CS TA Orientation Spring 2014 Spring is coming!

Introductions Faculty Dr. Ken Calvert, Chair Dr. Mirek Truszczynski, DGS Dr. Jurek Jaromczyk, DUS Staff Jennifer Doerge, graduate records Dee Fuhs, payroll / finances Paul Linton, systems manager

TA Supervisors Dr. Debby Keen, CS 101 Dr. Debby Keen, CS 101 Dr. Debby Keen, CS 115 Dr. Debby Keen, CS 115 Dr. Neil Moore, CS 215 Dr. Neil Moore, CS 215 Mr. David Brown, CS 216 Mr. David Brown, CS 216 Mr. Paul Piwowarski, CS 221 Mr. Paul Piwowarski, CS 221 Dr., CS 275 Dr. Wasilkowski, CS 275

Try to keep your balance!  You have a teaching job, classes, research and a LIFE!  How do you balance it?  TALK to your supervisor AND your advisor if you are getting overloaded  Schedules can be adjusted with some notice!

Class / Section assignments Rules for changing assignments are online Rules for changing assignments are online Tell your supervisor what you want to change TO, not just what you want to change FROM Tell your supervisor what you want to change TO, not just what you want to change FROM Write down what sections are changing and who else is involved Write down what sections are changing and who else is involved Both people sign the request Both people sign the request MUST be done before first day class meets MUST be done before first day class meets

Observations / Evaluations  Every TA is observed by a faculty member every semester (usually their supervisor)  Every TA is evaluated by their supervisor at the end of every semester  The TA gets a copy of each form and a chance to respond to it  Copies are kept by TA, Dr. Keen, DGS and Graduate School  PLEASE help us by making sure your form is filled out and signed by the end of the semester!

Grad School Workshops  Every full-time TA goes to two during the semester  Make SURE you sign attendance sheet  Go to MORE if you like! They’re free!

Peer Observations Experienced TA paired with new TA Experienced TA paired with new TA New TA observes experienced TA before their first class/lab New TA observes experienced TA before their first class/lab Later in the semester experienced TA observes new TA Later in the semester experienced TA observes new TA After each observation, TAs meet to give feedback After each observation, TAs meet to give feedback Final report to your supervisor Final report to your supervisor

Useful Information Xerox machine in 773 FPAT – every TA has a code – for ABET copies - TA page PLEASE do not give this URL to anyone!! PLEASE do not give this URL to anyone!!

More Useful Information  TA mailboxes are in 773 Anderson Hall  Dr. Keen’s cell phone number is  All TAs should KEEP ALL s sent to them by students and all s sent to students, at least until final grades are done  Make sure your University account is set up and that your supervisor has an address for you

I-9 forms  If you are a new TA or  if you have been off the payroll (even a few days!)  See Dee Fuhs as soon as possible to get back on payroll!! They need a new I-9 form

Your Class Schedule  If you are a returning student, you should have already registered for classes – if not, then do it NOW!  If you are registered, please do not make changes unless absolutely necessary  If you make a change or have made one in the last few days, TELL Dr. Keen NOW!

Last Day of the Semester  Mark your calendars NOW!  Last day of the semester – Monday May 12 – AFTER Finals Week!  We hope we’re finished sooner than that, but don’t make plans until after 5/12/13

If you have to miss… If you know that you are going to miss a If you know that you are going to miss a TA meeting TA meeting Class meeting Class meeting Exam proctoring Exam proctoring Exam grading Exam grading Let your supervisor KNOW about it! Even if you have it covered, they need to know! In advance if possible but even after the fact! Let your supervisor KNOW about it! Even if you have it covered, they need to know! In advance if possible but even after the fact!

Food / Drink policies  PLEASE enforce in the labs!  Keep everything below desk level and in their packs unless they are actually using it  Don’t have bottles, even capped, sitting next to a keyboard!

Dress Code?  Several people asked, so…  General rule “don’t be distracting”  The students should be paying attention to what you are saying, not how you look  Not suit and /or tie – don’t need barriers

Pay attention to the poor performer! Caring about the students and SHOWING them that you care! Documenting how you are communicating with them Try to get names of people who come to office hours People who miss classes, miss assignment deadlines Give them a short note to ask what is wrong

Grading  Biggest part in terms of time taken  Very important part!  Rubrics should be provided by supervisor  If not, make your own and show to supervisor  Follow them as closely as possible  If you disagree with one, take it up with your supervisor  Keep the grading consistent across all sections

Academic Alert!!  Program to alert students and advisors to 'risky' behavior of students  Missed Classes (at least 2-3 in the first weeks)  Habitually Late (more than 10 minutes on a regular basis)  Homework assignments not completed or of inconsistent quality  Poor performance on tests or quizzes  Disruptive Behavior in class  Other

Academic Alerts  101 and 115 will do this this semester  The alerts are sent through the IRIS system - it automatically mails the student and advisor  I ask the student to see their TA and to see me  Give them your personal attention!  In classes besides 101 and 115, ask your supervisor

Help Students Stay at UK students.html students.html Say hello when you see students on campus Positive feedback when a student improves or does well Timely feedback - IMPORTANT! You know you want it in your classes – your students deserve it too!

YOUR OFFICE HOURS YOUR Office Hours - BE there! They will be in FPAT 773C or in RGAN 102, scheduled in the next week or two Students can show up at any time! Not just the start of the hour Try to help every student who asks, even if they are not in your section or even class Even if more than one TA is scheduled for a time, it is your job to be there

Something to think about! How Should I Respond to Wrong (or Not Very Good) Answers? Maryellen Weimer, Ph.D.

 From the 20 Minute Mentor Commons   Instructions on getting account on TA page – free!  You may or may not agree with everything said in the presentations but at the least they make you think about teaching!

What’s next? 101 TA meeting Tuesday 3pm – RGAN TA meeting Tuesday 3pm – RGAN TA meeting already met 115 TA meeting already met 221 TA meeting already met 221 TA meeting already met 215 TA meeting already met 215 TA meeting already met TAs assigned to other classes – contact your supervisors for instructions TAs assigned to other classes – contact your supervisors for instructions Graders – wait a few days for decisions of assignments Graders – wait a few days for decisions of assignments

Ending Activities Take Pictures – Zachary, Andrew, Xue, Tawfiq Supplies – pens, folders, textbooks Name tags – wear them first day Night TAs – laptops, syllabus