Azalea Othman's profile

Teaching Philosophy

I have to admit, Clinical Pathology is not an easy subject to learn. Unless you have a strong foundation - which are physiology, biochemistry and pathology, CP will be an easy task to learn. I went through difficulties myself when I was a student, but I realise that it was actually my way of learning that held me back in mastering CP.  I still remember how my CP mentor Prof Rasedee Abdullah, taught my class back in 2007. He would use the OHP projector using just a blank piece of clear OHP paper, and start to scribble a whole comprehensive mind map of the subject he was teaching during the lecture. I admired how his mind works, and now I realise that what he was trying to transpire to us was to look at clinical pathology interpretation in holistic manner, but we must be realistic about it.
My motto in teaching: Be Holistic, Be Realistic!
Now that it is my turn to be the lecturer, I realised the generation has become more advanced in learning, and are more receptive towards a certain method of teaching. I figured if I could make CP as an interesting and fun subject, maybe my students would excel even better than I ever was, as long as I keep their interest in check. I try to show my genuine passion in CP so that it will somehow can be 'contagious' enough that my students are always eager to learn the subject. 
At the end of each lecture, I will always remind my students to apply this motto "be holistic and realistic" when making interpretations. Video: end of VPM4430 lecture with DVM2024.
Teaching Philosophy
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Teaching Philosophy

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