2018 — Joys of teaching

A monkey family opposite the Ninasam theatre during Shimoga expedition

2018 marked an inflection in my teaching journey as I engaged in different courses and workshops that enabled my growth as an educator. I facilitated various courses throughout the year, from visual thinking and programming to tangible computing. Each class presented distinctive challenges and opportunities for growth. For instance, during the visual thinking workshop, I observed students' adeptness in crafting multiple anamorphic artworks without prior planning on paper, relying instead on peer guidance. Additionally, I pursued the ReRide project, concentrating on designing the subsequent iteration and getting into camera-based posture tracking.

Upon reflecting, the courses and workshops enabled students to investigate various dimensions of design and stimulated creativity. The expedition to Shimoga with foundation year students highlighted the importance of learning beyond the confines of the classroom and adapting to distinct perspectives to effectively navigate the field. Moreover, I derived gratification from collaborating with Venkat on the first programming course of the series, which allowed me to refine my instructional methods and accommodate students' needs. Drawing inspiration from these experiences and reflecting on the theories and ideas I encountered, I acknowledged the significance of adapting my pedagogy to remain up-to-date on emerging technologies and their ripples on design. Paul Graham's notion of considering programming languages akin to pencil and paper influenced the design of my programming courses and strengthened my commitment to evolving instructional methods. I also echoed Dr.Naveen's perspective on the importance of prototyping in the learning process.

Comparing my experiences from 2016 and 2017, I can discern my development as an educator in 2018. In the preceding years, I have had the opportunity to collaborate with students in many settings, allowing me to appreciate the joys and challenges intrinsic to teaching. The spectrum of courses I taught in 2018 and the rich repository of experiences broadened my understanding of how students learn and flourish. Furthermore, my aptitude for adapting and evolving my teaching methods has strengthened, adding to my confidence in my ability to provide meaningful and engaging learning experiences. As a consequence of these reflections, I actively experimented with novel approaches to teaching and learning. I am indebted to Naveen for allowing me to compose a series of programming courses to cultivate students' proficiency in programming and electronic prototyping. By incorporating an assortment of teaching methods, I was able to cater to diverse learning styles and foster a more engaging and productive learning environment.

2018 manifested a year of growth and discovery for me as an educator. By immersing myself in a selection of courses, workshops, and learning experiences, I continuously adapted and evolved my instruction style, ensuring that students were equipped with the essential skills to excel in the evolving realm of design. I aspire to refine my teaching methods and explore innovative avenues to inspire students.