Teaching Philosophy
In the last two decades, I have taught a great variety of students, from science and engineering students at U of Minnesota to high school students, and from selected students at a liberal arts college to working adult students in evening classes. Even though my methods and pedagogy vary with students, my principles of mathematical instruction have been consistent. They are stated as follows.
Inspiring minds with mathematics. As a math instructor, I help students learn to appreciate the intellectual beauty of math. Since its birth by the Greek civilization, western mathematics has contributed to the world more than technical applications and discoveries: its logic structures and its belief in comprehending the physical world through mathematics are the foundation of the intellectual and technological wealth that propels the modern world. Another noteworthy aspect is the application of mathematics in our daily life in the modern world. I bring these aspects into my classroom.
Providing quality instruction via effective delivery. A capable teacher needs to explain concepts clearly, but it takes more than a good talker to make a good math instructor. I am skillful in the classroom, and helpful and resourceful outside of it. Besides delivering good lectures in the classroom, I create a great deal of study materials from extra handouts to online video lessons. I emphasize post-assessment follow-up learning by requiring students to make up failed exams and making them improve on their weaknesses. Students know that I am kind in helping them, but extremely firm on meeting learning goals.
Helping students build perseverance by challenging them relentlessly. Mathematics is a major indicator of a student’s academic success for a good reason: to do math well, a student needs good studying skills, hard work, and the ability to make continued effort despite of frustration and defeat, all of which are important factors for success in any academic field. As an instructor, I challenge students to work harder not only for the high expectation on content knowledge, but for building up their perseverance. I also require my students to learn how to self-assess their problem-solving when doing mathematics. Students need to develop advanced learning practices as they advance into deeper content knowledge; they should keep learning about how to learn, and I will be there to coach them.
Being innovative and creative. I have designed multiple classes using web-based learning technology. My other teaching innovations also include a writing-intensive analysis course, and an effective developmental math course designed with a mastery-based approach.
I have a successful track record as a math instructor: I have won a teaching award as a teaching assistant at the University of Minnesota, and I constantly receive outstanding student and peer reviews in my 10+ years of full-time teaching career as a math professor. I have excelled in the traditional classroom, and I also created new methods using latest learning technology. Math teaching is ever-evolving, and I will continue to improve my teaching by incorporating new pedagogy and methods and creating outstanding learning experiences for my students.
Student Testimonial
The following are highlights of student comments.
In the last two decades, I have taught a great variety of students, from science and engineering students at U of Minnesota to high school students, and from selected students at a liberal arts college to working adult students in evening classes. Even though my methods and pedagogy vary with students, my principles of mathematical instruction have been consistent. They are stated as follows.
Inspiring minds with mathematics. As a math instructor, I help students learn to appreciate the intellectual beauty of math. Since its birth by the Greek civilization, western mathematics has contributed to the world more than technical applications and discoveries: its logic structures and its belief in comprehending the physical world through mathematics are the foundation of the intellectual and technological wealth that propels the modern world. Another noteworthy aspect is the application of mathematics in our daily life in the modern world. I bring these aspects into my classroom.
Providing quality instruction via effective delivery. A capable teacher needs to explain concepts clearly, but it takes more than a good talker to make a good math instructor. I am skillful in the classroom, and helpful and resourceful outside of it. Besides delivering good lectures in the classroom, I create a great deal of study materials from extra handouts to online video lessons. I emphasize post-assessment follow-up learning by requiring students to make up failed exams and making them improve on their weaknesses. Students know that I am kind in helping them, but extremely firm on meeting learning goals.
Helping students build perseverance by challenging them relentlessly. Mathematics is a major indicator of a student’s academic success for a good reason: to do math well, a student needs good studying skills, hard work, and the ability to make continued effort despite of frustration and defeat, all of which are important factors for success in any academic field. As an instructor, I challenge students to work harder not only for the high expectation on content knowledge, but for building up their perseverance. I also require my students to learn how to self-assess their problem-solving when doing mathematics. Students need to develop advanced learning practices as they advance into deeper content knowledge; they should keep learning about how to learn, and I will be there to coach them.
Being innovative and creative. I have designed multiple classes using web-based learning technology. My other teaching innovations also include a writing-intensive analysis course, and an effective developmental math course designed with a mastery-based approach.
I have a successful track record as a math instructor: I have won a teaching award as a teaching assistant at the University of Minnesota, and I constantly receive outstanding student and peer reviews in my 10+ years of full-time teaching career as a math professor. I have excelled in the traditional classroom, and I also created new methods using latest learning technology. Math teaching is ever-evolving, and I will continue to improve my teaching by incorporating new pedagogy and methods and creating outstanding learning experiences for my students.
Student Testimonial
The following are highlights of student comments.
- My math skills are severely lacking, but I feel this instructor provided information in a way that helped me grasp the subject matter and feel more confident in my math skills. This is probably the first time I have enjoyed math. Professor Weng was a terrific instructor who could also go into comedy.
- I was incredibly nervous for this class but found Dr. Weng to be easy to follow, interesting, and good at making things understood. I never in a million years thought I would actually enjoy statistics! I appreciate that he really gave every opportunity to pass the class.
- Dr. Weng is an excellent teacher. He is an asset to Metro State. I decided to major in math after taking 2 of Dr. Weng's classes. He makes the subject matter interesting, assessible and fun.
- The instructor showed a great deal of passion and enthusiasm for calculus. He was very encouraging to students and did not belittle anyone.
- He is the only professor I have had for a math course who really wants students to learn and achieve. He was great!
- My instructor made me understand math to a whole new level. He is by far the best math teacher I've had.
- I have not taken a math class in 10+ years and I was able to do very well with his teaching.
- He definitely enjoys math and he helped me enjoy math as well.
- The enthusiasm of the instructor kept me going.
- He made calculus fun. I looked forward to class every week.
- I have never had a math teacher be able to explain a problem like him.
- Dr. Weng is one of the best lecturer of times.... I wish him the best in career at Metro State.
- ...He's one of the best prof's I've had at Metro State.
- Best math instructor I have ever had!
- Very motivational math teacher.