Jorge Alberto López, PhD

In 1990, interviewed by Vista Magazine, I was asked “What teaching methodology do you use in the bicultural-bilingual-binational area of El Paso?” and my response was “Whatever works.” Decades later, I still adhere to the same philosophy, if it can be called that. Teaching is not a goal but a tool, and as such it must adapt to the conditions. Sometimes teaching must be seasoned with confidence-building ingredients (as for high school students taking college courses). Other times it must become more of a challenge than anything else (as for more mature university students). Technology must be included whenever it serves a purpose; modern methodology must be adopted whenever it suits the case. The ultimate goal should be to help the students learn content, methodology, and critical thinking.