Centre for Teaching Support & Innovation, 130 St. George Street, Robarts Library, 4th floor
As scientists, we need to be skilled not only in our own discipline, but also in communicating our findings with the larger global community. Many cite the disconnect between the work in academia and the translation of that work to the general public as a contributing factor in the contemporary spread of misinformation. In education, […]
Differences in expectations and styles of communicating can result in misunderstandings in classrooms, labs, and in other collaborative or supervisory spaces that you participate in. What are some practical approaches you can use to mitigate or prevent some of these potential roadblocks? The aim of this session is to challenge you to recognize the working […]
This workshop will provide information to begin building a Quercus course. You will explore some of the key features and tools through demos and hands-on activities, and share pedagogically sound best practices on how to effectively use these tools when designing Quercus courses and engaging students. We will examine strategies for effectively organizing and structuring […]
In this workshop, participants will build towards a complex understanding of equity terminology and principles. We will start by working through various scenarios around how equity issues arise in our classrooms and collaboratively generate strategies that work to address them. Then, we will ask participants to reflect on their own practices, learn from each other, […]
While PowerPoints and its alternatives may seem ubiquitous in higher education, how can we create accessible and effective visual aids for our learners? In this workshop, we will consider questions to ask ourselves before opening a PowerPoint template and explore key pedagogical frameworks that help evaluate the necessity and effectiveness of visual aids. Participants will […]
University of Toronto Scarborough - AA160, IC318 This is a 4-hour session for first-contract TAs 3 hours of general pedagogical training: 9:00am - 12:00pm - AA160 1 hour of tutorial training: 12:30pm - 1:30pm Review and Q&A - AA160 Problem Sets - IC 318 This session will include topics such as University of Toronto Policies […]
This 3-hour workshop will introduce you to the fundamentals of course design, from outcomes to assessments. We will outline the elements of effective outcomes and assessments, and we will address some of the logistical questions about course preparation (e.g. course readings) that affect decisions in course design. During the session, you will draft and receive […]
The TATP Course Design Day will provide you with an introduction to the principles and process of course design. Guided by experienced teachers, facilitators, and collaborators, you will learn how to design (or re-design) a course of your choosing in order to enhance students’ learning experiences. This institute is intended for graduate students preparing to […]
Online learning is becoming increasingly common in higher education, and, as a result, it is crucial to understand best practices for designing online courses. In this workshop, we apply the fundamentals of course design to online courses, and discuss the steps you can follow to design an engaging online course. We also consider what types […]
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 […]
THIS SESSION HAS BEEN CANCELLED DUE TO LOW ENROLMENT This session explores strategies for building a sense of community among your students in order to enhance their learning. Topics will include creating a learning environment conducive to community building, using shared decision-making, modelling community-oriented behaviours, and facilitating interpersonal connections. Participants will leave with specific strategies for breaking the […]
We encourage participants from across the humanities, social sciences and STEM disciplines to join us and engage in intra- and inter- disciplinary conversations about the socio-political contexts of our teaching and research. The impact of research extends into our global community, impacting policies, perceptions and norms. How do we situate our research within this context […]
Land acknowledgements have become common in academic spaces, as well as outside of academia, in schools and at cultural, civic, and sporting events. You might have even seen them while waiting for a bus, or while walking on Ishpadinaa, or Spadina. However, as land acknowledgements have become more common, they risk losing meaning as a […]
Many of us are familiar with the dominant narratives around resiliency and “grit” that are currently circulating in public discourse – “You need to have grit to succeed,” or “you learn best through adversity.” This discourse has led scholars and educators to consider the central role that emotions play in teaching and learning. Emotional intelligence […]
The purpose of this session is to familiarize TAs with reflective practice in teaching and learning, as well as equip participants with open-ended and guided tools for building and maintaining a robust reflective practice. Reflective practice “carries multiple meanings that range from the idea of professionals engaging in solitary introspection to that of engaging in […]