In this blog, Natasya Saat, Assistant Professor from Heriot-Watt Global College (Malaysia), and winner of the 2024 Heriot-Watt Pioneering in Education (PIE) Award, shares her thoughts on teaching and embracing innovation to support and inspire students.
Is Teaching a Science or an Art?
Teaching is both a science and an art. As Andy Johnson (2017) explains, it involves evidence-based strategies proven to enhance learning, while requiring the creativity and adaptability to engage students effectively. In my journey as an educator, I strive to empower students through innovative practices, meaningful connections, and a nurturing environment. Bouffard (2017) highlights the artistic side of teaching, emphasizing how educators build connections with students and nurture understanding. This blog (and my work) explores a blend of both science and art in teaching.
Teaching for the Digital Generation
Educating today’s Generation Z presents unique challenges. This tech-savvy generation, shaped by instant information access and social media, demands creative approaches that go beyond traditional methods. Their learning preferences, attention spans, and engagement preferences differ significantly from previous generations (Seemiller, C. & Grace, M., 2016). Recognizing their learning preferences, I’ve adopted different learning and teaching tools to adapt with the new generation.
Teaching as a Science
Teaching is a science because it involves observation, experimentation, and adaptation. Educators, like scientists, gather data by observing students to assess the effectiveness of teaching methods and refine them accordingly. For example, in my accounting classes, I’ve explored innovative methods in addition to the traditional lectures and tutorials. By turning complex concepts into fun, interactive experiences, I transform learning from a passive activity into an engaging process.
One student remarked, “Quizizz is highly recommended during tutorials as it makes learning fun and improves understanding.” Similarly, Explorace allows students to solve problems, integrating theoretical concepts with real-world applications. I used this to engage students to solve a set of questions and challenges in teams. The activity promotes teamwork, critical thinking and communication skills that contributed to holistic student development. Students consistently commended these activities for being both educational and enjoyable.
I’ve also embraced platforms like TikTok, creating short, engaging videos with music that simplify complex topics. Accounting is known as a dry subject which involves numbers and calculation whereby students tend to disregard the theory element. To capture the students’ attention, I created these videos and incorporated them into my online learning platform. The duration of the videos is less than a minute, and they highlight key points and concepts from a lesson.
Based on the feedback, students tend to watch the video on repeat as they enjoyed listening to the music. Around 70% of the students noticed that the songs were helpful in recalling the video contents. This is supported by a study conducted by Petr Janata (2013) that uncovers that music, memory, and emotions are strongly connected. In the study, students commented that it is easier to recall concepts that have been attached to music.
I’ve shared my teaching methods at global conferences. For instance, my research titled “TikTok as a teaching tool” was showcased at the Improving University Teaching (IUT) 2023 Conference, while my work on Quizizz earned a silver award at the International Putra InnoCreative Carnival in Teaching and Learning (I-PICTL) 2023. These experiences have strengthened my confidence and inspired me to refine my current practice and explore new learning and teaching strategies.
Teaching as an Art
Beyond academics, I believe teaching is about inspiring personal growth. One of the important elements in teaching lies in its human connection. Every student brings unique strengths, challenges, and stories to the classroom. Flexibility and sensitivity are critical as no lesson plan can fully prepare for the unexpected questions or emotions that arise in class. The art of teaching shines in these moments when educators adapt and respond with compassion to students’ needs.
Recognizing these individualities, I adapt my approach to suit their needs. With playful students, I maintain firmness while balancing humour and seriousness to create a comfortable and supportive atmosphere. For more reserved students, I use gentle encouragement and offer tailored support during one-on-one interactions, helping them feel confident and valued. “We are in this together,” and “With enough effort, you can excel” are some common phrases to motivate them. These small but powerful affirmations foster trust, confidence, and resilience.
Conclusion
For me, teaching is a continuous journey of learning and growth. It is neither purely a science nor solely an art but a harmonious blend of both. While the science of teaching provides evidence-based strategies, the art requires creativity and intuition to connect meaningfully with students.
Every student brings unique strengths and challenges into the classroom, reminding educators that there is no standard approach. By staying open to feedback, embracing flexibility, and committing to understanding each student, educators can create environments where students feel supported and inspired to grow—not just academically, but as individuals.
I am humbled to be part of this transformative process, and I hope to leave a lasting impact on their lives and futures.
References
Bouffard, S. (2017). Teaching is an art – and a science – Learning Forward. [online] Learning Forward. Available at: https://learningforward.org/journal/december-2018-volume-39-no-6/teaching-is-an-art-and-a-science/.
Johnson, A.P. (2017). Teaching strategies for all teachers: enhancing the most significant variable. Lanham: Rowman & Littlefield.
Janata, P. (2013) ‘Strong Musical Experiences and the Brain’ [PowerPoint presentation]. Available at: https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1009&context= music_mind_medicine (Accessed: 21 November 2022).
Image credits:
Header: Paintbrushes by Anna Kolosyuk on Unsplash
Quizziz screenshot by Natasya Saat (c)
Tiktok videos: by Natasya Saat on TikTok (c)
