Learning and Teaching Philosophy

I have significant experience of learning and teaching in higher education since 2000 and over the course of this period have seen significant changes in the practice as well as significant shifts in the expectations of the learners and the organisation in which I primarily operate. This has required a significant amount of flexibility in my approach and philosophy, particularly in more recent times. In the early days of my teaching career, my philosophy was very much driven by my own experiences as a student. On reflecting back to my own time as a student the important characteristics of the ‘good lecturers’ were excellent all-round communication skills, being well prepared, an obviously deep and thorough understanding of the subject material and above all a passion for their subject and students. There was also little or no use of technology in the practice of the teaching.
The majority of my teaching is spent in the fields of diagnostic imaging and radiation oncology medical physics at Masters level. The approach I take in teaching these subjects is that students must first and foremost be excellent physicists. This is essential before the student can begin to apply their physics knowledge and skills to medicine. The aim of my teaching is to provide the physics graduate with the further knowledge and skills required for a career in medical physics and to start to familiarise them with the language, terminology, and professional attitude required to enter a clinical medical physics training program on completion of the course.
In teaching these medical physics students my philosophy is largely about ensuring they gain a significant awareness of the practical application of the more theoretical knowledge the course provides them with. This clear link to the medical physics workplace enables the student to understand why the medical physics they are studying is important. I attempt to achieve this through strong engagement with clinical medical physics colleagues and the inclusion of practical aspects in the courses I teach directly and oversee as course coordinator. In recent years this has involved experimentation and implementation with alternative modes of teaching including greater use of online technologies, virtual reality, and simulation technology. I also put a greater emphasis on assessment that authentically aligns closely with the work the students will find themselves doing in the clinical training and their subsequent careers.

Teaching discipline: Physics
I coordinate and/or teach the following units:

• PCN113 Radiation Physics (Unit coordinator and lecturer)
• PCN212 Radiotherapy  (Unit coordinator and lecturer)
• PCN112 Medical Imaging Science  (Unit coordinator and lecturer)
• PCN218 Research Methodology and Professional Studies  (Unit coordinator and lecturer)
• PCN520 Project  (Unit coordinator and supervisor)
• PVB304 Physics Research (Supervisor)
• PCB272 Radiation Physics (Unit coordinator and lecturer)
• CSB064 Advanced Treatment Planning Topics (Lecturer)
• CSB069/CSB094 Radiation Therapy Treatment 4 (Lecturer)