1. Teaching Labs Spring 2013 Orientation Suraj Sindia – Electrical Engineering Erica Snipes – Physics

2. Outline  Differences from traditional lecture  Before  During  After  Notes for international TAs  Questions

3. Differences From Traditional Lecture  More direct contact with students  Hands on  Smaller class sizes  Working with a lead professor  Working with other GTAs  Less flexibility over material covered

4. Before the Semester Starts  Know who is in charge  Know your responsibilities for the time  Know how much time should be spent grading, in lab, etc.  Coordinate on a grading scheme for assignments

5. Before Each Lab  Read the procedure  Talk to other TAs who have done the lab before  Try it yourself  Prepare any recitation materials  Arrive 10-15 min early

6. During the First Lab  Introduce yourself, get to know your students  Give your students a way to get in contact with you  Go over safety guidelines  Lead by example  Cover the syllabus

7. During Each Lab  Wander, interact with students  Answer questions with questions  Give honest answers, if you don’t know, say so  Be clear about what is expected with each lab activity  Clean up after each lab

8. After Lab  Stay in touch with other TAs  Stay in touch with your professor  Grade  Return graded work to students quickly  Keep organized  Answer student questions/concerns

9. Be Friendly But Not Friends  Do:  Dress professionally  Follow lab rules  Encourage student interaction  Set boundaries  Don’t:  Play favorites  Be “Facebook Friends”  Go hit the bar after lab with students

10. International TA Notes  Be sure you are within your 20 hour/week limit  In Summer you can do more than 20 hours, talk to your International Advisor, if you have specific questions

11. International TA Notes  Remembering student names  Use Blackboard toolkit for student roster  Mnemonic position chart  Personally returning assignments  Encourage students to visit you during office hours  More tips available a t: http://auburngtasurvivalguide.pbworks.com/w/page/59684952/Reme mbering%20Students%20Names%20by%20Rick%20Sheridan

12. International TA Notes  Dealing with Unfamiliar Material  Attend the theory classes  Read up any prescribed text for the subject  Talk to past and current GTA who have taught this lab in the past  Do the experiment yourself before the actual lab

13. Questions?