Teaching Assistants' Training Program

In this workshop, participants will use Lego to build models of their teaching philosophies. Through periods of building, reflection, discussion and notetaking, participants will begin to identify and communicate their beliefs, values and practices as teachers. Participants are encouraged to come prepared to build with Lego and to engage in detailed discussion with co-participants about […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

In this workshop, participants will be introduced to basic equity terminology and principles. We will work through various scenarios around how these issues arise in our classrooms and collaboratively generate strategies that addressing inequity. By the end of the workshop, participants will be able to: identify equity issues on campus and in our classrooms (including […]

The principle goal of learning a non-native language is to be able to communicate using that language.  In order for students to be able to do this, classroom instruction must go beyond the grammar, vocabulary, sounds, and meaning of the target language and provide students with the opportunity to accomplish a range of communicative tasks.  […]

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 […]

In December 2015, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) of Canada released its Final Report, which included 94 “Calls to Action” for federal, provincial, territorial and Aboriginal government agencies, institutions, and peoples alike. At the University of Toronto it is now common to land acknowledgements and urges to “Indigenize” and “decolonize” throughout the humanities, social […]

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 […]

The university lecture is considered an art form by many, and for good reason: it can be a challenging and perplexing task to combine the talents of scholar, entertainer, teacher and orator. The “Effective Lecturing” workshop aims to demystify the lecture and offers instructors a framework for developing and delivering clear, engaging, and memorable lectures. […]

Prerequisite for this workshop: “Equity in your Classroom”, Decolonizing the Syllabus and/or previous workshops or engagement with introductory equity terminology and principles (e.g. anti-racism workshops, anti-oppression workshops, community advocacy work). Are you doing work to address racialization, settler colonialism, transphobia, ableism, and/or gender bias in your classroom? If so, join us to reflect on your practices, […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]