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What to Expect When you are a TADORI T N E V O, V I CE P R O V OST AND D E AN, GRADU ATE EDUCATION
7/3/20242BASIC EXPECTATIONS• TA assignments are for 20 hours/week on average• TAs are expected to treat all students with respect• TAs are expected to communicate with the course instructor on a regular basis• TAs are expected to be well prepared for class and provide helpful feedback and support for students
7/3/20243TYPICAL TA DUTIESInstructional Role Student SupportProfessor Support▪ facilitating class discussion or recitation▪ running a lab▪ assisting in field trips▪ assisting with experiential learning workshops, etc., ▪ moderating online discussions▪ serving as a guest lecturer▪ exam review classes▪ office hours▪ answering emails▪ linking students and professors▪ attending classes ▪ helping as needed▪ taking attendance ▪ checking in with students who are not attending▪ compiling instructional material▪ updating LMS▪ proctoring exams▪ assisting in planning activities▪ grading
7/3/20244LAB TAs• Solve the examples yourself (before the lab) to understand common pain points of students for lab reports• Learn to use the equipment thoroughly so you feel confident in training the students• Review and go through lab protocols ahead of time so you know what problems/bottlenecks to expect with students− Enforce lab safety especially for chemical labs and those with high voltage equipment, machine shops• Engage students in a conversation about laboratory techniques inspiring them to think critically about why something is designed the way it is in the lab
7/3/20245TESTING AND GRADING• Professors might ask you to help come up with test questions or to review the test for errors or specifically challenging questions• Grading should be organized and timely− Make sure you provide detailed comments and feedback− Be consistent across students − summarize common mistakes for the instructor to review• Be aware of the resources provided on campus (e.g. Center for Global Communication+Design (COMM+D), ALAC, disability services, counceling)− Let the professor know if you feel students should be directed to any additional resources
7/3/20246WHAT MAKES A GOOD TA• well prepared, knows the material and is up to date on readings and assignmentsPreparation• knows something about classroom pedagogy• interested in- and enthusiastic about- teaching• Understands and accommodates the different learning styles of studentsPedagogy• approachable and available (with boundaries)• offers flexibility in office hours/meeting times• organized, prompt, and professionalAvailability
7/3/20247CONT’D• practices how to explain complicated things • develops interesting examples• listens carefully to questions• tries to explain things in more than one wayCommunication skills• proactively communicates with the instructor• develops a good working relationship with the professor and other TAs• honest about time constraintsTeam Player
7/3/20248FINAL THOUGHTS• Be engaged and on fully alert during test proctoring.− TAs should not work away on their own, or stay on the cellphone or computer. Look for unauthorized material under the test scripts, under the tables, and on their smart watches or calculators. • Be sensitive to international students’ culture and language challenges especially if English is not their native language. − First semester will be a transition time for them to US academic culture, rules, regulations, etc.• If undergraduate students are bullying or disrespectful because they did not receive the grade they wanted, talk to the faculty instructor of the course for their help in resolving the issue.• Be sensitive to students who are in crisis or on the verge of going into crisis. − Let the professor know