Teaching Assistants' Training Program

In this workshop, we apply the fundamentals of course design to online courses, and consider strategies for creating and delivering engaging online courses. We first explore the Community of Inquiry model, and identify how it can be applied to online courses. Then we discuss assessment structure, and how to most effectively incorporate online assessments into […]

The scholarship of teaching and learning (SoTL) is a field of inquiry encouraging instructors to improve their teaching practice by systematically studying teaching practice and learning in the classroom. This workshop will introduce students to both the concepts and methods of SoTL. Facilitators will discuss some of the logistical concerns of conducting SoTL studies, including […]

Microaggressions are defined as the “daily, constant, often subtle, and seemingly innocuous, covert and overt negative messages and actions directed toward people from marginalized groups” (Sue, 2010 as cited in Bell, 2016, p. 7). With this framework in mind, this workshop understands the university classroom as one such space where microaggressions may occur. This workshop […]

While online teaching has opened up new possibilities for student engagement through the use of educational technologies, there is no denying that undergraduate courses have faced a significant shift away from discussion-based learning. This workshop will consider: how can we adjust and assess discussion-based activities and propel our learners towards the deep approach to learning? […]

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 […]

This roundtable will provide participants with an opportunity to reflect on the topic of critical pedagogy as it relates to their teaching and learning. In advance of the roundtable, participants will read 2–3 sources and facilitators will circulate a survey asking participants why they are attending the roundtable and what they hope to gain. Participants […]

This workshop will outline the educational benefits and practical components of Game Based Learning (GBL). While gamified teaching typically connotes the use of contests to motivate student learning, not all GBL involves competition. Dungeons and Dragons, for instance, is not a zero sum game; no one character wins or loses. In many virtual and tabletop […]

Mentorship in the laboratory is a multi-pronged form of teaching that spans various domains of knowledge (e.g., technical skills, soft skills, background/conceptual knowledge, health and safety considerations, university standard operating procedures, laboratory norms and culture etc.) Graduate students in the sciences and engineering are often tasked with training and mentoring undergraduates in the laboratory despite […]

Tabletop role play games (RPGs) like Dungeons and Dragons, Elderscrolls or World of Warcraft allow players to participate in a variety of worldbuilding and storytelling practices. RPGs have been used in the classroom to help learners shift their perspectives and engage them in new ways of thinking, they can also be used to consider teaching […]

The ability to understand experimental and observational data is essential for the evolution of scientific knowledge in academia and in our communities. However, a student’s ability to interpret and critically engage with data requires deliberate training, improving as one progresses through their academic career. The central topic for this workshop will be improving undergraduate students’ […]

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 […]

In the classroom, TAs can foster vital skills such as communication, interpersonal skills, teamwork, writing and independent thinking. However, students are often unaware of the value of such transferable skills, or even of the fact that they are among the learning outcomes of a class. As such, it is important for TAs to identify and […]

This workshop will introduce participants to infographics and how to develop them as a teaching tool for their virtual classrooms. Attendees will learn the basics of infographic making (e.g. making information concise, easy to read and follow), how to identify pertinent information to include in infographics, and resources they can use to create them for […]

Online Please note that these sessions can be counted towards Course Instructor Job training, but not towards either the Teaching Fundamentals or Advanced University Teaching Preparation Certificates.  Nevertheless, anyone is welcome to participate in the event.   This training is grouped into two parts: five asynchronous learning modules (3 hours), and two 1.5 hour online webinars. You must compete the […]

Bb Collaborate Ultra (Online) This is a 2-hour webinar for first-contract TAs. All departments may allow TAs to use this 2-hour session as part of their 4 hours of paid mandatory training (per the collective agreement between C.U.P.E. 3902 and the University of Toronto). If you have any questions, please contact services.ta@utoronto.ca. Please register prior […]