teaching philosophy
In my opinion, the field of communications is more exciting right now than it has been at any time in the last fifty years, perhaps even the last hundred. Communications technology is shaping our culture and cultures all around the world in new ways. The way we use and relate to media is changing drastically, and we're only at the beginning.
A lot of my students come into my lab courses focusing on technology, and often worrying about it. That's understandable, but it's one thing I work hard to overcome in my teaching. It is important that I teach them the structures of today's technology and the skills to work with them professionally. I think it is more important that they learn how to adapt quickly to new technology as it arises; to be able to analyze the usefulness of new technologies in different areas of their work and their lives; and most important, to come at this analysis and without any fear.
The important things about any new technology are what it will do for us, and what it will do to us. Beyond all the technology, however, we always find each other, and this is why I enjoy teaching my courses, helping students understand that in the end it isn't about the technology.