The first meeting of the TA training CoP was held on November 22, 2011. The topic of the discussion was An overview of TA training programs at UBC. This page gathers notes and thoughts about this meeting. Thanks to Anka (CHEM) for recording this meeting.

An overview of TA training programs at UBC

UBC TA Training; Community of Practice
Site content
	Main Page
	Overview by Departments
	CoP Meetings
	Site map

Bridge/Pre-Test

David (Math) and Eugenia (Stats) introduced the wiki which summarizes the TA Training program for each department. The Wiki admin added some pics! A reminder to visit and make updates to the wiki.

Objectives

There are some common elements to most or all of the TA training programs. The objective of the meeting was to discuss and share why and how some elements are included.

Elements of discussion

Culture of Teaching at UBC

(BIOL) Element included so that people from everywhere know how to adapt to the dynamic culture at UBC. Feedback to participants on the different ways of teaching was useful. Scenarios around teaching culture were discussed over lunch. Live scenarios are given where participants role play.
(STATS) Element was presented over a video which showed a bad TA and a good TA handling a situation. Stats also invites the Living Lab which is offered by CTLT to role play a situation and have participants tell the actors how the event should be re-enacted.
(ENGL) This element is discussed every 2nd Thursday at noon. English Professors are invited to speak about how to teach_______ (for example, how to teach drama). These meetings are held all semester long and participants receive a certificate at the end of the semester for successful participation. This seems to serve as an effective incentive for TAs.

Common Classroom Situations

(PHYS) This element is addressed with DVDS of Physics Tutorials where bad TAs and good TAs are illustrated. Socratic questioning is presented in the videos.
(CTLT) Joe offered to talk to the Living Lab folks at CTLT to create more scenarios geared towards TA training.

Orientation Workshop/Training

Varies from 2-16 hours among the programs
Social parties are held for some departments at the end of orientation. There was some discussion as to getting funding for these social events from the GSS.

Professionalism

(BIOL) Scenarios around professionalism are used
(MATH) Have experienced problems with professionalism with their TAs
(CHEM) Professionalism discussion is led by a Graduate Student Advisor with emphasis on policies and rules in place that must be followed.
(CTLT) Joe emphasizes that the goal of this element should be how to reason professionally.

Grading

(BIOL) Participants grade a student submission with and without a rubric to see how rubrics can help with consistency.
(PHYS) The separate courses are in charge of training the TAs on how to grade.
(ENGL) This session is difficult because many English Professors are moving away from writing a traditional rubric.
(STATS) A writing assessment is mandatory for all TAs. This assessment is written by TAs and marked. If a TA does not meet the writing requirements, it is recommended to the TA to complete some writing courses.

Accreditation/Certificates

(BIOL and ENGL) Hold sessions during term and TAs receive a certificate for participating
(CHEM and PHYS) No certificates or accreditation in place
(MATH) Financial award given at the end of the year for TAs who participate in an extensive professional development (which includes participating in an ISW etc).
(STATS) Killam nominees automatically receive a $500 award from the department.

Follow-up Sessions

(BIOL) A blog is used which takes the place of handbook. The blog includes various resources for TAs.
(ENGL) TAs are asked to write a self-evaluation that is NOT assessed.
(BIOL) TA are asked to write a reflection piece and are given feedback.

Side notes, thoughts and all