Faculty Excellence at UMUC

Interviewer:

Please tell us about yourself—what made you decide to teach at UMUC? What kind of work do you do when you are not teaching at UMUC? Are there any life experiences that have influenced your teaching at UMUC? If so, please share one story.

Dennis Whitford:

I have the privilege of teaching at UMUC for my second career. I previously served 30 years as a US Navy officer, which afforded me experience working with culturally and linguistically diverse sailors and marines who, by definition, were non-traditional adult learners. The UMUC virtual classroom offers a positive way for me to give back to servicemen and servicewomen, as well as other adults who cannot attend a traditional classroom. Education is my passion, and teaching online at UMUC, using a variety of learning formats, is my goal.
When I am not teaching at UMUC I am an invited guest speaker on the science topics that I teach at UMUC, allowing me to travel internationally to present lectures. I also enjoy serving my community as a board representative for my condominium association.

Education was my personal "key to freedom." I was born into a working class family, where neither parent attended college and only one completed high school. My parents wanted me to succeed and always stressed that working hard in school could help me to achieve my lifelong goals—and they were correct! Education has enabled me to have two fulfilling and successful careers. As a UMUC professor, I wish to provide educational motivation and opportunities to all students so that they too can achieve this freedom.

Interviewer:

Please explain if you do something special or unique in your teaching and what made you develop this.

Dennis Whitford:

In my marine biology course, I developed some extra credit exercises that have students identify marine life from photographs, e.g. I have a set of photographs that focus on dangerous marine animals. Then after identification, the students provide the formal biological nomenclature and facts about the animal. This has been a very popular exercise, especially since we do not have field studies. I developed these exercises to excite students about creatures of the sea. Some student divers have even provided their own underwater photographs.

For weekly conferences, students are assigned different questions, so all answers and my subsequent comments can be shared in the online classroom, simulating a face-to-face class. This provides a broader learning experience.

For term papers, students have the option to submit PowerPoint projects as well as written traditional papers. Often, these projects are creative and contain excellent information. This helps students who are more visual learners and also provides them a valued skill in the workplace.

Interviewer:

What do you think it is about your teaching style that appeals to students?

Dennis Whitford:

My students like my course organization, the variety of learning opportunities and styles, my rapid reply to their questions and submissions, and my excitement and professional knowledge of the course material.

Interviewer:

Do you teach face-to-face, online, or both? Do you have a preference between teaching face-to-face and online? If so, please explain.

Dennis Whitford:

I teach online at UMUC. However, I have about 10 years teaching experience in face-to-face environments in other colleges.
They both have pros and cons. In face-to-face education, I enjoy getting to know the student personally and seeing the excitement of understanding, or questions in their eyes, as they hear the information explained. In online teaching, I enjoy the flexibility it affords for both my students and me, and I like the opportunity to deal with students who do not have the chance to take classes face-to-face. These students tend to be very motivated because they are doing their college work as an overload to their already busy lives.

Interviewer:

Please tell us about your chosen discipline-i.e., what made you interested in the area initially? What do you do to stay current in your discipline? What do you like best about teaching in your discipline?

Dennis Whitford:

I have always marveled at the power and majesty of the seas. As a high school youth, I traveled on an oil tanker, and as a college student, I cruised on ships in the Navy. Thus, studying oceanography was a natural fit. I am also enthralled with the power of weather. To understand the sea, you must understand the weather. Both topics, oceanography and weather, are intrinsically linked and are the courses I teach. I engage in professional development by researching, developing, and presenting science lectures to the general public. In the past three years, I have been invited to present 55 such presentations, where individual audiences have reached 750 people. This research makes me a better professor since the topics directly pertain to my courses. I have also published numerous, peer-reviewed scientific and pedagogical papers and have made numerous scientific and pedagogical conference presentations. I continue to read scientific journals to keep abreast of my field. Most importantly, I research and answer my students' excellent questions.

I enjoy the opportunity to share my enthusiasm for the oceans, weather, and the world around us. I like to teach these subjects because they are relevant to each person in their day-to-day lives. Education will help to preserve the environment in which we live.

Interviewer:

What is the most challenging to you in teaching in this area? What teaching strategy do you use when you encounter the challenge?

Dennis Whitford:

The challenge is inculcating a love for the course material when (1) my students are not science majors and will readily state they do not like science, and (2) my students cannot hear my voice or see my energy and enthusiasm for the material. My strategy is that I respond to all my students each week with interesting course-related material that is not in their textbooks. I post interesting images in my weekly Class Announcements to engage their attention. I offer extra credit to those who will undertake significant work in the field, e.g., an oyster restoration project. I give the students opportunities to learn in a variety of methods, bringing in their real life experiences as examples.

Interviewer:

What suggestion would you give to students who are interested in majoring or working in your discipline?

Dennis Whitford:

Develop good study habits. Learn to write and speak effectively. Since graduate school is usually a necessity, work very hard in your undergraduate courses so that graduate school will be available for you.

Interviewer:

In your opinion, what makes UMUC the college of choice for students?

Dennis Whitford:

There are several reasons: (1) the faculty are professionals in their fields before they entered academia. This provides a solid, real-world background for the students. (2) WebTycho is the best online educational interface of all major interfaces in use today. (3) UMUC has decades of superlative experience and reliability to offer the students.

Interviewer:

In your opinion, what makes UMUC the employer of choice for future faculty members?

Dennis Whitford:

The university is a growing, changing, and exciting atmosphere. The campus reaches the entire world and all the people in it. It is a vibrant place, with excellent faculty, staff, and support.

Interviewer:

What suggestion would you give to new faculty who are interested in teaching in your discipline at UMUC?

Dennis Whitford:

If you plan to teach online, keep in mind that the students cannot see your enthusiasm or body language. Therefore, it is very important to draft your classroom exchange and e-mails in a very positive and supporting tone. Injecting practical experiences, photographs, and examples are important to get the students excited about the world around them and the daily effect the ocean and weather have on their lives.