Teaching Assistants' Training Program

Michael DeBraga , Associate Professor, Teaching Stream, RGASC
Tom Klubi, Learning Strategist and Program Manager, RGASC

Thomas Edison once explained about his research, “I have not failed. I’ve just found ten thousand ways that don’t work.” Expanding current knowledge by addressing unanswered questions and resolving unresolved problems is an fundamental aspect of post-secondary education. Excellent problem solving skills and an understanding of how to develop these skills in students are essential to successful post-secondary teaching. In this session, participants will learn about various approaches to problem-solving, develop a set of criteria for identifying the steps necessary for sophisticated problem solving, enhance their problem-solving skills, and gain a more refined understanding of their strengths in problem-solving. Participants will also be exposed to how different approaches impact the problem solver and to aspects of a critical thinking methodology referred to as the ‘Graded Response Method’ (GRM).