the attainment of teaching positions.[1] Teaching philosophy statement often attempts to express what methods of teaching the candidate practices and what educational styles they intend to make use of.[1] They are generally reviewed and updated as educators gain more experience to reflect their current views and beliefs.[2]
The teaching philosophy can cover a substantial amount of material within a single page, which is a common length for the written statement (though longer statements, up to five pages, are acceptable in some cases).[3] A writer may include their own teaching experiences or dedication to learning.[4] They may also describe their beliefs around education, including the values they hold and models they intend to follow.[4] Teaching philosophies often share why the individual wishes to teach, and what motivates them to pursue a career in education.[5] Written teaching philosophies may be customized to be more specific to the field one intends to teach.[2]
Written teaching philosophy statements may be informed by existing pedagogical research and theory; an early example of such a book is The Philosophy of Teaching by Arnold Tompkins.[6] Books, articles, and research on pedagogy can offer a foundation upon which aspiring educators can form their own beliefs and values.
In a 1997/8 publication from The Professional & Organizational Development Network in Higher Education, Nancy Van Note Chism provided a description of the teaching philosophy statement. This description includes a general outline of what the document may include and in what order:[7]
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