TA training/CoP meetings/January 26, 2015

UBC TA Training Community of Practice
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TA Training session content (Application for funding)

Facilitator: Joseph Topornycky

This page gathers notes and thoughts about this meeting.

Agenda

• Intro
• Facilitated Activity: Most effective TA Training session

What made it effective (Logistically, Pedagogically)

• Review and discussion
• Q & A (proposal logistics)
• Take Away

Objective of this session:

• develop ideas for sessions
• discuss ways of scheduling sessions for maximum impact, Grad student inclusion
• Include needs assessment

Facilitated Activity

Think/Pair/Share:

What was the most effective TA training session I've been a part of?

Why was it effective?

When was it scheduled? how long?

How was it promoted?

What was the session about?

-Challenging classroom situations x2

-Diversity in the classroom x2

-Diversity

-Assessment and Feedback

-Developing Teaching Philosophy

-Intro to being a TA

What are some of the logistical/promotional considerations that help successful sessions?

• Food (incentives; investment and care) - helps with attendance and energy
• Before Classes Start (Lunch Sessions: "food")
• Requirement aspect
• Timing (over lunch, length)
• Predictability of turnout
• Early notice and reminders
• Creativity
• Diversity of Options
• Title of Workshop
• Sequence Topics --> Series, build on each other + just before TAs need them (e.g.: Session on Marking before midterm)
• Peer Based (Topic Dependent)

What are some of the pedagogical/facilitation considerations that help successful sessions?

• Clear Objective
• (high) Comfort levels
• Participant Driven Content
• Relevant
• Trained Facilitators
• Participatory Activities
• Community Building/Mentoring
• Activities (Scenarios; Problem solving)
• Tricks + Tips (e.g.:Facilitation, feedback)
• Build on/Value their Experience as Learners
• Creativity
• Diversity of Options
• Experimentation (Safe!)
• Embodiment
• Participant Agency

Brainstorming

• What are some of the things from today that you will incorporate into your TA Training Program?