Inside Scoop: Bilikis Banire

I am Bilikis Banire, a Postdoctoral Fellow in the Faculty of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry and Faculty of Computer Science. My role involves co-supervising undergraduate and graduate students, guiding them in research and development projects. I specialize in teaching the objective approach to measuring human behaviour using advance technologies such as eye-tracking devices alongside software prototyping design. My teaching philosophy emphasizes practical, hands-on learning to equip students with essential skills for their academic and professional journeys. I am dedicated to advancing interdisciplinary research and fostering a deeper understanding of Human-Computer Interaction, not only in medical contexts, but also in education and related domains.

Reflecting on my own experiences, there are several things I wish I had known before taking on this role, which could have better prepared me and improved my effectiveness as a TA. One major lesson I learned is that the dynamics of teaching can vary greatly with class size and format. In small classes, it’s easier to manage hands-on activities and ensure that every student receives individual attention. However, when teaching a larger group, especially online, the same approach may not be as effective. For example, when I taught software prototyping to a larger undergraduate class, I struggled to achieve the learning outcomes within the allocated time. The hands-on activities that worked so well in smaller settings became difficult to manage and less effective in the larger ones.

Thus, thoroughly thinking through the class session beforehand by considering the number of students and the learning environment (in-person or online) can help in developing more effective approaches. Most importantly, enrolling in a teaching and learning course or workshop before (or during) your TAship provides valuable insights into different teaching dynamics. Understanding not just what to teach, but how to adapt your approach to different scenarios, is crucial for effective teaching.