This is how I teach
This month we spoke with Dr Rajeev Kamineni, Academic Director in the Adelaide Business School, in the Faculty of Arts, Business, Law and Economics. Here Rajeev explains what he likes most about teaching in his discipline and how he prepares students for their future.
How would you describe your approach to teaching/your teaching philosophy?
My approach was influenced by two professors who had a significant impact on my teaching: Prof 1 had the ability to enliven the discussion, never used the word No, and ensured that everyone who contributed got their points included in the overall discussion. This encouraged students to contribute and feel part of the discussion. Prof 2 had the ability to be a master story teller, when concepts are narrated in a very interesting manner then it is difficult to forget even after many years. This is what I learnt from them and try to include in my teaching:
- In the courses I teach, it is important to convey the message that there is no right or wrong answer but the success of the argument depends on the justification. This I learnt from Prof 1 and I encourage students to talk freely without worrying about whether they were right or wrong.
- From Prof 2, I learnt the importance of involving students and grabbing their attention. Examples and stories ensure that students connect to the concepts being discussed. I realised that it is useful to put myself in the shoes of students so that I will appreciate what they are looking for and teach in a simple and easy to comprehend manner.
What do you like most about teaching in your discipline?
Passion, that is the word that comes to my mind when I think of my decision to accept my first teaching role 26 years ago. I realised that I enjoy teaching and I discovered that I have a passion for it. By passion I mean being passionate to engage students and being passionate to make complex points simple for students. This passion made me take up teaching and my favourite movies are centred on teaching, whether it is To Sir with Love or Dead Poet’s Society or Sister Act. I realised that my interest in teaching made me gravitate towards this profession. If I sit back and analyse now, I realise how in the past 2 decades I have evolved as a teacher, and how my life experiences have shaped me as a teacher. In fact, I will go to the extent to state that it is this passion for teaching that made me overcome several failures in life because at the end of a bleak day I used to console myself with the thought that my experience is a good point to share with students and that immediately made me see the positive side of failure. To conclude, this passion for teaching has taken me across continents and across diverse cultures of students.
How does your teaching help prepare students for their future?
I was successful in getting a part time role for one of my students who has a young family and was looking for employment. I got in touch with my contacts and found a suitable position for this student. This student did not excel in terms of grades and GPA but was sincere. I subscribe to a touching statement from the movie Karate Kid—there are no bad students only bad teachers. This statement had a profound impact on me as a teenager and when I became a teacher, I took this statement to heart and ensured that I engaged with each of my students and appreciated their unique talents and the challenges they are facing, this approach has worked very well and ensured that students place their trust in me and have open communication.
I would like to present an example of one of my former students, who could not secure admission into a regular undergraduate program due to his high school performance so he was asked to enrol in a foundation pathway course. I mentored him and guided him from a foundation pathway to an undergraduate degree and he graduated as a Dean's commendation student. I encouraged him to participate in various extra-curricular activities like theatre and dance so that he can develop his confidence and that worked very well for him. I have imbibed this ethos of academic excellence within the context of an all-round collegiate education.
What is your favourite way to use technology to enhance learning?
Developing a conducive learning environment for students is a commitment that I have made from the earliest days of my teaching.Rajeev Kamineni
I write students personal letters and offer them the opportunity to contact me anytime through phone, email and social media (LinkedIn). I provide comprehensive feedback to every student and in an online setting if they are not comfortable in discussing in a group. I offer students a chance to connect with me through skype, zoom or WhatsApp video call so that they can have a one on one conversation. As a former movie producer, I understand the power of visual media and use it to harness the potential in students. I have designed assessments that enable students via video presentations. Students were assessed based on the creativity of their video as well as their subject knowledge and usefulness for a start-up business. With competition for their attention span, it is imperative that social media tools are employed to generate student interest and participation.
My philosophy is to be a good listener and offer my services in any possible manner and this philosophy has stood me in good stead across countries over the years. Using my movie and theatre background, I extensively use theatre and role play to enhance the learning experience and as a tool to break the ice with students and empathise with their concerns. This builds a common commitment towards their well-being and success.