Learning is a positive experience

Dr. Hind Zantout Postgraduate Director of Studies and Lecturer at School of Mathematical and Computer Sciences Heriot-Watt University Dubai Campus, shares her summer time schedules when she catches on brushing up her own reading and teaching skills

Work

There is a time to learn and a time to teach. What’s your interpretation?

We live in an age of life-long learning, and allocating time as the question suggests is not realistic. Quite often you learn while you are teaching, occasionally from your own students.

Where do you find the motivation to be the motivator?

The conviction that only motivated students can learn and achieve is a very powerful motivation to make me motivate students.

What do you consider to be the sign (s) of success of your teaching?

Signs of success can be immediate: when students ask questions in class or indeed answer questions that are put to them. They can also be deferred: when students pass their exams at the end of the semester.

A famous educator once said student discipline is behaviour education not punishment. Your view?

I think there is no place in education for punishment, especially in higher education. There is a reward that a student may or may not get. It is not for the educator to punish. Unfortunately, at university level, some students can still exhibit immature behavior, and this issue has to be dealt with.

Before knowledge comes human relation, do you agree?

Absolutely. I respect my students and in return expect them to respect me before the discussion of knowledge and its transfer comes into the picture.

Play

How does the summer break fit into your working mind?

It is a time for relaxation, but at the same time for working on projects that do not fit in the academic year time-wise.

What do you look forward to most during the time?

Travel and catching up on reading

Any particular summer or summers that have enriched your life as an educator?

One summer we went on holiday in Vietnam and two of my students went out of their way to meet up with me while I was there. The trip gave me the chance to have an insight of what students leave behind and how they must have felt whilst pursuing their studies abroad.

Would you say you are the eternal student spending your summers learning?

To a large extent I would say yes. Learning to me is largely a positive experience that I enjoy.

On the cusp of getting into the university teaching cycle what are the things that weigh on your mind the most?

Making sure that my knowledge in the field is current and up-to-date.