1- Automata and Formal Languages
2- Language processing
3- Information Theory
1- Formal Languages and Compiler
2- Computational Models
Teaching Philosophy
Learning is, of course, the main purpose of education. It is the goal of every student and the
task of every teacher to increase knowledge and understanding in the classroom. I feel that the
concept of learning should be focused around four main areas. Independent thought is
essential to the development of each student. Being able to form unique independent ideas to
solve problems will serve them both in and outside of the classroom. Group interaction is also
an important part of learning. Being able to share ideas, validate them with those of others,
and teamwork are important processes in social and mental development. The teacher should
also be prepared to lead students in the direction they should go to reach correct conclusions
and answers, without always providing the answers themselves. Finally, stressing the use of
learned ideas and processes in new situations is essential. By using information, students
should be able to apply what they have learned to new life or learning situations. Transfer of
this sort is what really determines what has been learned.
In order to aid students in reaching their desired learning goals, the teacher must have a clear
set of objectives. I feel that teachers should serve a number of purposes. First and foremost,
they should act as guides, pointing students in the direction they should go to find answers
and solve problems by providing them with the essential information they need to do so. They
should also act as advisors or facilitators, especially in the university setting. Students also
need to feel comfortable approaching their instructor for discussion outside of class.
Instructors need to make education as enjoyable and beneficial as possible to for students. By
teachers acting in all of these manners, a student's education will be more complete and
enjoyable than one in which a student only sees the teacher in the classroom.
In designing course format and evaluation requirements, technology is very useful and should
be utilized effectively. I feel that “seeing is believing” and so audio-visual aids like using
power point slides for lectures, providing hand outs, showing video clips to emphasize
important points, and using “Virtual and Active Learning Environment” are effective learning
tools with proven impacts. In addition, I encourage the use of state-of-the art softwares to stay
in tune with the recent development in the subject. In addition, I would like to organize plant
trips to specific IT industries so that the students see “in live action” what they have read and
retain it effectively.
I am a firm believer in active learning, and I try to maintain a very lively and interactive
classroom. To me, teaching is not about lecturing to students; it is about presenting theories,
concepts, and empirical material to students in a way that they can integrate this information
into their own life experience. I try to accomplish this not only in my presentations and
lectures, but in the questions that structure classroom discussion and, particularly, in writing
assignments.
In addition to the three courses I have taught at Aizu Univ. (Language Processing, Automata
Theory, and Information Theory), I am also willing for challenges in teaching new courses
such as Artificial Intelligence, Data Structures, Natural Inspired Computation and so on.
My objective as a teacher is to motivate my students toward a level of independence where
they develop a desire to learn and think for themselves. To reach this end, in each of my
classes, I emphasize critical thinking and real-world applications of the concepts and issues
we study.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
To implement this philosophy and because I want to improve my teaching, I have participated
in a variety of development activities to continue growing as a teacher. I have attended a
training course for 6 months aims at preparing computer instructors and organized by Japan
International Cooperation Agency JICA. I also attended several international conferences and
workshops for computer instructors on managing the classroom, leading a discussion, creating
classroom goals and assessing progress, preparing a teaching materials, and engaging students.