Teaching Assistants' Training Program

Description

Online

Please note that these sessions can be counted towards Course Instructor Job training, but not towards either the Teaching Fundamentals or Advanced University Teaching Preparation Certificates.  Nevertheless, anyone is welcome to participate in the event.  

This training is grouped into two parts: five asynchronous learning modules (3 hours), and two 1.5 hour online webinars. You must compete the 5 asynchronous modules before you can attend the webinars. 

The asynchronous modules focus on many of the principle components of course design, including  learning outcomes, assessment, and syllabus design, all approached within a UDL framework. We also discuss policies and course administration details that are specific to the University of Toronto. The content covered in these modules is applicable to face-to-face and online learning contexts. 

Upon completion of the asynchronous modules, you will be able to :  

• • list the fundamental principles of course design
  • apply the principles of Universal Design for Learning to your course design  
  • create courses that reduce barriers to learning and foster an inclusive environment  
  • develop effective, well-designed courses that engage your students 
  • describe considerations related to all aspects of online course development 
  • adapt your face-to-face course to an online environment 
  • outline and implement University policies and administration concerning your course design and delivery    

The two online webinars take place after the asynchronous modules.  In the first webinar (Exploring Course Design), we take up the activities that were completed during the asynchronous modules, and answer questions related to the design of your course. Participants will also complete a syllabus activity that will help them identify areas of strength and potential areas of weakness in their syllabus. For this reason, we require participants to bring a draft of a syllabus – it does not have to be a finished or polished draft, and can be for a course you have taught before, a course you are about to teach, or a course you would like to teach in the future.

In the second session (Effective Practices for Engaging Lectures), we focus our discussion on how you can deliver engaging lectures. We explore three key areas, including planning, delivery, and reflection. We will discuss strategies that are relevant in both face-to-face and online learning contexts, and consider these strategies with accessibility and inclusivity in mind

You must compete the 5 asynchronous modules before you can attend the webinars on April 14th. 

Asynchronous Modules : https://q.utoronto.ca/enroll/HMN9RW

1. Course Design
2. Learning Outcomes
3. Assessments
4. Building Your Syllabus
5. Course Administration and Policies

Synchronous Webinars – April 14, 2022:

10:30am – 12:00pm: Exploring Course Design

1pm – 2:30pm: Effective Practices for Engaging Lectures