Teaching Assistants' Training Program

Cristina D’Amico, TATP Humanities Trainer
Professor Shawn Brake, Chair (Department of English), Centennial College
Professor Christian Leveille, Department of English, Humber College
Dr. Bethany Osborne, Community Worker Outreach & Development Program, Sheridan College
Professor Madgin Stoica, School of Applied Computing, Sheridan College

Are you interested in teaching in Ontario’s college system, but unsure how your university experience has prepared you for this challenge? This roundtable draws on the experience of four industry professionals who have demonstrated excellence in pedagogy and made the transition from university to college teaching. The Q&A session will provide participants with concrete pedagogical strategies for college-style lectures, practical work sessions, and discussion-based sessions, with an emphasis on how these might differ from university teaching (the interactive large group lecture, increased checking for understanding, and collecting evidence of that understanding in a discussion-based session). We will familiarize participants with the culture of college teaching, including oversight and professional development opportunities, student profiles, teaching to “measurable outcomes,” and the importance of educational technology. Finally, we will broaden awareness of participants of teaching careers and trajectories outside of the university, along with information about resources that can help with applications and course design (TLC in colleges, provincial resources, and relevant journals).