Harry Bruce

Harry Bruce sitting on a bench

Teaching

Teaching Philosophy

My approach to teaching is learner centered. I acknowledge that individuals have different abilities and learning styles. I endeavor to facilitate self-directed, autonomous student learning through encouragement, consultation and the development of supportive teaching materials.

I see teaching and learning as a relationship based on trust, mutual respect and a carefully planned and managed form of communication. The relationship between the teacher and the learner is fundamental. My goal is to establish contact with students at an individual level. I encourage each student to set his or her own goals, assess his or her intellectual strengths and limitations and to set ambitious but realistic expectations for intellectual growth and development.

I am very aware of the pace of learning in higher education so I particularly emphasize the value of deep intellectual reflection in the processes of learning and scholarship. I insist upon self-directed, self-critical, mature scholarship. I have an open-door policy and encourage students to consult with me regularly, to let me know how I can help, and to see me as a partner in their learning.

Courses

Teaching Methods

I use a variety of techniques or teaching methods in my classes including project-based and experiential learning, seminars, group discussions and presentations, role plays, mock conference presentations, lectures, peer evaluation, workshops and tutorials. My goal in classes is to build a learning community in which students learn from and with one another. I want my students to see that they have a role (as in professional life) in building new knowledge for the discipline and for practice. I want my students to value and advocate the scientific and professional values of the information field.

I teach my students to critique and value the research and theoretical frameworks, methods, perspectives and approaches, scientific literature, professional practices and principles of the discipline of information science and the professional interventions of information provision. My teaching focus is on the goals of each learner. I see and value each student as an individual with unique talents, intelligence and creativity. Each individual is also uniquely challenged in the learning environment. Teaching is about facilitating the learner’s interaction with new content, developing deep understandings that transfer into alternative situations and building the capacity for the generation of new knowledge. This is an exciting, worthwhile and challenging role. I value teaching and I take this role and responsibility very seriously.