Student Expectations, Professor Expectations: How To Survive as a TA Jennifer Schleining-Cerfogli, DVM, MS Veterinary Clinical Sciences

The Roles of a Teaching Assistant Student Teacher Mentor Tutor

Expectations Small group activity

Student Expectations First Impression! Time Knowledge Organization Fair Grading Leadership

Professor Expectations Professional Organized Time Management Able to Work Independently

Your First Day Talk with the course professor beforehand Plan Visit your classroom prior to class Syllabus? Dress professionally Make a good impression Never let ‘em see you sweat!

Your First Day Put forth class expectations Talk slowly Get to know your students Make eye contact How are grades decided?

Teaching Tips Plan ahead –Powerpoint? –Group activities? –Web CT? –Assignment? –Do experiments ahead of time

Teaching Tips Grade appropriately –Make a rubric –Explain to students how they will be graded –Grade anonymously to prevent bias –Be consistent! –Attendance part of grade?

Teaching Tips Assignments –Create a rubric –Vary the assignments –Penalties for late work? –Discuss cheating/plagiarism Creating Tests –Choose format –Creating questions

Teaching Tips Be Observed Student Feedback Attend CELT Events Read –Teaching Assistant Handbook –McKeachie’s Teaching Tips Preparing Future Faculty Program

Student Conflicts Cheating Plagiarism Personality differences Learning disabilities Attitudinal differences

How to Handle Student Conflict Nip it in the rear right here Stand up for yourself Remain calm Cheating –Stop it before it starts Plagiarism –Plagiarism software or Google –Prevent it by discussing it

Classroom Conflict Disorder Confusion Challenges –Personal –Academic

How to Handle Classroom Conflict Keep calm Stand up for yourself Redirect attention Address issue

When It Doesn’t Work Speak to the course professor first Seek help/tips from other TA’s Seek help/tips from CELT Meet with disruptive student

Help ISU Center for Excellence in Learning and Teaching (CELT) – How to Create a Rubric – uation/p_7.htmlhttp:// uation/p_7.html – htmlhttp:// html How to Write Effective Test Questions –McKeachie’s Teaching Tips 12 th ed., Houghlin Mifflin, New York, 2005