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ta development

Graduate Students have a range of options available to them to develop their teaching skills and further their professional development. We have listed a selection of options below.

Cross Cultural TA Program

Cross-cultural and international graduate students with an interest in developing skills designed for the Canadian higher-education classroom are invited to participate in this new program.

By the end of the program participating graduate students will be able to:

  • Establish clear personal, professional and pedagogical goals as they relate to teaching assistant duties;
  • Discuss and evaluate the cultural and pedagogical contexts within the Canadian undergraduate classroom environment;
  • Develop and apply effective communication and discipline-specific linguistic skills;
  • Discuss and demonstrate the ethics of teaching and learning in higher education;
  • Actively discuss, develop and apply learner-centred pedagogical approaches and instructional strategies

Following a peer-mentorship model, each session will involve a combination of skill development, micro-teaching, peer discussion, peer feedback and reflection.

Interdisciplinary Workshops

Designed to enhance the instructional and professional development skills of teaching assistants and graduate students with an interest in university teaching, this series will provide opportunities for participants to acquire pedagogical knowledge and practical skills essential to teaching in higher education.

Fall 2010 Graduate Student Workshops in University Teaching [download PDF]

Previous Workshop Resources

Microteaching

If you are interested in getting some immediate feedback on your teaching skills in a low-risk, learner-centered space, then microteaching is for you! Microteaching is a form of instructional training where small groups of peers videotape and observe each other teaching, provide feedback, and engage in discussion with the goal of improving one another’s instructional abilities. Please contact Natasha Kenny to book a microteaching session (a minimum of 3 participants/session is required).

Microteaching Instructions (PDF)

 

Winter Workshop

Register Now

This three hour workshop will provide an opportunity for Graduate Students to connect with their peers, and actively discuss tips and strategies for enhancing their approach to teaching and learning in higher education. Participants who attend this event will receive a detailed Letter of Participation outlining the objectives of the workshop and time committed to enhancing their pedagogical knowledge and skills. We are delighted to have two expert guests participate in this year’s workshop!

Detailed agenda (downloadable PDF)

 

Fall Conference

Each September, before classes commence, the TA Program hosts an annual conference for new and future TAs. This event provides TAs with opportunities to develop their teaching skills, connect with their TA peers, meet experienced faculty members, and discuss strategies for dealing with various instructional challenges and TA settings.

UTTP (University Teaching: Theory and Practice)

UTTP is a one-semester, interdisciplinary graduate course offered each Fall for 0.50 credit (pass/fail) or certificate. It examines a variety of teaching and learning issues/topics (e.g., lecturing, course design, assessment, active teaching approaches) on both a theoretical and practical level. This is achieved through a combination of learning activities and assignments, reflective in-class discussion, and course readings. Developing a teaching philosophy statement, participating in a videotaped teaching exercise, and preparing for and facilitating a "live teaching experience" are examples of possible course learning activities.

Individual Consultations

We offer individual and small-group consultations to foster the development of teaching assistants by providing advice and assistance related to specific teaching and learning issues.  Confidentiality is assured. Please contact Natasha Kenny for further information.

Teaching Assistant Advisory Council (TAAC)

TAAC is a volunteer team of experienced teaching assistants who share knowledge and provide advice to enhance TA training and professional development opportunities for graduate students at the University of Guelph.

International TA Support

Communicate is a short, six-week non-credit course for International (ESL/EAL) Teaching Assistants. It covers communication skills, the academic culture at the University of Guelph, pedagogical theory and provides an opportunity to practice teaching skills in a safe environment. In two of the classes, students practice by presenting micro-teaching exercises that are videotaped. A selection of other supports are also available. Contact Barbara Christian (ext. 6209 / email. bkchrist@uoguelph.ca) or visit the Learning Commons website for more information.

GSLI

The Graduate Student Learning Initiative (GSLI) is a collaborative endeavor that brings together key campus services to support graduate student learning, writing, library research and use of technology.  The GSLI offers a wide range of free workshops each semester.

Graduate Students' Day

In September, Graduate Program Services hosts a day of orientation for new graduate students and teaching assistants. For more information contact Barbara Christian (ext. 6209 / email. bkchrist@uoguelph.ca).

Graduate Program Services (GPS) Workshop Series

GPS in collaboration with other service units hosts a selection of professional development opportunities (e.g., interview skills, academic job search) through their World of Work Series. For more information, contact Isobel Heathcote, Dean of Graduate Studies (ext. 2441 / email. iheathco@uoguelph.ca).

Society for Teaching and Learning in Higher Education (STLHE)

STLHE is a national (Canadian) association of academics interested in the improvement of teaching and learning in higher education. The Society sponsors an annual conference, a series of workshops, an electronic bulletin board and the 3M Teaching Fellowships. The Society also publishes a bi-annual newsletter, Teaching and Learning in Higher Education, as well as a membership directory and a number of other directories.

Graduate students and TAs are encouraged to present and attend the STLHE annual conference and contribute to the STLHE listserv.

Teaching Development Program Passport

In recognition of their participation in the Graduate Student Teaching Development Program (TDP), students who complete a minimum of 12 hours of TDP workshops during their Graduate Studies at the University of Guelph will receive a Recognition of Participation signed by the Director of Teaching Support Services. Workshops offered as part of the TSS Interdisciplinary Workshop Series, the Fall Conference on University Teaching and the Winter Teaching Workshop can be used as contribution towards completion of this program.

Please note that only graduate student workshops and events offered as part of the Graduate Student Teaching Development Program can be used as contribution towards your 12 hour total.

To receive a Recognition of Participation, you must complete and submit a Passport, which allows you to document and track your total cumulative hours of participation in events offered as part of the Teaching Development Program. At the end of each workshop, the facilitator will provide a signed record of your participation. A copy of your Letter of Participation should be submitted with your passport to verify your participation in the Fall Conference and/or Winter Teaching Workshop.

Once you have completed a minimum of 12 hours of teaching development, please submit your completed passport and any supporting documentation to Natasha Kenny (Educational Development Associate, Teaching Support Services, Room 205, Day Hall).

Passports can be obtained at any Graduate Student Teaching Workshop or in the Teaching Resource Centre, Room 125, Day Hall.

If you require any further information regarding the Graduate Student Program please feel free to contact:

Dr. Gavan Watson
Educational Developer, Teaching Support Services
Day Hall 206
gavan.watson [at] uoguelph.ca
x. 56856

 

 

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New for Fall 2009

Teaching Development Program Passportpassport

Students who complete a minimum of 12 hours of teaching workshops during their Graduate Studies at the U of G will receive a signed Recognition of Participation.

Details and Contact Info

 
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Teaching Support Services • Day Hall, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada N1G 2W1 • 519 824-4120 x52973 • Fax 821-8530