ABOUT ME

Hi, and welcome to you all. My name is Ms.Papia Bawa and I am your instructor for this course. I know that we will have a wonderful time, interacting and learning through the semester so that we can blossom as effective communicators. Let me tell you a little about me.

My name is obviously not indigenous to this part of the globe. It originated in India, where my parents named me after a singing bird called 'Papiha'.  I guess, they thought of this name due my chatterbox nature. I just would not stop talking. Well, many years have passed, and I still love to talk, which is great, considering my profession as a teacher.

Teaching has been my first passion, and second profession in life. Even in school, I enjoyed helping my peers learn things they were unable to understand in class. It made me feel good to know that I could make a positive difference. However, I started my career with a high profile, bureaucratic job, serving the Indian Government, and eventually resigning as Additional Commissioner of Companies and Taxes, Northern Region, India. This is where I learned the subtle intricacies of business, the challenges of business communication, as well as managing, (personnel, finance, and administration) a substantially large office. I reported to the Finance Minister of India, and the Chairman of Central Board of Direct Taxes.

Although I was busy in my bureaucratic position, I did not lose track of my first passion: teaching. I spend my weekends, and some of my free time to volunteer as a tutor for children who were financially unable to afford education. I did not get any monetary remuneration for my time, but what I got as compensation was far more satisfying.

Then, my life took a 180 degrees turn, when I met this tall, handsome, charming, man from Cincinnati, USA. Well, the rest is history! I came to USA after my marriage, and joined Purdue University as a lecturer in 1999. I started as an introductory composition teacher, and then moved on to professional writing.

Presently, I teach Business Writing and Technical Writing at Purdue, which are delivered in fully computerized classrooms. I also teach Internet English courses for Ivy Tech State College. I actively participated in the development of these courses, after my proposal was accepted by the Ivy Tech Board.

 I am also privileged to be a part of  the Fastnet Faculty Community, which has given me the opportunity to train instructors who wish to venture into Distance Education instruction.

I consider creating web based courses as my specialty. I have experience in developing and delivering fully online, hybrid, and conventional classes.

I love to write. My third book was recently published and can be previewed at http://www.authorhouse.com/BookStore/BookHome.aspx using BAWA as the keyword in search.

I also love to travel ( I have been to France, Belgium, Holland, Norway, Iceland, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Greece, Morocco, Poland, Russia, Finland, Estonia, Denmark, Uruguay, Falkland Islands, Cape Horn, United Kingdom, Singapore, Malaysia, Australia, Egypt,Turkey, Malta, Sri Lanka, Jamaica, Japan, Cayman Islands, St. Thomas, St. Kitts, Nassau, most of the Caribbean islands, Belize, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Panama, Mexico, Chile, Argentina, Canada, Nepal, as well as 90% of USA). I also love to paint, read, and above all, be creative with computers.

As for what kind of teacher I am: you are invited to be my students and find out first hand.