Teaching Assistants' Training Program

Description

Blackburn Room, 4th Floor Robarts Library

SESSION A – 9:30am-11:30am
Course 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 preparing to teach a course at the University of Toronto. We will cover a variety of important administrative and logistical details that arise throughout the cycle of a course, ranging from what needs to be in place before a course begins (course website, ordering texts, etc.), to important dates that arise during the term (drop dates, administrative dates, etc.), and the steps to take once the course is over (posting of final grades, closing of course website, etc.). Participants will leave with a clear view of what a typical course timeline looks like in terms of its administration, and will also have the opportunity to prepare a checklist of steps they need to take to prepare for teaching their first course.

SESSION B – 12:30pm-2:30pm
Making Your Syllabus Work for You and Your Students: Effective Course Syllabus Design

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. Attendees will receive useful take-away resources and guidelines that will help them prepare or revise their own documents.

*** We require 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 will not be permitted to participate in this workshop.

SESSION C – 2:45pm-4:45pm
Assessment Design: How to Bring the Best Out of Your Students

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

*** We require 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 will not be permitted to participate in this workshop.