TEACHING STATEMENT
Construction is one of the oldest professions in the world. From our ancestors up to now we are building structures that are safe places for us. Technological improvements, the complexity of human needs, and economic factors force us to build safe places together with technical and legal problems that arose more than those of our ancestors’. We need skilled, trained, and ethical professionals that society can depend on. These professionals must be guided with clarity and trained with the necessary knowledge the way they can learn efficiently.
One of the main striving principles that I build my classes is to state the ultimate goal of the class with clarity. Preparing a planned and verified syllabus is my starting point. I prepare each syllabus like a guide that students can draw an overall picture of the class. What is the main aim of the current class, what is the ultimate aim of the overall classwork and where we stand now are the questions that I always ask at the beginning of each class. Defining the ultimate aim with clarity also requires to-the-point presentations, homework, and class discussions. I always bring print outs of my slides to the class and distribute them to all. I observe students whether they are mentally in class or out of class and try to ask questions about their experiences related to the subject. Using the blackboard and reading out what I write on the blackboard is the oldest trick that I use in classes. Different colored chalks are always in my bag.
Another principle that I depend on is “learning by doing”. Since I am a fan of the proverb “I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand (Confucius)”, I always depend on class works and discussion. Students need to understand what has been taught by doing. After defining the concept, I always prepare classwork that each student must solve by themselves. I give them a period and come closer to ask whether they understood the subject or not. If some of them did not understand what had been taught, it is time for reviewing the subject.
My teaching objectives mainly focuses on;
- To teach basic analytical knowledge with maximum effort in class works,
- To convey required technical experiences to students through team works and project
works, - To use technological ways of learning through websites and online materials such as
videos, online polls, software, and other visual materials like simulations.
To sum up, I am very committed to providing an exciting learning environment, one that empowers both students and teachers in pursuing learning. Above all, I interact with my students with utmost respect knowing that each one represents a unique personality. I aim to create an environment where students feel free to elaborate their ideas and discuss topics. I always believe in the principle of learning by doing and project works are an indispensable part of my teaching efforts.
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
Ankara Social Sciences University, Ankara, Turkey: 2019-Today
Ph. D. Level Teaching Experince:
- Machine Learning and Modelling: Data modelling course particularly designed for social sciences students who have not worked data beforehand. Includes introductory statistics, data cleaning, data visualization with python, modelling with multiple linear regression, logistic regression, linear discrimant analysis, decison trees, support vector machines, artificial neural networks, Naive Bayes.
- Project Risk Management: Course content is specifically designed with PMI standards with PMBOK version 6. Content designed for students and professionals eager to learn more about risk. It includes risk definitions, quantitative and qualitative risk assessment, Monte Carlo simulation, fuzzy logic modeling, multi-criteria decision-making techniques and Bayesian modeling.
M.S. Level Teaching Experince:
- Project Management: This course is designed for students who are interested in pursuing a career in project management. Students obtain all necessary theoretical knowledge needed to obtain CAPM or PMP certification in their career. Topics include but are not limited: Definitions related to project management, project life cycle management, waterfall approach, organizational structures, integration management, Project integration management, Project scope management, Project time management, Project cost management, Project quality management, Project resource management, Project communications management, Project risk management.
- Introduction to Machine Learning: Designed to give necessary background information about machine learning. Includes mathematical review, introductory statistics, coding with python, algorithm design, multiple linear regression, logistic regression and artificial neural networks.
Middle East Technical University Department of Civil Engineering, N.Cyprus : 2019-2019
B.S Level Teaching Experince:
- Construction Planning: Introduction to project planning, definitions related to projects, project life cycle management, Gantt charts, line of balance method, precedence and arrow diagrams, resource allocation, resource leveling, time-cost trade off problem, schedule network compression. Includes software implementation of planning software. Ms Project and Primavera are also used during classworks and homeworks.
East Carolina University Department of Construction Management, NC, USA: 2018-2019
B.S. Level Teaching Experince:
- Global Sustainable Constructions: Designed to give introductory information about sustainability to undergraduate students. Includes concepts of sustainability and design as applied in construction, including means, methods, and practices associated with sustainability in the global built environment.
- Construction Planning and Scheduling: Designed for undergraduate students to give basic concepts on planning and scheduling. Emphasis on bar charts, critical path method (CPM), cost allocation, schedule updating, cash flow, and resource scheduling with coordination to construction documents.
M.S. Level Teaching Experince:
- Advanced Scheduling : Designed as an online course for industry proffesionals. Includes critical path method of scheduling, resource allocation and leveling with software implementation, critical chain method, resource constrained project scheduling problem, scheduling compression with heuristic algorithms and its software implementation.
Atilim University Department of Civil Engineering, Ankara, Turkey: 2014-2015
B.S. Level Teaching Experince:
- Numerical Methods for Engineers : Designed for engineering undergraduate students. The objective of this course is to introduce some numerical methods that can be used to solve mathematical problems arising in engineering that can not be solved analytically. Includes dealing with a non-linear equation in science and engineering by using the MATLAB programming, solving a linear system by using a suitable method ivia the MATLAB programming, finding the eigenvalues and eigenvectors of a given matrix, learning the approximate computation of an integral using numerical techniques.
- Construction Scheduling and Cost Control: Include basic scheduling methods like Gantt charts, precedence and arrow diagrams, line of balance method, resource allocation and leveling. Introduction to advanced studies in a computer application like MS Project, time extension clauses in international construction contracts; cause-effect relationship to prove construction claims.