Let’s Talk About │ Being a Undergraduate Teaching Assistant
This video underlines 5 quick tips to help you better prepare for teaching a class. I hope this video helps and if you have any questions in particular leave a comment. Apologies for the loud af fridge in the back.

Tips
1. Preparation
2. Knowledge of the class and don't be overbearing when teaching your students
3. Be prepared for questions, and don't always give the answer. Let them "figure it out"
4. Have a positive attitude about the class.
5. We are only human, we all make mistakes. :)

-Cheers

[ Ссылка ]
Definition of your duties: degree of interaction with profs varies widely! Check with your professor at the beginning of the semester as to his/her expectations about attendance at lectures, duties for keeping track of grades, help in xeroxing and handing out class materials etc, but as a general rule ‘check in’ frequently with the professor throughout the semester. It will also be extremely useful to consult the TA from last year. If you suspect any student of cheating do not try to deal with it yourself, but talk to the professor.It is a good idea to attend many of the prof’s lectures, at least toward the beginning of the semester, to become familiar with what level the professor expects, to observe where students have hang–ups, etc. Your perspective (listening to the professor lecture) as a fellow teacher will be very different from the one you had as a student taking a similar course.Think about your goals in teaching: the emphasis should not be on memorization of formulas or facts, but on helping students learn how to think critically, how to solve problems, how to find answers for themselves. Think about this in labs, and try to avoid spoon–feeding answers to students, but rather develop the ability to guide them in discovering answers or coming to conclusions for themselves. Value of TAing: even if you are absolutely certain you will never teach, it is extremely valuable experience in thinking and speaking on your feet. It helps you learn to transform passive into active knowledge. It is good practise for presenting/defending your ideas in a job situation, or on prelim exams. Also, teaching is something of a social responsibility, a payment for the privilege of satisfying our curiosity in doing basic research.Do not be overly concerned about whether your students ‘like’ you; be more concerned that they respect you, although of course it is important to show that you have a sense of humor, and it is important to show your enthusiasm for the subject and for the class. Let them know that you enjoy being there, that you regard the labs as a valuable way for them to learn the material and to get to know one another. Aim to be a professional.
Avoid the temptation to give lectures in lab; your goal should be to get students involved in hands–on work as quickly as possible, especially if they have received a lab handout in advance. Often it is better to just let students ask questions as they encounter difficulties; this approach lets students work at their own level and pace. (However, be prepared that some students will want more lecturing and spoon–feeding; you need to remind them that this is not the most effective way for them to truly learn the material.)When you do lecture, get the students actively engaged: move around the room, make eye contact, write important terms on the board (also maybe an outline of the major points to be covered), and ask some concept questions instead of just fact regurgitation. Do not use Powerpoint, unless it is imperative for you to show photos.It is great to show that you have a sense of humor, but do be sensitive, and avoid sexist, cultural or racial jokes; perhaps it is best to tell jokes on yourself.Do set forth clear grading guidelines, including policy for late work, in writing, at the very beginning of the year, and be reasonably strict about them (to protect the students from themselves!) - but be open to exceptions that are warranted in cases of medical or family emergencies. It is also fine to expect and enforce reasonable standards of neatness.Generally it is a good idea to encourage students to work with one another in labs, helping each other to learn; make sure to let them know this explicitly. Just make it clear that when it is time to hand in material, each person puts it in his/her own words.


Keywords:
UTA
Undergraduate Teaching Assistant
Teaching Assistant
Graduate Teaching Assistant
Teaching
Microbiology lab
Genetics Lab
GTA
Tips for Teaching a Lab

свернуть