Drafting Your Teaching Philosophy printable pdf download

Arts Teaching & Learning Network

Faculty of Arts

Drafting Your Teaching Philosophy

Brian Coppola has written that your statement of teaching philosophy answers one

basic question: "what is teaching and learning to you?" (2002). However, this

seemingly simple question is often answered by addressing several components. This

exercise will begin the process of drafting your teaching philosophy by focusing on

various aspects of your teaching philosophy (e.g. theory, goals, methods, design,

evaluation, reflection).

1) Begin your draft by answering the following question in one or two sentences: what

is teaching and learning to you? You may want to come back and redraft this sentence

as your consider the questions below.

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2) Now expand on your answer by considering the questions associated with essential

aspects of a statement of teaching philosophy (as defined by Coppola):

• Theoretical framework: Describe a metaphor or anecdote that is relevant to

your subject/discipline and that captures the spirit of successful learning

experiences (e.g. teams /coaches, empty vessels, open books, time machines)?

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Prepared by Ben Miller for the Faculty of Arts Teaching and Learning Committee,

The University of Sydney, March 2010

Drafting Your Teaching Philosophy