Teaching Assistants' Training Program

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 […]

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, […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

TAing for first and second year classes can often feel overwhelming.  There is usually a wide range of materials to cover and at times it might seem that students lack the learning tools they need to grasp the new material. By combining content with skills-based learning techniques, TAs can help their students tackle complex and […]