Beyond Data and Digits: My Teaching Experiences in the CSI Department Goutam Paul Computer Science...

Beyond Data and Digits:Beyond Data and Digits:My Teaching Experiences My Teaching Experiences

in the CSI Departmentin the CSI Department

Goutam PaulGoutam Paul

Computer Science DepartmentComputer Science Department

SUNY AlbanySUNY Albany

SKILL 2003 Conference, Nov 1, 2003SKILL 2003 Conference, Nov 1, 2003

SKILL Conference SKILL Conference Nov 1, 2003Nov 1, 2003

Goutam Paul ComputeGoutam Paul Computer Science, SUNYAr Science, SUNYA

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Organization of the talkOrganization of the talk

BackgroundBackground

IntroductionIntroduction

CommunicationCommunication

AcademicsAcademics

PersonalismPersonalism



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Organization of the talkOrganization of the talk

WarningWarning

The dark side!The dark side!

RewardReward

Self-improvementSelf-improvement

ConclusionConclusion



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As a StudentAs a Student– Bachelors in Computer EngineeringBachelors in Computer Engineering– Masters in Computer ScienceMasters in Computer Science– Doing PhD in Artificial IntelligenceDoing PhD in Artificial Intelligence



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As a TAAs a TA– Both undergrad and grad coursesBoth undergrad and grad courses– From 101 to 500 level coursesFrom 101 to 500 level courses– Both theoretical and programming coursesBoth theoretical and programming courses– Both Discussion session and GradingBoth Discussion session and Grading



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As an instructorAs an instructor– Taught undergrad level courseTaught undergrad level course– Supervised a TASupervised a TA



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IntroductionIntroduction

Complete Picture Complete Picture

= Background + Foreground= Background + Foreground

Dynamic EnvironmentDynamic Environment– InteractiveInteractive– ExtemporeExtempore



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CommunicationCommunication

Students from different background, Students from different background, different countriesdifferent countries– Be openBe open

PronunciationPronunciation– Go slowGo slow



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Academic LessonsAcademic Lessons

No copy-book teachingNo copy-book teaching– Prepare before teachingPrepare before teaching

Design own examplesDesign own examples– Matrix multiplication: Matrix multiplication:

cost table = price table cost table = price table × quantity × quantity tabletable



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Find real world analogyFind real world analogy– Graph theory: Graph theory:

geographical planning geographical planning

mapquestmapquest

Encourage questionsEncourage questions– Ask questions to generate questions:Ask questions to generate questions:

definitions definitions

proof stepsproof steps



1111


Back theory with applicationsBack theory with applications– Matrix:Matrix:

computer graphicscomputer graphics– Graphs: Graphs:

computer networkingcomputer networking



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Office hoursOffice hours– Be professional, Be professional,

not officialnot official

Not limited to office hoursNot limited to office hours– Entertain corridor attacksEntertain corridor attacks



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EmailEmail– Respond at least somethingRespond at least something

Put yourself in their shoesPut yourself in their shoes– Recall your expectation from your own TARecall your expectation from your own TA



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WarningWarning

Help ≠ SolutionHelp ≠ Solution– Programming:Programming:

hand-coding vs loud thinkinghand-coding vs loud thinking – Debugging:Debugging:

logical vs syntactical errorslogical vs syntactical errors

Be aware of trick questionsBe aware of trick questions– which may extract solutionswhich may extract solutions



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WarningWarning

Dramatic excusesDramatic excuses– Grandpa dying twiceGrandpa dying twice– Computer crashing at the last momentComputer crashing at the last moment



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The Dark Side!The Dark Side!

ThreatsThreats– Eye contactsEye contacts– Facial expressionsFacial expressions– VerbalVerbal– EmailEmail– Maybe physicalMaybe physical



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The Dark Side!The Dark Side!

In responseIn response– Your body languageYour body language– Filter what is relevant, Filter what is relevant,

ignore restignore rest– Inform the supervisorInform the supervisor



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RewardsRewards

ExperienceExperience– AppreciationAppreciation

ObservationObservation– AttendanceAttendance– AttitudeAttitude

ProofProof– EvaluationEvaluation



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The more you teach, The more you teach,

the more you learnthe more you learn– Mock teachingMock teaching

Proof of learningProof of learning– How well do you explain to othersHow well do you explain to others



2020


Observe your own TAsObserve your own TAs– What do you expect,What do you expect,

what you don’twhat you don’t

In one senseIn one sense– Teaching Teaching isis

PreachingPreaching



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ConclusionConclusion

Teaching is at the same timeTeaching is at the same time– TeachingTeaching– LearningLearning– FunFun– SeriousSerious

Honesty (no ego)Honesty (no ego)– You may not know everythingYou may not know everything– Be aware of your limitationsBe aware of your limitations

Beyond Data and Digits: My Teaching Experiences in the CSI Department Goutam Paul Computer Science...

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