What actually makes teaching effective? In this episode of the Technikum Podcast, Bella Kitzwögerer speaks with Diane Shooman about her approach to guiding students in English Writing Skills at UAS Technikum Wien and the practices that shape her courses.
They discuss Shooman’s teaching philosophy, which links science, creativity, writing, perception, and personal development. She explains why original thinking starts with careful observation, how screens and AI can narrow expressive range, and why students benefit from spaces that value individuality, iteration, and reflective practice. The conversation also touches on the relationship between science and art, the role of rewriting, and concrete ways students can develop a clearer voice and more structured reasoning.
Shooman also talks about the Teaching Award at UAS Technikum Wien, an institutional recognition judged by an interdisciplinary jury and organized by the Teaching and Learning Center, with categories such as Best Lecturer that is based on student nominations. In the Best Lecturer category, lecturers are recognized for effectively supporting student learning through varied methods, clear and well-founded materials, constructive feedback, and a positive learning atmosphere.
In that context, she reflects on receiving the Best Lecturer distinction and discusses what she tries to implement in her classes—peer learning, personalized guidance, and iterative feedback—offering a grounded look at what worked, what she’s refining, and how student input continues to shape her teaching. An episode about curiosity, perception, and the practical craft of helping students think for themselves.
Produced by: The Voice Agency