Teaching Assistants' Training Program

Description

Blackburn Room, Robarts Library 4th Floor

Mike Kasprzak, TATP Curriculum Developer
Sandy Carpenter, TATP Course Instructor Coordinator

In higher education, we expect students to think critically about course materials, but many students may not understand how to engage in critical thinking. Since critical thinking skills are essential to a meaningful learning process, it is important for TAs to clearly articulate what critical thinking is and then help students develop the skills that will enable them to apply a critical lens to course material. In this training session, we will define and discuss characteristics of critical thinking and will identify strategies for encouraging students to practice critical thinking.The workshop will focus on three areas: developing critical thinking skills, effective questioning, and critical reflection. By the end of the session, participants will have a list of ideas on how to incorporate these distinct components into their teaching and transfer them to specific disciplines or learning goals.