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HANDLING DIFFICULT
SITUATIONS
Amanda Black Akram Bin SediqDepartment of Law Department of Systems
and Computing Engineering
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OUTLINE
Importance of the workshop
Objectives
Topics of Discussion: Professor Relations
Marking
Student Interaction
Classroom Issues
Plagiarism
Conflicts of Interest
Conclusions: General Guidelines
Questions
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WHY THIS WORKSHOP?
Small problems poorly handled can :
distract you from performing your TA duties
cast a dark cloud on the semester
Common issues for all TAs
Develop skills to deal with various situations
that may arise
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OBJECTIVES
To be aware of potential sources of conflict
Discuss strategies for conflict management
Experience hands-on common conflicts TAs
may encounter
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SCENARIOS
TA
Professor Relations Marking Student Interaction
Classroom Issues Plagiarism and Cheating Conflicts of Interest
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PROFESSOR RELATIONS
Scenario: Work overload
You are a TA for a third year class. Your assignment of duties form indicates that
your 130 hours are allocated to marking 5 mini papers, a mid-term assignment
and final exam. Since the course material is unfamiliar to you, the professor
suggests you attend the lectures and complete all the readings. By the mid-
term you are concerned that you will exceed your hours.
In a group of 3, answer the followings What would you do?
How can you prevent such a situation from happening?
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Possible issues?
-Time Management
-Organization (or lack thereof)
-Availability/Communication
-Personality Conflicts
Can you think of any other issues that may arise?
PROFESSOR RELATIONS
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Possible issues:
-Student desires a higher grade
-Student feels you marked incorrectly
-Student takes mark personally
Can you think of any other
possible issues that may arise?
MARKING
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MARKING
Video: Why Did You Take Points Off?
http://www1.umn.edu/ohr/teachlearn/tutorial
s/conflict/scene1/index.html
As you watch this video, try to think of possible
answers to: What would you do in this situation?
How can you prevent such a situation from happening?
What were some positive/negative aspects of how the TA dealt with this
situation?
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Scenario: Noise in class/lab
You are facilitating a tutorial and reviewing a problem on the board when a
student begins talking continuously to the person beside him. At first, they
keeps their voice low, however gradually the volume begins to rise and you
pick up enough bits and pieces to realize they are talking about the
weekend. You are frustrated as the noise level in the class has increased
steadily since the first week which may impede the learning of other
students.
In a group of 3, answer the followings What would you do in this situation?
How can you prevent such a situation from happening?
CLASSROOM/LAB ISSUES
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Possible issues:
-Noise levels
-(Dis)Respect among students
-(Dis)Respect towards you
-Learning abilities/styles
CLASSROOM/LAB ISSUES
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Possible issues:
-Learning (dis)abilities
-ESL/International Students
-Respect among students
-Respect between students and the TA
-Professionalism
STUDENT INTERACTION
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Video: Office Hours
http://www1.umn.edu/ohr/teachlearn/tutorial
s/conflict/scene5/index.html
After you watch this video, discuss the following
questions with the person next to you: What would you do?
How can you prevent such a situation from happening?
STUDENT INTERACTION
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PLAGIARISM AND CHEATING
Scenario: Cheating on an examYou are running the first test of the term in your class. The test begins, after
15 minutes you notice two students looking over at each other’s papers.
You walk over to an area near the students, hoping that your presence will
act as a deterrent and the two students will stop sharing their work. In spite
of this, the two students continue with their behaviour.
In a group of 3, answer the following: What would you do in this situation?
How can you prevent such a situation from happening?
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How can it occur?
Exams/tests/assessments
Assignments/labs/papers
Academic Integrity Policy at Carleton University:http://www2.carleton.ca/studentaffairs/academic-integrity/
http://www2.carleton.ca/studentaffairs/ccms/wp-content/ccms-
files/integrity_full_document.pdf
PLAGIARISM AND CHEATING
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CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
•Relationships
•Friends
•Dating
•Social Networks
•Professionalism
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CONFLICT OF INTEREST
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CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
Friendships:
Should you be friends with your students?
Dating:
Should you date your students?
Professionalism:
How much information should you share?
Are there certain behaviours that are
unprofessional for a TA?
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GENERAL GUIDELINES (HANDOUT)
1. Know the procedures for dealing with specific
conflicts
2. Be sensitive to the emotions that may result
3. Listen actively before developing a complete
response
4. Look for compatible points of agreement
5. Brainstorm your solution options (take your time!)
6. Use equity and fairness in your procedures
7. Be clear with your decision and reasoning
8. Separate the person from the problem