Foundation Award for Teaching

Dr. Richard Gebken College of Business Administration Technology and Construction Management

I.  Philosophy of Teaching

My teaching philosophy focuses on three principles: (1) increasing rigor and promoting creative thought, (2) developing real world application of knowledge, and (3) mentoring and coaching students both in and out of the classroom. I believe students are best served when they are actively engaged and challenged in the pursuit of knowledge.  While a teacher may motivate, students must be actively engaged in the subject in order to experiment/explore concepts in ways they have not previously considered.  Students take greater ownership of the knowledge they encounter when using cooperative and active learning strategies to solve challenging problems. Students must also be made of aware of how their studies apply in the “real” world.  Learning requires deep understanding that can only come when students internalize and actively apply knowledge through experience.  Lastly, being a teacher includes mentoring and advising students throughout their higher education experience.  While I want students to be able to enhance their education via active learning and real world application, I also recognize that by listening, telling “war stories”, and striving for genuine empathy, I try to help students find their own voice and their own role/part in industry. Ultimately, I hope to give my students an experience to remember while developing the curiosity and skills that will allow them to be successful in whatever they set out to do.

II.  Example of Courses/Topics

My teaching load includes both undergraduate and graduate courses. I teach the following courses each academic year:

TCM320 – Construction Contracts, Specifications, and Law

TCM322 – Electrical Systems for Buildings

TCM426 – Construction Project Administration

TCM453 – Construction Cost Management

TCM645 – Project Control Systems

TCM701 – Project Management

III. Future Projects

• Expand hands-on electrical systems laboratory experiences
• Enhance repository of on-line videos for engaging students outside the classroom
• Enrich students’ experience through on and off-campus service work

IV.  Topics related to teaching and of interest to the University Community, for which you are available for presentations and/or consultations (e.g., presentation tools, special topics, technology, public affairs).

• Integrating industry relationships across the curriculum
• Improving the delivery of technical content for online courses