TA Orientation 2015 Center for Teaching & Assessment of Learning

Teaching in a Science Lab: PhySicS and engineering

TA Fellows: Lloyd, Nicole; Kannan, Harsha and Yang, Fan

Introductions & Ice BreakerWe are:

Nicole LloydHarsha KannanJackie Yang

LET’S PLAY BINGO!!!

SessionOutline1. What does “teaching assistant” mean to

you?

2. What types of TAs are there in Physics and Engineering and what duties are involved for each TA?

3. How can you better yourself for the students and the professor?

4. Review Academic Policies in Small Groups 1

5. How can you balance your personal life with TA duties

6. Review Academic Policies in Small Groups 2

7. Summary

What does Teaching Assistant mean to you?

PART 1:

What types ofteaching assistants are

there in Physicsand Engineering?

• Course TA• Lab TA• Grading TA

PART 2:

What duties are involved for those

becoming a course/lecture TA?

PART 2a:

GeneralResponsibilitiesTA Lecturer? Not Yet!

Assist theProfessor

Help YourselfLearn

• Sit in on classes• Keep up-to-date on

lecture material• Pay attention to the

questions students ask

What duties are involved for those

becoming a Lab TA?

PART 2b:

GeneralResponsibilities

• Design/Conduct

experiments• Lead instruction

sessions• Ensure group

participation

• Review/Approve lab

work

Thingswill go wrong!!!

Stay Calm

Part 2c:

What duties are involved for those

becoming a Grading TA?

GeneralResponsibilities

• Be prepared to provide

your own solutions• Keep good records• Watch for copying

Tips for Grading• Communication with the professor is

the KEY! (sample contract?)1. If too much, split the work2. Make a schedule for yourself3. Have defined deadline from

professor4. Know when to share grades with

students• Make a rubric• Be forgiving of minor

mistakes• Don’t fear re-grading

• Effective and clear communication with professor regarding expectations, duties, and deadlines

• Quiet time for prepping class material/reviewing material

• Check email often, but schedule times to do so

• Extend office hours when exams or project deadlines are approaching

• Hold review sessions• Offer student study tips

PART 3: Preparation Tips

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Academic Policies Scenario 1

Work in Small Groups for an AnswerThe course instructor for your TA appointment emails you that one of the

students should receive special accommodations for his/her disability.

The professor is not certain what exactly should be done for this student, but he asks you to take care of it and then let him know as soon as possible

how to proceed.

Academic Policies Scenario 1: Answer1. Disability Support Services works closely

with students who need accommodations. Students must contact the DSS office, bring documentation of a disability, and discuss their disability and how it affects them academically. DSS will then email the professor with the specific needs of the student.

2. If this has not happened, encourage the student contact DSS to get the process started. Phone: 302-831-4643 Email: dssoffice@udel.edu

PART 4 – LifeManagementBalance personal/social life with

work responsibilities inside and outside the classroom

Tips for Balance and Efficiency • Plan ahead!

- look at your personal course syllabi and those for your TAclasses.

• Make a schedule and stick to it!• Be realistic with your tasks and

time to complete them• Know when to say NO• Know when to ask for help

Academic Policies Scenario 2You receive a phone call from Mr.

Juarez, who identifies himself as a concerned parent of Sarah Feldman-Juarez, a student in your discussion

section. He wants to know why Sarah received a D+ on her project after she worked so hard on it all weekend. He wants you to change his daughter’s grade or he will move his request up

the chain of authority.

Academic Policies Scenario 2: Answer

1. You cannot give out a student’s grades to anyone other than the student due to FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act), which is a Federal law that protects the privacy of student education records.

2. Until age 18, parents do have certain rights to their children’s educational records. When the student turns 18, these rights are transferred to the student.

3. So, you can’t give grades or other educational information to anyone other than the student (unless you have written consent of the student). If a parent does call to inquire about their child’s academic progress, the best way to legally handle this is to not discuss any issues with parents or anyone else other than the student.

4. You could also refer the caller to:• College advising office/Assistant Dean• Undergraduate admissions• Other appropriate academic administrative office• More Information can be found here:

http://www.udel.edu/registrar/faculty_staff/ferpa-fac.html

Scenario 2: Answer (continued)

Both you and the course instructor have clearly outlined

plagiarism policies in your syllabus and explained them to

the students in class. Nevertheless, as you are reading

one of your students’ final papers, you have a strong suspicion that

he is plagiarizing.

Academic Policies Scenario 3

There are a few steps you can take:1.First, don’t say anything to the student. You don’t want to upset a student for no reason and you need to take the appropriate steps in investigating suspected cases of academic dishonesty.2.You need concrete evidence that this is happening. So, document everything you can that indicates cheating or academic dishonesty.3.Write down what you saw4.Keep papers

Academic Policies Scenario 3: Answer

5. Take the case of academic dishonesty to the course instructor. Again, you need to provide evidence of cheating to the professor.

6. If you are the sole instructor of the course, gather evidence and take it to the Office of Student Conduct. This office will guide you through the procedures you should take if you encounter these types of violations.

7. According to UD policy, all acts or attempted acts of alleged student academic dishonesty need to be reported to the Office of Student Conduct.

Scenario 3: Answer (continued)

PART 5 –Summary• Communication,

Communication, Communication!

• Make a schedule and stick to it

• Prepare for classes • Plan ahead and leave room

for change or error

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