TA training/CoP meetings/March 29, 2018

UBC TA Training Community of Practice
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TA Attendance/Participation in TA Training

Facilitators: Joseph Topornycky; Shaya Golparian

This page gathers notes and thoughts about this meeting.

Facilitated activities:

What are some possible reasons that TAs show up to TA Training?

• Pay them to come
• Anxious about new duties (Some felt the need; addressing critical incidents) ---> Consider: How do you offer TAs what they need when they need it
• Framed as job prep/wider skills
• It is normalized in the department
• Sense of integration & Purpose (through: Reflective practice; Application; Check-in/follow up) - What are the take aways?
• Community connection (W/peers)
• Aligned with what skills are needed first year/second year, etc
• Recognizing the Value of a TAship?

What are some possible reasons that TAs don’t show up to TA Training?

• Time/Competing demands

not being prioritized or not required

not urgent and/or feeling confident already (i.e.: "I'm fine with this topic already")

timing irrelevant for semester schedule/TA tasks (i.e: too late to be valuable or too early for the value to be recognized)

• Not clear what they can get out of it!
• No systematic TA Evaluation
• Needs assessment from last year is outdated (not relevant to incoming TAs)
• the name "TA Training" is not academic/professional sounding

looks like limited scope (TAing vs Teaching career)

Professional Development language sounds better

• "Went to some session already, wasn't useful"
• Too many thing on offer
• TAs are going to other departments' TA Training (e.g. BioTAP)

home program not advertised --> Suggestion: Have a website(?)

already took ISW and think that covers TA Training

• TAs don't know the TA Training in the department as a program
• Many don't know what they need

may not always consider deeper/longer term needs

Side Note: TA's don't always know what TA evaluations mean or how to read them

Group 1: How do you connect TA Training to TA values and larger goals?

• First Session: Connect TA works to how to be a professional in academia or elsewhere

Have them come up with ideas

• More regular informal sessions with just TAs (to build community)
• Each Session: How could what you have learned apply beyond TAship

Follow up on 1st session

• Connecting sessions to other professional development topics/needs

Group 2: How do you communicate the connection between TA Training and TA larger goals?

• Well organized website (information; images; resources)
• Change the name of the Program
• Tell in advance what the session is about
• Bring in people that can speak to how Teaching Professional Development (i.e.: TA Training) has helped them in their professional (or personal) lives, and helped them achieve their bigger goals.
• Have TAs brainstorm their goals and speak to how training sessions can help them meet those goals.
• Offer certification for skills not attendance (perhaps attendance + evidence of application of workshop in their roles as TAs)