I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you. ~ King David

Last updated on: 10 November 2008 07:14:06 PM

In NUS, there is always a teaching feedback session just before the final exam. Each lecturer, tutor, and lab tutor will be assessed on these 8 points (these are all positive-type questions):

1. The teacher has enhanced my thinking ability.
2. The teacher provides timely and useful feedback.
3. The teacher is approachable for consultation.
4. The teacher has helped me advance my research (if applicable).
5. The teacher has increased my interest in the subject.
6. The teacher has helped me acquire valuable/relevant knowledge in the field.
7. The teacher has helped me understand complex ideas.
8. Overall the teacher is effective.

For each point, the student can choose a value from:
[1 (strongly disagree) .. 3 (neutral) .. 5 (strongly agree)]

Usually, we are interested to see the average score of 1-7. If our average score is 3 and standard deviation is low, it means that most students are indifferent about our teaching style. If the average value is 2 or lower, it means that we are disliked by the students, etc...

For me, I will try my best to improve my teaching capability each semester!! There are several ways to do this, for example by attending seminars/talks hosted by Center for Development of Teaching and Learning (CDTL), reading CDTL publications, or by reading books about teaching (science), e.g. How to Solve It? (Polya, 1945).

During semester 1, 2003, when I was still an undergraduate, I started my first semester as a (part time) teaching assistant with a score 3.243 out of 5... (considered as average and many said that it is not-so-good). I have since upgrade my teaching skill. Now, I want to keep my teaching score to be above 4.1 out of 5 every semester :). This is not an easy job and really depends on the class size, the current difficulty rating of the module, etc... But I will try my best.

The list of modules that I have taught so far are:

1. CS1102: Data Structures and Algorithms (sem 1, 2008/2009) - score (target: 4.1??/5)
With: Dr Tan Sun Teck
Class photos: (T3-1, T3-2), (T4-1, T4-2), (T5-1, T5-2), (T6-1, T6-2)

2. IT1005: Introduction to Programming with Matlab (sem 2, 2007/2008) - score (average 4.035/5)
With: Dr Tan Keng Yan, Colin, Dr Saif A Khan
Class photos: (2B-1, 2B-2), (3B-1, 3B-2), (4B-1), (5A-1, 5A-2), (7A-1)

3. CS1101Y: Programming Methodology (sem 1, 2007/2008) - score (average 4.238/5)
With: Dr Tan Soon Huat, Gary, Dr Lee Mong Li, and Dr Low Kok Lim
Class photos: (DG8-1, DG8-2, DG8-3, DG8-4)

4. CS1102C: Data Structures and Algorithms in C++ (sem 2, 2006/2007) - score (average 4.117/5)
With: Dr Tan Sun Teck
Class photos: (T1-1, T1-2, T1-3),(T4-1, T4-2, T4-3),(T8-1, T8-2, T8-1, T8-4),(T14-1, T14-2)

5. CS1102C: Data Structures and Algorithms in C++ (sem 1, 2006/2007) - score (average 4.031/5)
With: Dr Ang Chuan Heng and Dr Tan Sun Teck
Class photos: (T1-1, T1-1),(T4-1, T4-2),(T7-1, T7-2),(T10-1, T10-2)

6. IT1002: Introduction to Programming (special term 3, 2005/2006: lab TA) - score (average 4.085/5)
With: Dr Bimlesh Wadhwa
No class photo...

7. CS1102C: Data Structures and Algorithms in C++ (sem 2, 2005/2006) - score (average 4.226/5)
With: Dr Cheng Holun, Alan and Dr Huang Zhiyong
Class photos: (T2-1, T2-2),(T5-1, T5-2),(T12-1, T12-2),(T15-1, T15-2)

8. CS1101C: Programming Methodology in C (sem 1, 2005/2006) - score (average 4.003/5)
With: Mr Tan Choon Leng, Raymond and Dr Low Kok Lim
Class photos: (D03-1, D03-2, D03-3, D03-4),(D08-1, D08-2, D08-3),(D12-1, D12-2, D12-3, D12-4)

9. CS3241: Computer Graphics (sem 1, 2003/2004) - score (average 3.243/5)
With: Dr Teh Hung Chuan and Dr Cheng Holun, Alan
No class photo...

The skills that I have gained as Teaching Assistant so far are:
1. Conducting Tutorial Sessions/Discussion Groups - many times.
2. Conducting Laboratory Sessions - also many times, but lower than Tutorial Sessions.
3. Conducting 'Lecture' Sessions - I guess I have done it 3 times: 2 help sessions in LT + 1 lecture.
4. Setting Laboratory/Practical Exam Questions - twice.
5. Setting Exam Questions - once (1 question only).
6. Marking Midterm Test/Exam - once.
7. Consultations/extra help sessions - many many times.

The approximate number of students that I have taught so far (up to 10 Nov 2008): 680 students

Breakdown based on nationalities (no longer updated, too hard to track now...):
Indonesian: 27 (~5%)
Singaporean: 194 (~35%), still the majority, but I wonder why it is not > 50%...
Chinese: 110 (~18%)
Malaysian: 61 (~12%)
Vietnamese: 60 (~12%)
Indian: 40 (~7%)
Others: 40 (~12%)

Rough breakdown based on age range:
14: 7
15: 10
16: 6
17: 5
18: 10
19: 50
20: 117
21: 115
22: 75
23: 50