Teaching Assistants' Training Program

Centre for Teaching Support & Innovation, 130 St. George Street, Robarts Library, 4th floor

Navigating the Commons: Teaching with Open Educational Resources

With big publishing companies charging billions of dollars to universities, students, and researchers to access learning materials, it can be difficult — if not impossible — to access the right materials. This workshop is designed for teaching assistants and course instructors who want to learn how to navigate and utilize open access journals, “free-license” resources […]

Cellphilms as Pedagogy

Cellphones play a significant role in our lives. They allow us to communicate, connect, and engage in ways previously thought impossible. However, cellphone use in most classrooms is still prohibited. In this 3-hour workshop, we introduce participants to the concept of “cellphilms,” as a way to reappropriate cellphone use in the classroom for the production […]

Facilitating Effective Group Work: Strategies and Challenges

Group work is a recurring aspect of academic learning experiences. As an instructional tool—whether collaborative, cooperative, or problem-based—it can facilitate students’ active engagement in their learning, encourage team building and skill development (e.g. communication, problem-solving, and decision-making, etc.), and bring forward different perspectives. However, there are also many challenges associated with group work, such as […]

Teaching in Ontario Colleges

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 session will be divided into two parts: first, […]

UTSC: Equity in the Classroom

In this workshop, participants discuss equity and inclusion terminology and principles. We will work through scenarios around how these issues arise in our classrooms and collaboratively generate strategies that address inequity and promote inclusion for our students. Participants will develop an understanding of equity and inclusion and strategies that can be applied to current and […]

Supporting Student Writing in the Sciences

Writing is central to research in the natural sciences; however, science students face many writing challenges. Courses and labs are often content-driven, with no time allocated to unpacking disciplinary writing expectations or skill-building. Additionally, instructors and TAs may not feel equipped with the resources, tools, or expertise to teach writing. This workshop will provide TAs […]

Course Instructor Training Camp

CTSI Teaching Studio, Room 4034, 4th Floor Robarts Library

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.   SESSION A - 9:30 AM – 11:30 AM - Course Planning and Effective Syllabus Design This two-hour session will introduce first-time course instructors (CIs) to […]

Reflective Writing: What is it and how do I use it?

Reflective writing is commonly used to support learning in experiential and work-integrated learning contexts, to encourage self-assessment of a real-world learning experience while connecting it to theory or concepts learned in class. These kinds of assignments can be difficult for students to write and difficult for TAs to evaluate since they are unlike more typical […]

Preparing Your Teaching Dossier

The teaching dossier is a comprehensive record of teaching activities and accomplishments that is now required in applications for permanent positions at the University of Toronto and at an increasing number of institutions across North America. In this session, we will review the elements of a successful teaching dossier and discuss how to use it […]

First Contract Training: All Disciplines – CANCELLED

Blackburn Room

Blackburn Room, Robarts Library, 4th Floor This is a 4-hour session for first-contract TAs 4 hours of general pedagogical training: 9am - 1pm This session will include topics such as University of Toronto Policies around teaching, classroom management, professionalism, grading and other important information for first contract TAs All departments may allow TAs to use […]

UTSC: First Contract Training: All Disciplines

University of Toronto Scarborough - AA160 This is a 4-hour session for first-contract TAs 4 hours of general pedagogical training: 9:30am - 1:30pm This session will include topics such as University of Toronto Policies around teaching, classroom management, professionalism, grading and other important information for first contract TAs All departments may allow TAs to use this […]

Cellphilms as Pedagogy

Cellphones play a significant role in our lives. They allow us to communicate, connect, and engage in ways previously thought impossible. However, cellphone use in most classrooms is still prohibited. In this 3-hour workshop, we introduce participants to the concept of “cellphilms,” as a way to reappropriate cellphone use in the classroom for the production […]

Statement of Teaching Philosophy Clinic

The statement of teaching philosophy (STP) is the foundation of any teaching dossier, is often requested as part of an academic job application, and is an important part of the tenure and promotion process. This short statement needs to effectively communicate your ideas, beliefs, and values about teaching in a condensed space. In writing your […]

Effective and Efficient Grading

Have upcoming grading to do?  This workshop is designed to assist Teaching Assistants to maximize their contribution to students’ success and their own efficiency and productivity during the grading process. Topics covered will include: effective feedback, language-related issues, academic integrity, time management, grading disputes, communication and marking rubric design. Each participant is requested to bring […]

Preparing Your Teaching Dossier

The teaching dossier is a comprehensive record of teaching activities and accomplishments that is now required in applications for permanent positions at the University of Toronto and at an increasing number of institutions across North America. In this session, we will review the elements of a successful teaching dossier and discuss how to use it […]