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.

Steven Shirley

What attracted me to UMUC was the  fact that they were the one school that offered Asian Studies online. I saw  potential there to utilize the format in ways that could push the limits of  online learning.  I’m a teacher, in almost  every aspect of life.

Interviewer:

How would you describe your teaching style or philosophy? What experiences or person(s) have influenced your style or philosophy?

Steven Shirley

I try to keep things “real.”  I noticed that is a phrase used by many faculty awards winners, and I think it says something positive about the  strategy. When students experience the  subject, they tend to learn it and learn it well.

Every bit of travel I’ve had, the  people I’ve met and the time I’ve spent in temples, talking to monks, guides,  and locals, all enrich my experience when I’m teaching for UMUC. Also the face-to-face teachers in my own  past, such as Dr. Harold Mackey of Williamston, SC, who was a gifted orator and  taught me the secret of effective communication.

Interviewer:

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

Steven Shirley

They seem to enjoy the virtual  field trips on which I take them, throughout my course.

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.

Steven Shirley

I teach both. If I had my wish, I’d do 100%  online, because I believe it to be the future; I believe it is the most  flexible and engaging of the two methods.  Maybe the technology isn’t there yet to reach my goal, but we’re rapidly  getting there, maybe in another 5-10 years.    Of course, meeting and interacting with an instructor is important, so  perhaps I’d keep 10% face-to-face.

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?

Steven Shirley

I happened  on a piece of Chinese newspaper when I was 8 years old. It inspired me, that and the martial arts of Japan, to keep pushing myself  to get to Asia, to learn more, to do more, and it turned into a career. I read, travel, and simply  experience.

Sharing my passion for the subject,  I think it is clear to my students and it can be infectious! Nothing satisfies  me more than when a student informs me they want to change their major to Asian  Studies or tell me they’ve planned a vacation to one of the countries we’ve  discussed. That’s true results!

Interviewer:

What is the most challenging to you in teaching in this area? What teaching strategy do you use when you encounter the challenge? Are  there any special challenges in teaching this subject matter online?  If yes, please explain what could be done to  meet the challenges.

Steven Shirley

Communicating such a diverse amount  of history and events in 10 weeks is the most challenging! I try  to use general themes, video, audio, and as much divergent material as I can. I think that teaching  it online can have its advantages because of the multimedia aspect.

Interviewer:

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

Steven Shirley

Read, travel, experience as much as  you can.

Interviewer:

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

Steven Shirley

The entire support system from  faculty to students makes UMUC the college of choice for students, I’ve never seen any university that has this kind of  support. It is top notch, diverse, and  offers so many opportunities. 

Interviewer:

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

Steven Shirley

This would be the same answer that makes UMUC the college of choice for faculty members.

Interviewer:

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

Steven Shirley

Get as much experience as you can  in your field and in multimedia applications for online delivery.