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Faculty Excellence at UMUC
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Faculty Interview
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| Interviewer: | Please tell us about your chosen discipline—how long have you worked in or taught it? What made you interested in the area? What keeps you interested in the area? | |
| Les Pang: | One could argue that I have been in technology since becoming an engineer in 1975. I became interested in technology because it is truly a powerful enabler for people to improve their quality of life, whether it is the Internet for exchanging e-mail with friends and family, a GPS system in an automobile to prevent one from getting lost, or a mechanical heart that will keep a loved one alive for several years longer. Advances in technology always keep me interested in this area. The creativity and innovation that comes from applying state-of-the-art and emerging technologies to our everyday lives never ceases to amaze me | |
| Interviewer: | How would you describe your teaching style or philosophy? What experiences or person(s) have influenced your style or philosophy? | |
| Les Pang: | My teaching style is simply to provide an environment that is conducive to learning – one which supports collaboration and teamwork, student-centricity, personalization, fun, and humor. I am committed to providing the highest quality education for my students. In working toward my doctorate and MBA, I have been a student for many years (my wife called me a "professional student") and I have identified the best attributes of the professors I have had. I have attempted to instill these attributes into my teaching style. I am inspired by Albert Schweitzer who said:
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| Interviewer: | What do you find most satisfying about teaching in your chosen format(s)? | |
| Les Pang: | I get a kick when a student makes a connection between technology and the problem he or she is trying to solve. It could involve an issue within an organization or a situation at home but that moment of epiphany is quite rewarding. In a f2f class, I thoroughly enjoy the direct interaction with the students – I feel that I am in a classroom of professional colleagues sharing and discussing new ideas. The online mode affords me the opportunity to breakout from the confines of the brick and mortar classroom and relate with students all across the globe. I've had students from Korea, Germany, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Italy, England, and Canada as well as those across the United States. The blended mode allows the student to continue a stimulating discussion that was initiated in class and also deeply explore some appealing classroom topics. |
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| Interviewer: | What do you find challenging about teaching in your chosen format(s)? | |
| Les Pang: | A major challenge in both f2f and online classes is having students work collaboratively within team environments. Another challenge I find in the online classroom is maintaining a high level of instructor presence and student interactivity in class. Students are not in an electronic correspondence class where they blindly turn in their assignment regularly with no interaction with the instructor or fellow students. To provide an optimal learning environment, the instructor needs to be responsive to student questions, contributions, and issues. That is why when I teach a class I normally get online at least twice a day, everyday. Also, I prompt student interaction through the formation of study groups in which they are expected to work cooperatively in their assignments. I try to include interactive activities whenever I can. | |
| Interviewer: | Please explain if you do something special or unique in your approach and how you developed that approach. What do you think it is about your approach that appeals to students? | |
| Les Pang: | My greatest asset is the sensitivity and understanding I have for the student. It is important to look at the customer (in this case, the student), understand what his/her needs are, and identify how to best address these needs. This student-centric perspective has been recognized by those who attend my class as key in achieving their goals and objectives. | |
| Interviewer: | What suggestion would you give to students who are interested in majoring or working in your discipline? | |
| Les Pang: | Consider this discipline only if you have passion for the area. Don't go into it for the money or the prestige. Do it because of your love of the specialty. Only by taking this approach will you be continually motivated to do well in the area. Success will naturally follow. | |
| Interviewer: | What suggestion would you give to new faculty who are interested in teaching in your discipline at UMUC? | |
| Les Pang: | One suggestion is to have fun and enjoy what you are doing. Also, keep up with the latest educational trends and technologies dealing with teaching. Quite a few years ago, I attended UMUC faculty development courses on HTML and Web development. Finally, I suggest that a prospective faculty member know thoroughly about the resources offered by UMUC—such as its highly informative faculty development training series, comprehensive library services, its effective plagiarism detection tools and services, and its potent WebTycho online learning management system. These tools and resources will clearly make an individual a better educator! | |
Related teaching resources developed by Les Pang:http://members.aol.com/lpang10473/bestprac.htm http://www.lespang.com http://www.ndu.edu/irmc/elearning/infotech.html http://members.aol.com/lpang10473/flashtut.pdf |
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