Teaching Assistants' Training Program

Description

Blackburn Room, 4th Floor Robarts Library/CTSI Teaching Studio, Room 4034

Please note that these sessions are for Course Instructor Job training only and cannot be counted towards either the Teaching Fundamentals or Advanced University Teaching Preparation Certificates.

 

SESSION A – 9:30 AM – 11:30 AM – Course Planning and Effective Syllabus Design

This two-hour session will introduce first-time course instructors (CIs) to the basic elements of planning a course and designing a syllabus at the University of Toronto. The course syllabus is the primary means of communicating course objectives and instructor expectations. A well-crafted syllabus ensures that students understand the essential requirements for participating and succeeding in the course. In this session, we will consider the elements of syllabus design and identify the components of a clear and meaningful syllabus based on the goals of your course. Attendees will receive useful take-away resources and guidelines that will help them prepare or revise their own documents.

*** We ask that participants to bring a copy of their own syllabus or of a syllabus from a similar course in their disciplinary area for review and discussion. Please seek permission from the author of any documents which are not your own that you would like to use in this workshop. Participants who arrive without a syllabus may not be permitted to participate in this session.

 

SESSION B – 12:30 PM – 2:30 PM – Assessment and Assignment Design: How to Bring the Best Out of Your Students

What makes an effective assessment (e.g., assignments, projects, and tests)? What are your learning goals for your students? How do you plan to check whether they’re meeting those goals? In this workshop, we will explore how to design assessments to match a course’s learning goals, and how to assess your proposed assessments. We will also look at a variety of ways to check your students’ understanding, moving beyond the more typical forms of assessment used (e.g. final essays, midterm exams).

 *** We ask that participants to bring a paper copy of one of their own assessments or assignments (or an assessment from a similar course in their discipline) for review and discussion. Examples of an appropriate document to bring include: an essay or lab assignment handout. No tests please! Please seek permission from the author of any assessments which are not your own that you would like to use in this workshop. Participants who arrive without an assessment document may not be permitted to participate in this workshop.

 

SESSION C – 2:45 PM – 4:45 PM – Course and Web Administration for First Time CUPE 3902 Unit 1 Course Instructors

This two-hour training session will introduce first-time course instructors (CIs) to the basic elements involved in teaching a course specifically at the University of Toronto. We will cover a variety of administrative and logistical details that arise throughout the life cycle of a course, ranging from what needs to be in place before a course begins (e.g. the course website, ordering texts) to important dates that arise during and after the term (e.g. drop dates, administrative dates, posting of final grades, closing of course website). Participants will also have the opportunity to ask questions about and start working with their course website. Participants will leave with a clear view of what a typical course timeline looks like in terms of its administration, and a checklist of steps they need to take to prepare for teaching their first course.