My Approach
... to teaching, considered from three perspectives:1. Engagement Level
Students can maximize their gain from the teaching process by closing at least half the gap between themselves and their teachers. It benefits them to actively participate, engage in discussions, seek clarity on unfamiliar terms, and maintain open, honest communication.
2. Communication
Communication is at the heart of teaching. To strengthen it, we need to understand who the participants are, the roles they play, and how we can actively improve the communication process.
On June 29, 2024, the Computer Science section in German celebrated its 10th anniversary. Prior to the event, we were asked to write something about ourselves, and I wrote:
Pune mare preț pe sinceritate și adevăr, considerând că relaționarea interumană este esențială chiar și într-un cadru formal. Crede că atât informatica, cât și viața în general au o logică ce ne permite să le înțelegem; mai mult, putem aduce exemple dintr-o parte în alta pentru a o face. Vede frumusețea actului didactic în strălucirea din ochii celor prezenți, care se aprinde când intervine o înțelegere mai profundă, confirmată verbal printr-un “Es macht Sinn!” Se bucură de entuziasmul și perspectiva noii generații, mai ales când aceștia discută cu pasiune despre tehnologie și cercetare.
On November 29, 2015, I attended the second edition of 
(i.e., an event organized to provide first-year students
with an opportunity to interact with us, their teachers, in a more relaxed setting). Asked
afterwards about my experience, I said:
Destresiunea e un loc în care studenți și profesori se pot întâlni ca egali. E un loc în care ne reamintim că aceste roluri sunt doar imaginare și că de fapt atunci când interacționăm o facem în primul rând ca și oameni.
It’s worth reflecting on the idea that the only differences between teachers and students are a few years and varying levels of experience. This does not excuse students from being equal participants in the communication process.
Regarding communication, George Bernard Shaw’s
insightful observation stated: The single biggest problem in communication is the
illusion that it has taken place.
This underscores the importance of actively asking
questions whenever terms or concepts are unclear.
3. Ethics and morality
Ethics and morality are essential in creating an environment that supports both teaching and learning. I encourage the practice of five ethical principles that I deeply value and uphold:
- Do Not Kill: This includes even the smallest creatures, such as insects.
- Do Not Steal: Respect the property of others.
- Do Not Cheat: Fairness is essential; this also encompasses refraining from inappropriate sexual behavior.
- Do Not Lie: Honesty is paramount; one can choose silence instead of telling lies.
- Do Not Take Drugs or Alcohol: Avoid any intoxicants.
On a personal level, these rules promote well-being and enhance mental clarity, which in turn aids concentration and learning. At the societal level, they contribute to harmony within the community.