Courses I teach

Since I joined the School of Mass Communication faculty, I have been teaching two new courses MCOM 3310 and MCOM 4385 and two other existing courses as listed below. I have strived to adopt innovative teaching methods by designing practical assignments and in-class activities. I have also endeavored to make all my classes web enhanced, and I have created an online version of one of the school's core courses, while exploring the possibility of introducing new course/s that focus on New Media and critical cultural studies.
MCOM 3310 Introduction to Web Principles and Design
It introduces students to the basic principles of web design and online journalism. This is a lab and project based class. Students learn how to plan, design and manage web sites using software like Adobe Photoshop, Dreamweaver and a Content Management System. The class learned how to use a Content Management System (CMS) to run TheRockreporter.com a site created by students and run by students.
MCOM 4385 Web Design
This class is Part II in a sequence of courses dealing with Mass Communication and web design. Adobe Dreamweaver, Photoshop, Joomla (Content Management System (CMS)) and other ancillary software will be used to design database driven web sites.
MCOM 4340 Introduction to Digital Graphics and Animation
This course is designed as an introduction to computer animation using the design elements of After Effects, Flash and Adobe Photoshop. Students are exposed to a variety of design tools for the creation of characters and symbols for story telling. It involves grasping and demonstrating knowledge of Adobe After Effects and Flash as a tools for computer animation, and applying the skills developed to execute various projects or assignments.
MCOM 2330Mass Media and Society
The course focuses on understanding how Radio, Television (Broadcast, Cable and Satellite), Print Media and the Internet form part of everyday life. It challenges students to take a critical look at the media in our lives, by discussing some fundamental mass media issues from the media literacy perspectives.
New Courses
MCOM 7380 Media Criticism.
MCOM 7380 The Impact of New Communication Technologies on Journalism.
MCOM 7380 - Internet Regulation and Policy.
TEACHING PHILOSOPHY

I consider myself a facilitator who motivates students by engaging them in critical, investigative and creative activities. I explore innovative ways in teaching that encourage students to participate in class while learning critical and creative skills relevant to communication and media studies.

Effective education in communication and media studies requires knowledge of the ethical, technological and theoretical foundations of the field. I endeavor to strike a balance in the development of a course by incorporating teaching materials and activities that touch on these key areas. I approach teaching with the readiness to discuss and develop with students, competencies in the analysis and creation of media content and services.

Accessibility and open-mindedness are principles I encourage in class and during consultation. I promote interactions that encourage students to approach each other, the instructor, and issues in the field in affable ways. My experience as a teacher has deepened my conviction that students are quick to reciprocate a teacher’s attitude to work. For instance, a teacher who is open to new ideas and applies innovative methods in teaching will directly or indirectly motivate students to be open and innovative in their work. Similarly, a teacher who pays attention to detail may cause her or his students to pay attention to their work and present good work to meet the standards she or he sets.

Identifying the learning needs of individual students in order to design customized learning exercises to cater to those needs is of utmost importance. As a result, I strive to improve my skills by upgrading my knowledge through research and feedback from my students. I consider research invaluable to the learning process, due to the ever growing body of literature on communication and media studies, and the accelerating rate of the improvement of communication technologies and the emergence of innovative practices.

I consider learning a lifelong phenomenon and the occupation of an educator a way of life that requires dedication.