Teaching Assistants' Training Program

Description

Blackbrun Room/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.

 

Course Instructor Camp

During this full day of training, course instructors (CIs) learn the fundamental stages of creating an effective, engaging course that supports student learning. We cover many of the principle components of course design, including learning outcomes, assessment, teaching and learning activities, and syllabus design. We also discuss policies and course administration details that are specific to the University of Toronto.  By the end of the two sessions, participants will leave with practical experience applying the elements of course design, and will be able to use what they learn to successfully develop a new course, or modify an existing one. They will also be well prepared for the administrative duties of U of T courses, and will be familiar with U of T policies. The camp is divided into two sessions.

SESSION A: 9:30 AM – 12:30 AM | Effective Course Design: From Outcomes to Assessments

We begin this session by introducing CIs to the fundamentals of course design. We outline the elements of effective learning outcomes, and demonstrate how these outcomes can be used as the building blocks for the course, around which your assessments and teaching and learning activities can be built. We then examine different types of assessments that can be used, discuss strategies for building them effectively, and consider how and when to integrate them into your course. We finish this session by exploring how teaching and learning activities fit into your course. We discuss best practices for organizing your lectures and incorporating active learning activities, with the goal of creating engaging lectures.

*** We ask that participants 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 B – 1:30 PM – 4:30 PM – Syllabus Design and Course Administration for First Time Course Instructors

In the first part of this session, we examine the elements of syllabus design and identify the components of a clear and meaningful student-centered syllabus. Attendees will receive useful take-away resources and guidelines that will help them prepare or revise their own documents.

In the second part of this session, CIs are introduced to the basic elements involved in teaching a course specifically at the University of Toronto. We 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 are also introduced to the EdTech tools available to them, and will have the opportunity to ask questions about their Quercus course pages.

*** We ask that participants 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.