Teaching philosophy

During my tertiary teaching career I have been undertaking a long-term action research experiment which centres around some simple principles and goals:

1. Use free and open source software, open file formats, & open access materials
   (i.e., in all aspects of teaching, strive to use only software and file formats which is free and available to students at no cost and to create and use only open access (non-proprietary teaching materials)
2. [Integrate experiential and academic learning processes]
   (i.e., to make the learning dynamic and as meaningful as possible within the context of students' lives whilst also seeking to guide students towards specific skills, knowledge and competencies)
3. [Seek feedback, evaluate and make adjustments]
   (i.e., to make ongoing adjustments to better meet the needs and interests of learners and society now and into the future)
4. [Balance] a gradual (drip-drip) approach to development with the need to innovate, provoke, create, take risks, and make "mistakes"
   (mistakes are only mistakes if you don't learn from them).
5. [Systems theory]: Explore and engage the array of local through global implications of teaching processes and activities
   (i.e., we don't teach within a box, but within groups, cultures, environment, etc.).
6. [Create ecological abundance]
   (i.e., to strive not only to minimise the unit's collective ecological footprint, but to also aim towards generating generation of ecological growth via the unit activity).