GTA Briefing Session_ECE_HKUST Life as a GTA in ECE The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Department of Electronic & Computer Engineering TA coordinators 2017-2018 Liwen JING & Xuanqi Chen 08/24/2017 GTA Briefing Session_ECE_HKUST

GTA Briefing Session_ECE_HKUST RUNDOWN GTA Training Program (compulsory for ECE full-time RPg students, especially PGS recipients) Spoken English Test (ELPA) (compulsory) PDEV 6770 (compulsory) GTAs in ECE TA Assignment Process TA Duties Communication skills with course instructor and students Getting help Q&A I are going to cover the following topics: 08/24/2017 GTA Briefing Session_ECE_HKUST

GTA Briefing Session_ECE_HKUST GTA Training Program Why? Postgraduate studentship(PGS) recipients are required to be TA or RA. GTA Training Program will prepare you the essential skills and knowledge in performing TA duties. What are they? 6 compulsory and 9 elective workshops 08/24/2017 GTA Briefing Session_ECE_HKUST

GTA Briefing Session_ECE_HKUST GTA Training Program How to register? http://cei.ust.hk/gta-training-program Space is limited and advance registration is highly recommended for workshops offered in August to November. Online registration is available on 25 August 2017. All workshops are held at classroom 6558 (lift 27/28). When to finish them? Within the first 4 terms of study, but we strongly recommend you to finish all 6 core workshops in the first term of study if possible. What happens next? You will be presented a certificate in May. For HK graduate (Aug30, and Sep 04) 08/24/2017 GTA Briefing Session_ECE_HKUST

Spoken English Test (ELPA) Website: http://cle.ust.hk/tests/elpa/postgraduates/ Interview Format 8 mins in total 3 stages (warm-up (1 min), dialogue (4 min) and monologue(3-4min)) Students who receive scores lower than Level 3 in any of the assessment criteria in the speaking test, or who fail to take the Test in the 1st term of study are required to take  LANG5000  Foundation in Listening and Speaking for Postgraduate Students. Supposed to be held on 21 Aug Topic development and coherence Vocabulary range and accuracy Grammar range and accuracy Pronunciation 08/24/2017 GTA Briefing Session_ECE_HKUST

PDEV 6770 Professional development for research postgraduate students Please follow the instructions in Wendy’s emails or check the RPg Intranet http://course.ee.ust.hk/pginfo/ Professional development for research postgraduate students PDEV 6770 (Profession Development) PDEV 6770 (Profession Development) 08/24/2017 GTA Briefing Session_ECE_HKUST

GTA Briefing Session_ECE_HKUST TA Assignment Process TA Assignment: Indicate your preference online http://course.ee.ust.hk/pginfo/TA_Preference_Form.htm Must include at least one ELEC course at 4000 level, e.g. ELEC4210 Result will be notified before the term commences Please contact your course instructor ASAP. Postgraduate Studentship TA’s duty as part of the requirement of the PG Studentship All new RPgs are required to take a spoken English test: ELPA (English Language Proficiency Assessment) LANG5000: Foundation in Listening and Speaking for Postgraduate Students 08/24/2017 GTA Briefing Session_ECE_HKUST

TA Assignment: select your preference online 08/24/2017 GTA Briefing Session_ECE_HKUST

GTA Briefing Session_ECE_HKUST TA Duties Marking & Grading Instructing laboratories & Conducting tutorials Students consultation: TA office hour & email Maintaining course webpage Exam invigilation Optional: Attending lecture If you are not familiar with the course 08/24/2017 GTA Briefing Session_ECE_HKUST

Communication Skills with Course Instructor and Students WHAT are the major channels to communicate with your instructor & students? With Instructor With Students Mainly by email Regular meeting Meet during office hours Set an appointment Ask students to set an appointment by email if outside of office hours 08/24/2017 GTA Briefing Session_ECE_HKUST

Communication Skills with Course Instructor and Students HOW should TA communicate with course instructor & students in a profession manner? With Instructor With Students Prepare the questions before the meeting Behave professionally (as a teacher) when meeting with students Send the questions and any relevant documents to the instructor BEFORE the meeting If you don’t know the answer and need some time to search for it, let the students know WHEN you will reply them (e.g. by Friday) 08/24/2017 GTA Briefing Session_ECE_HKUST

TA Evaluation by Students Typical Question List for Students ID Question 967 How well did the TA prepare for the tutorials in general? 968 How well did the TA explain things to you? 969 How often did the TA give you the chance to participate actively in class? 970 Do you think the TA has a solid knowledge of the subject matter of this course? 971 How often was the TA able to help you when you had a question in your coursework? 972 How easy was it to reach the TA outside of class? 973 How efficient was the TA in responding to the questions you posted online (email or online forums)? 974 How often was the TA able to give you back the graded assignments/tests/reports in time? 975 Is the feedback given by the TA about your assignments/tests/reports useful in general? 976 Is the TA helpful in general? 977 Overall, how do you find the tutorials? 980 How well did the TA prepare for laboratory sections in general? 982 Overall, how do you find the laboratory section? 08/24/2017 GTA Briefing Session_ECE_HKUST

Getting help from Department Check the Notes to TA here http://course.ee.ust.hk/pginfo/PG_Info_PDF/Notes to TA.pdf Student list of the course – download student enrollment roster through the Canvas system Student mailing list -> check ITSC website (http://lists.ust.hk/cgi- bin/itsc/courselist/dept.pl?dept=ELEC) Metal box (to collect homework) -> ask Rita (Rm.2457) IT: course web, software -> ask eehelp@ece.ust.hk Borrow the course text book -> go to IT/TA Office (Room 3114) Course photocopy service -> use the photocopier in Room 2457/3114 08/24/2017 GTA Briefing Session_ECE_HKUST

CEI PGC TAC Dept Getting help from TACs Experienced Peer for GTAs “Bridge” between Dept and GTAs CEI Contact TACs Xuanqi CHEN & Liwen JING Email: xchenbr@ust.hk & ljing@connect.ust.hk Email: eetac@ust.hk Consultations on TAs duties Helping TAs to overcome any difficulties during TA jobs Organizing activities for TAs, such as career talks, social/ recreational activities Classroom observation PGC TAC Dept 08/24/2017 GTA Briefing Session_ECE_HKUST

GTA Briefing Session_ECE_HKUST Useful Information ECE PG Info http://course.ee.ust.hk/pginfo/ PQE, Credit transfer, Thesis, etc Campus Map A full campus map can be found on: http://publish.ust.hk/univ/maps/Campus_Map_Color.pdf Path Advisor Rooms locations are organized by lift number. E.g. Room 1031 is located between Lifts 1 and 2. You may search for room lift number by visiting this website: http://pathadvisor.ust.hk/ 08/24/2017 GTA Briefing Session_ECE_HKUST

GTA Briefing Session_ECE_HKUST Opening ITSC Accounts ITSC account Login every system, like myPortal, HKUST email, Computer Barn login etc. https://cas.ust.hk/cas/login?service=http://my.ust.hk/Login ECE Unix account Mainly login to ECE Linux Computers for using different specific software (Cadence, Synopsys etc.) http://course.ee.ust.hk/pginfo/PG_Info_PDF/Form_UNIX_account.pdf myPortal Path advisor, Library, Sports facilities booking, Course registration, Webmail, etc. 08/24/2017 GTA Briefing Session_ECE_HKUST

ECE Department General Office Room 2457, Lift 25/26 08/24/2017 GTA Briefing Session_ECE_HKUST

GTA Briefing Session_ECE_HKUST 08/24/2017 GTA Briefing Session_ECE_HKUST