Graduate Instruction Methods Fall 2008 Being a successful TA Cesar D. Guerrero Department of Computer Science and Engineering October 10, 2008

Graduate Instruction Methods 2 About your professor About your students Planning Assessment Training General advise Things to consider

Graduate Instruction Methods 3 Before the first day of class -Discuss the syllabus -Review the professor’s web site and the course in blackboard -Define the office hours you are expected to hold During the semester -If you don’t have to, ask for an opportunity to teach -Discuss any class issue with your professor After the final exams -Do not keep any assignment or exam. -Offer your help to the professor to file class material for accreditation purposes. About your professor

Graduate Instruction Methods 4 Advertise your office hours (syllabus, your web site, blackboard) Many answer to students’ questions are in the syllabus You are not a counselor. Know student support services Do not ignore any question or . Respond quickly and cc your professor when needed Respect diverse way of learning Provide qualitative feedback Be friendly … but professional About your students

Graduate Instruction Methods 5 Solve the assignments before students come to your office hours Create a rubric for each assignment and post it on line Plan every class you teach. Don’t forget to include: -Previous class overview -Class session objective -Main content (include at least one active learning activity) -Summary -To do for the next class Have a permanent communication with students Planning

Graduate Instruction Methods 6 Clarify what and how Guarantee consistency during grading Help to provide feedback to professor Assessment (rubric)

Graduate Instruction Methods 7 Training Free workshops available in the Center for 21 st Century Teaching Excellence ( Don’t miss the following: -Use of technology in education -Use of blackboard -Active Learning -Assessment -Teaching Portfolio

Graduate Instruction Methods 8 Be always on time (class or office hours) Know your stuff. However, you don’t have an answer for everything. Direct students to reliable sources of information when needed. It is OK to make a mistake but learn something from it Be proactive. Be organized. Be an open listener Think positively General Advise

Graduate Instruction Methods 9 Thanks! Questions?