Robert Hume

Robert Hume

Mr. Hume has worked at Houston Community College since 1991, beginning as an Adjunct Photography Faculty, moving to Staff Training, then to Program Coordinator and most recently as an Online Advisor for HCC Online. He has taught photography throughout, including the science behind chemistry and film, the use of zone system techniques, photographic history, studio management, both black and white and color processes, as well as digital imaging. His passion for photography began early in his college career, specializing in black and white film processes, and continues to this day, most recently exploring the possibilities of digital capture.
His basic tenets of education, whether as an Instructor, Trainer, or Advisor, remain the same:
  • Discovering personal and practical goals
  • Developing paths leading to positive learning outcomes
  • Demonstrating a passion for the learning process
Advising Philosophy
A primary objective of academic advising must always be student success. This includes an understanding of the individual with the ultimate goal of continuous improvement. While academic advising is often viewed as a means of student retention, it is more of an ongoing resource for assessment and accountability with a view towards positive student goals and outcomes. Education is a means to an end, but this end can be easily short sighted if it deals with only a student’s immediate objectives. The individual is a complex being with complex needs and desires. What may seem a quick and easy solution can affect the future in many ways, both with positive and negative outcomes. The quick path to an education can very well fulfill immediate needs, but may stifle future objectives and growth. The advisor must weigh the pros and cons of any path keeping in mind the future improvement and ultimate goals of the student.
Teaching Philosophy
By sharing a passion for the learning process it is possible to connect with a learner, reflecting on the pleasure of becoming an educated person and to understand its value in life. This passion is reflected by how we conduct ourselves in the teaching and learning experience and in our capabilities not only as instructors, but also as partners in the learning process. Promoting positive learning experiences provides a foundation that remains with a learner long after they leave an educational institution. These positive educational experiences lead to a greater understanding and willingness to learn, and in time, the capability to effectively include them in future endeavors.
To fulfill this objective, it is important to incorporate strategies based on the learning process, including learner-centered course design, proper planning and management, and taking into account the diverse needs of both the school and the learner together. These three processes work together to strengthen the learning experience as a whole. Each is a vital component in the success of the learner and their ultimate goals and objectives.