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My teaching philosophy is centred on the belief that inductive reasoning is fundamental to geology. This leads to a heavy emphasis on the use of teaching specimens, photographic slides, and especially fieldwork. However, this method must be balanced by the need to introduce students to the requisite range of information that they need to understand given the time limitations of college. Consequently, a selection of basic facts must be learned, although I would hope to keep 'rôte' learning to a minimum. Involving undergraduates in active research projects is another way of providing them with a solid grounding in science.
In addition, I recognize that the majority of science undergraduates will not pursue a career in science. Science teaching needs to reflect this: students need to be taught to think in more general terms and be better educated in issues that could, and indeed will, affect them. I believe that the aspects of geology and "global change" of which I have experience and can teach, fulfill these needs.
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