Pedagogy and Some Factors That Influence How We Facilitate Student Learning

Authors

  • Donald R. Woods McMaster University

Abstract

In this paper I’ll share a personal overview of pedagogy in general. This will include a listing of my personal choices of the major events, from about 1950 onwards, that have had an impact on how I try to facilitate learning. The events occurred in Canada, the United States, UK and Australia. Some were publications; some were local, provincial/state and national initiatives; some were organizations; some were networking. I’ll suggest the implications and usefulness of each.
I’ll also overview idealized career paths of persons who a) neglected pedagogy and focused on subject-discipline research; b) implemented pedagogy and did subject-discipline research; c) implemented pedagogy; d) implemented pedagogy and did research in both pedagogy and subject-discipline research; and e) implemented pedagogy and focused on pedagogy-based research.
From this personal overview of activities in different countries, the evolution of a rich set of pedagogical ideas and a brief look at career paths of persons using pedagogy in different ways, some suggestions are given about personal actions you might take.

Author Biography

Donald R. Woods, McMaster University

Donald R. Woods is professor emeritus of chemical engineering at McMaster University. He received his B.Sc. from Queen's University, his M.S. and Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin, and worked for seven different industries before joining McMaster University in 1964. His research interests are in process design, cost estimation, surface phenomena, problem-based teaming, assessment, improving student learning, and developing skill in problem solving, troubleshooting, group and team work, self assessment, change management, and lifetime learning.

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Published

2009-09-01

Issue

Vol. 43 No. 4 (2009): Fall 2009

Section

Manuscripts