Curriculum Vita Dr. Wesley E. Donahue - Penn State Personal Web ...

(Donahue p. 6)
TEACHING PHILOSOPHY
I believe that understanding of content or knowledge of a particular discipline is not transmitted
from professor to student, but rather is constructed by the student in a supportive context in which
the professor raises questions, problems and issues surrounding the content and then supports the
student as he seeks answers and solutions.
I have found that students become highly motivated to learn when they are confronted with
authentic tasks that challenge them to wrestle with new ideas presented. I generally begin my
teaching by laying down the foundational concepts, elaborating and simplifying, demonstrating,
and posing scenarios. Then, I encourage the students to join in the process. Once they take an
active role in the learning process and they are given honest, yet positive feedback about their
efforts they begin to exhibit a sense of control over or responsibility for their learning. Throughout
this course of action, I express my genuine belief in each student’s ability to learn, set high
standards and expectations and do my best to communicate my own passion for the topic and
learning.