Students are not always the only ones working in the classroom — award-winning professor Matthew Linford works alongside his students in class.
Linford was recently awarded an Alcuin Fellowship award at the Annual University Conference, which recognizes a teacher-scholar who has made significant contributions to the general education and honors curriculum.
Linford has many qualities that make him an effective professor. One of those qualities is that he comes to class ready to solve problems on the board with his students, to help them all get a better grasp of the problem and how to solve it.
“I believe that the students need to see someone actually working the problems, as they might, and explaining the thought process that goes into solving them in real time,” Linford said.
Preparation is key for Linford’s theory of solving problems on the spot. Setting aside time before the lecture, Linford is able to practice and work through concepts beforehand.
“I work lots of problems on the board,” Linford said. “I see professors with solutions to problems on a piece of paper that they copy off the board, or they have the solutions to their problems in PowerPoint. I don’t do this. . . . I’m really solving them in front of the students on the board.”
As he does this, students are able to understand the theories being presented and are able to apply it to their own work.
“I love it when the light goes on,” Linford said. “I love it when I’ve explained a new concept in a way that’s understandable to someone.”
Aside from seeing the success of students, there are various aspects of his career that brings Linford enjoyment.
“I like interacting with the undergraduates in freshman chemistry. I enjoy working with my graduate students,” Linford said. “I like the creative process. [I like] coming up with new things. I like the travel. I enjoy teaching. I like publishing papers.”
Last year, Linford became a fellow of the American Vacuum Society, a non-profit learning society that supports networking among academic, industrial, government and consulting professionals involved in a wide variety of math and science fields. This is a high distinction and a well-deserved one.